Thankful Thursday - Throwback to the Chile Mission days

Oh my heck!  Yes, that is totally a Utah phrase.  It's for us Mormons who are trying to curb our swearing.

So, I get a call yesterday from Luke practically yelling with excitement!  Elder Poujol is HERE!  In the United States!!  Remember how they were companions when Luke served a mission for our church in the Chile, Osorno mission?   Mauricio has long stayed Luke's good friend.

(February of 2009)

and video of him just playing around.  I hear Luke's spanish and forgot how fast and fluent he was

I really wanted to post the video of his awesome blue dart (my son taught every non-american companion how to do a blue dart) but Splenda stopped me.  I guess if Mauricio says it's okay, I'll throw it up sometime.  It's AWE.SOME!


 They were BFF's in the mission and not much has changed since they both went home.  Mauricio to Honduras and Luke to the states.

Well, it seems that ANOTHER missionary companion of theirs is getting married this weekend and Mauricio came all the way from Honduras for a week to join in the festivities!!    I have always wanted to meet this kid and Wednesday night was the night!

What a freakin delight!  He speaks English very well and is truly one of the happiest people I have ever met.  He is working on his bachelors degree in Industrial Engineering in Honduras and then plans on coming out to BYU for his Masters.  Yippee!!  We will get him close by!

Luke came up from Orem, picked him up and brought him home for dinner.  First thing Mauricio told me is that I am his grandma.  Apparently, in their mission, your trainer was your "dad".  Luke was his trainer and zone leader for a period of time.  So the joke was that Luke was his "dad", which made me his "grandma".

Wonderful kid!  Outstanding human being.  The LDS church isn't as large in Honduras as it is here, so he does multiple callings - jobs that he doesn't get paid for.  I admire that in people, who serve simply because they love their church and believe in it's cause.

We had a chance to visit, the boys looked over some mission pictures and videos and of course my camera was at the ready!

Mauricio is here until Sunday and then back to Honduras until next year.  His family will be coming out for General Conference.  He has instructions to bring his younger sister.  If she is half as beautiful, kind, respectful, generous, outgoing, pleasant as her brother - Imma snatch her for Luke!

So for this Thankful Thursday, I am more than thankful for the choice Luke made to serve a mission and the privilege he had to serve with such an awesome young man!  I am thankful for how well Luke speaks Spanish.  He said the prayer tonight on the food and I asked him for espanol.  I love that language.  It's a comfort language for me!  I'm thankful for all the good that has come to  Luke's life from his two years in Chile - including Mauricio Poujol!

An open letter to my Token Male Reader

Dear Token Male Reader,

You know who you are.  You that lives in a very sunny warm place.  You, who just got your mission call and will be heading east and speaking Mandarin Chinese.  You, who doesn't have an email with your comment so I could reply privately.

Yeah you!

Congratulations!  I couldn't be happier for any other perfect stranger than I am for you!  You are about to undertake a most amazing and growing experience.

I wonder if I could trouble you for a favor.  Maybe two years worth of favors.........????

I have been missing my Monday Missionary updates.  I've had a few readers who've mentioned they miss them too.  Would you be willing to drop me a small note on your P-days, I mean Preparation Days, and give us an update?  You can stay anon if you like, you can send it to my email.  If your mission rules state only one email to family per week, could you include a paragraph in your parents email and they could forward to me?

I would love to hear all about your adventures, your experiences and amazing stories that you are certain to have.  It would make for fun reading and learning on my end.  Below is the picture I'll use just for your profile only.  Unless, you want to get brave, and "come out".  Otherwise, you will be heretofore be known as "The Male Token Reader what is now a Missionary"  (yes I used improper English, it's an inside joke)

Anyhoo, MTR - I would love it if you would participate, I will also understand if you can't.

Drop me a line via email  here

And any 'posers' who try to dupe me into thinking they are the MTR - I will definitely know!

Sincerely,

The silly old blogger that wants more missionary stories from a young entertaining lad, M-Cat.

My final Missionary Monday post

Yesterday was it. His report to our ward and the last time he wore his missionary badge.

After an amazing meeting, which, NGL - the kid did a great job. I loved his every word, and wondered so much, who WAS this man that he has become. Nothing ever quite prepares a mother to see the changes in her son that comes from 2 years of complete sacrifice, devotion and consecration to his belief and faith in God. 2 years of doing nothing but the Lord's work. 2 years of serving other people and sharing a message of happiness.

After the meeting, he hung out in the foyer of the church while Splenda and I raced home to pull out the food and get the party started. I gave my camera to a couple of people and asked for random pictures.



























I only wish I would have stayed behind at the church and let others get lunch set up. There were so many people who came, visited with him, but didn't make it back to the house, therefore I missed them.

Again - a HUGE thank you to all the family and friends who made the say so special. From the minute I woke up to the minute I laid my exhausted head on my pillow, I was exhilarated.

And if I can get my movie maker software to work, I'll get his talk and testimony (in Espanol) loaded for anyone who missed it.

PSA - A VERY important PSA

Elder L - Luka, will be reporting on his mission Sunday January 11, 2010 at 11:00am in our ward house.

If you happen to live in the area, or close enough you would like to attend, we would LOVE to have you!

We'll also be serving a light lunch after the meeting at our home, so you could actually see the M-Cat's ghetto abode.

If you are interested, leave a comment with your email, and after I make sure you're not a serial killer or other kind of cukoo, I'll pass on the specific deets to you and then look forward to having you with us!

xoxoxox

M-Cat

Whirlwind Weekend Wrap Up

From the minute we walked in the door with our returned missionary, it has been one giant whirlwind.

His first order of business was to shower. Funny stuff? He felt weird being alone, and he forgot how to work the shower. Tuffy was a great comp for the first hour.

We opened Christmas and gave him a tour of his home once again. He showed us some cool things he brought back from Chile, and before we knew it, it was time to head to the Stake President's office for his official release.

After meeting with Elder L first, the rest of us were welcomed in. It was a very sweet and special time. President Winder gave some great counsel to not just Elder L, but to all of us.

He is an official missionary no more. Mixed feelings from everyone.

We headed to dinner at our traditional family place and he shared stories and experiences. He was still having a hard time getting used to things. The fact that everyone around him was speaking English was very weird to him.

After dinner, our home was inundated with family and friends! It was wonderful! So many came to greet him, see how he was, welcome him home and just BE with him. It was fun to listen to him talk and the best part for me was just BEING with him. Sitting on the couch, rubbing his feet or scratching his back or just watching his face as he spoke and seeing his mind work to find the English words when Spanish was dominating his thoughts.

Saturday we spent getting him some new clothes and a coat. Sissy and her mom came over and she got to meet L again. At first, she was a little shy with him, but once he offered her candy, she was putty in his hands.

He and Tuffy spend some time shopping together and getting dinner. Once they got back home, more friends came over.

Tuffy, BFF and Luka

Playing with Sissy

More Sissy

Brothers

Even Jordan didn't take long to remember her boy
Today was an early morning meeting with the High Council to report to them his mission and testimony. They also asked Splenda and I to share ours. It was an awesome opportunity and one I will never forget. It was so sweet and the feeling in the room is one that is etched on my soul forever.

It has been a delight to have him home. To have him hanging around the house. To feel his spirit and soak up his goodness. We feel more complete with him here now. I realize he likely won't be here for too long. He has school in mind and marriage somewhere in the mix as well, though he's not in a huge rush, but I am going to enjoy him while I can. More importantly I am going to learn as much as I possibly can from this person who I left at the MTC 2 years (and 2 weeks ago) as a boy and then returned home a wise, confident and extraordinary man.

This is definitely one of the things I love about my church and my religion. We send these young people out to serve missions. A mission includes more than just proselyting, and trying to share the gospel message. It's more than just baptizing people and trying to reactivate those who have fallen away. It includes service for others and personal growth and development. He has learned things he could have never learned anywhere else and this has defined who he is now, and who he will become.
As a missionary mom, it has been an experience that I can't even begin to put into words. Words are inadequate, but I hope that somehow, anyone reading this can FEEL me. FEEL my happiness, my gratitude and my humbled spirit.

I can no longer refer to him as Elder L. I asked him what he wanted his blog pseudonym to be, and he told me Luca. Look it up in a Spanish dictionary.

Luca - I am beyond proud of you, and so happy that you would be willing to sacrifice and consecrate your life for 2 years (and 2 weeks), to your Heavenly Father and do the things He asked of you. You selflessly served in a foreign country, in extreme conditions, learning a whole new language and strange culture. You loved others when they were hard to love. You lifted depressed spirits, encouraged doubters, and were helping hands when aid was needed. You learned to love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then transmitted that love to others, bringing them to their Savior.

You dealt with constant rain, cold, fleas, rats, spiders, intestinal worms, food poisoning, no food, holey socks, worn out shoes, mud, dog poop, torn clothing, sunburns, rocks being thrown at you, threatened assaults and more that you haven't even told us yet. You did it because you believe, nay, you know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. You did it because you wanted to be obedient. You did it because you love God and you love others more than yourself.

I only hope I can live to be as good as you when I grow up.

01/01/2010 - Returning with Honor

I was up at 5:00 and logged into my computer working on system stuff until almost 9. At which point, I said, that's it dude, I am done!

Cleaned the house, while Splenda hung up the awesome banner the Shark made for me. We then got the yellow bows tied on, and our BFF's the B's brought over a beautiful balloon bouquet.
Everything was coming together. We were showered and ready to go, just killing some time, when Splenda checked the airline website once more.
To our surprise, his flight was 25 minutes EARLY!!

I grabbed my poster and ran out the door. Splenda loaded the two brothers and was not too far behind me. Made calls to notify the few others that were also coming and was hoping that everyone would make it on time.

I got the bottom of the escalators where the incoming passengers end up (near the baggage claim) and began the wait. Patiently. Okay, not patiently, but I was holding it together pretty well.

The flight board noted that the plane was now on the ground. We positioned ourselves right at the bottom of the escalators with a perfect view to see him come around the corner and head right toward us.

Watching. Watching. More Watching. Here comes a couple of missionaries....is he there? No. Watching. Watching and still more watching. Splenda overhears another family who is also waiting say that they have missed the flight. I refuse to believe it. Splenda checks with the airlines. They refuse to give out any information.
I stand there still with my sign held up, just watching and the slow realization is coming over me that he isn't coming.

A gentleman approaches us and asks if we are waiting for a missionary from Chile. Yes, we are. So is he. He passes on the information that all 4 of them traveling together missed the flight. I looked at him and said, "No." He looked back at me and said, "Yes." Again, I looked at him, this time for emphasis, shook my head and said a little stronger, "NO". He didn't even blink when he repeated, "Yes."

My heart literally sunk. What the? He explained, AGAIN, that they all four missed the flight. One of the missionaries called their parents and assured us that they were on the next one which was due to land in about 45 minutes or so.

I slowly walked over to the chairs. Set my sign down and tried to pretend I was okay. The missionaries luggage had made the flight so Splenda and the boys headed over to the baggage carousel to find his bags. I decided I needed a diet coke.

We all sat around making small talk and checking our watches. Splenda, me, Tuffy, C, Grandma Sue and Grandpa John, Grandma Joy, and our BFFs, the B's. It helped to have them all there to make the time go by quickly. Soon, the board listed his flight as on the ground and we took up our positions again.
Finally!!

Already flashing gang signs

Moving in for a hug from BFF and "sister he never had". Tuffy, SB and JM watching

Hug from BFF DB and second Mom

Mijito

Prolly asking for an explanation as to why HE didn't call when they missed the flight. He thought he didn't have any money. Totally forgot the hunert bucks he had hidden in his wallet from the day we dropped him off at the MTC.

Mi familia - yes my eyes are closed. What of it? I was happy for crying out loud!

More family

The hombres l-r: C, JM, Elder, GB, and Tuffy

My three sons!

Grandma Joy, Elder, Grandma Sue and Grandpa John (who he met for the first time)

BFF hug.

All of us! l-r: SB, DB, GB, JM, Grandma Joy, WB, Elder, Me, Splenda, C, Tuffy, Grandma Sue and Grandpa John (thanks kind stranger for taking the pic)

Introduced to Molly and his first glimpse of her

My boy. My SON! Finally home.

After 28 hours of travel, no sleep, very little to eat, no shower and no teeth brushed, he felt gross and exhausted. Plus he was a little worried about his long hair. His last cut in Chile was horrible so he decided he was going to just wait until he got home.

No matter to me, I thought he was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen!

Welcome home mijito!