#1's Weekly Email: Week #5

It's so funny to see #1 in jeans, as you'll see in her first picture. It is only on their Preparation Day (P-day) that they can move away from the usual dresses and skirts and Elders from suits.

Needless to say, these girls are EXCITED. They are now the oldest missionaries heading to their mission in the MTC. It's funny to think that somewhere in the Olongapo Mission some sister will be called to be #1's first companion. I really wonder what she'll be like. It used to be, from what I understand, that the North American missionaries had to have native companions. I'm curious to see if that's still the case.

I now get photos from Sister T. and Sister P., so that's super great! I love that they so willingly share. #1 did, however, take her own photos this week. She was lacking a card reader. There you go, parents who are preparing to send missionaries off in the future, don't forget a card reader that they can hook into the computers there at the MTC and upload their photos. I ordered her one and had it shipped to her, and now life is hunky dory.

Okay, so I put the most important things in bold lettering so you can cruise through this email if you don't have time to peruse its intricacies. The foreign words are in italics and are translated at the very bottom of the post.

 Here you go....

Enjoy!

Kumusta mga Pamilya ko!

How are you guys? Life here is just plain awesome. Wanna know why?! I got my travel plans!

We're flying from Salt Lake to San Fran to TOKYO! :D We get to spend TWO hours in TOKYO! I'M SO EXCITED! I'm going back to Japan :) Seriously I'm overjoyed. I'm gonna go eat a bunch of jumbos and a bunch of their chocolate bars and yup. That's how it's gonna be.

So on Tuesday, all the girls in my district played the funniest prank on my kasama. It was PERPEKTO. Sister W. pulled her shirt halfway over her own head and had her super long hair hanging out of the bottom and it looked like she had a beard. She makes the funniest faces ever. So while my kasama was in the shower, she went and sat on her bed and got under the covers. She was sitting on Sister T's pillow and was hiding behind the closet door. We turned off all the lights and sat by the door at the desk with the desk light on. Sister T finally showed up and put her clothes away and then turned to her bed. She kind of looked at the head of her bed for a second and then Sister W. chuckled and Sister T. jumped back a foot and then screamed. It was the Funniest Thing I have seen in such a long time.  Oh man I'm still laughing about it and it was days ago.

The other night we wanted to talk so Sister P., Sister S., Sister T., and I went out behind the MTC and talked and stargazed. It was awesome. We almost felt normal again for a second.

We're learning so much. We've kind of started reviewing things since we only have 9 days left here. It's crazy to think that we've already been here for a month. It totally flew by.

Every day we either have gym time where we go work our butt off or we go play piano.

Oh, I'll be buying a calling card and I'm gonna call you guys in when we're at the Salt Lake airport so be sure to be home on the 29th in the morning. At like 9-ish. Our flight leaves around 11:15.

I'll be sending home stuff I don't want to take to the Philippines with me this next week, ok? So if you get a package from me, that's what it is.

Our whole district gets to host the newbies this next Wednesday and Sister P. and Sister S. and Sister T. and I were chosen to be part of this teaching experience that they do ever Wednesday night for the newbies. They put all the newbies in different rooms but in huge groups and they have an "investigator" in there (they're really just converts that have interesting stories) and then a companionship comes in and starts the discussion with the "investigators" and then the newbies take over. It's gonna be awesome. And all the companionships that are chosen are recommended by their teachers. So that means that our teachers like us a lot and think that we'd be good examples for the new missionaries. No pressure or anything. Oh and another thing. We get to do it in English... pero we've only ever taught in Tagalog so we don't know how to do it in English! hahaha we'll see what happens. It's gonna be so fun.

Earlier this week some of the sisters and I got priesthood blessings from our elders. i'm so grateful that we're surrounded by the priesthood here. it's awesome. And that all these elders are worthy to hold it is pretty incredible too.

Ummm I think that's it. I'm definitely gonna write #5 this week and I might send him a t-shirt too (don't tell him that). When the email home to you said that "[T.] pointed [#4] out" or whatever it said, I was about to go all crazy white girl on T. hahaha good thing I didn't. Um you don't need to send cookies. I've got enough food over here... But if you could send me a jar of nutella and a box of cheezits I would love that. I think that's everything.

I love you guys and I miss you and I hope everything's going good at home.

Mahal kita!

-Sister Hess

p.s. I'll send you pictures of everything. Including our classroom, the drinking fountain in our building, and the bathroom.

Top left to bottom right (in #1's own words):

TOP ROW:

• Classroom: This is the room that I've been stuck in everyday for the last MONTH.
• Mga dink: One of our zone leaders favorite words is Dink. he calls us dinks all the time...
• Desks: These are mine and Sister T.'s desks.
• Birthday!: It was Sister P.'s birthday this last week. and behind the banner is the first vision and our purpose in Tagalog.

MIDDLE ROW:

• Air con: This is the air conditioning unit in our classroom. Every single day, I stand on my chair and close the vent cuz it's so freaking cold and my chair's right next to it....
• View: This is the view from our window. the sunsets are absolutely amazing here every single night.
• Hallway: This is the hallway right outside of our bathroom.
• Stairwell: This is the stairwell right outside of our hallway. We study here all the time, and it was out this window that Sister P and I saw President Monson :)

BOTTOM ROW:

• Drinking fountain!: This is our drinking fountain :)
• Bathroom: This is the bathroom in our building :) You said you wanted pictures of everything...
• Computer: This is the computer and tv that we use everyday in class.
• Computer lab: This is the computer lab where we do TALL (our language computer program. I absolutely hate it)

Tagalog-English Translation

Kumusta mga Pamilya ko: Hello, my family

Kasama: companion

Perpekto: perfect (probably didn't need to translate this one, huh?)

Mahal kita: I love you

Okay, I HAVE to share one more thing with you.....Today, among the photos #1 sent was this:

The caption read something like this:

"Our building is named after this cutie. His name is Heber C. Kimball, and this is his picture. Hehe"

Oh, my dear girl! This is the one leader of the early Church that you are, from what I understand, related to. "Hehe" is right.

Gotta Hold onto the Streak

I knew it was going to be out late last night and that I wouldn't want to write when I got home before I went to bed, so I jotted a little list of my bads and goods while I waited for #s 2 and 3 to get done with EFY.

One of my goods happened after the list was written, so here they are--the goods and bads of July 16th, 2013:


Bads

• The Oregon Association of American Mothers, Inc. parting with the National Association of American Mothers, Inc. (Please note that what follows is all personal opinion).

I have been a member of this group for the past three-ish years. I believe this is a wonderful, worthwhile organization to be involved in. I will continue to be part of my state group, but I have learned that most of my hang ups about this association have been rooted in the deteriorating national organization. It's been very interesting to watch, as an innocent by-stander, and see an organization switch gears from the things it was originally based on.

It has become clear that the greatest motive for this group is not necessarily to do the right thing for its clientele but to do what the majority wants it to do. They want to be popular. I'm sorry, but the traditional role of mothers will never hold a majority in our society or be very popular; therefore, somebody's got to part ways. In this case, Oregon was the first to step up and walk away. And so one wonders, who will champion the cause of the traditional mother? Not this group anymore, it seems. Sad. So, Oregon will carry itself and continue to stand up for the role of mothers.

The saddest part of this is that it divides us from others who are in other state associations. That has been a wonderful reassurance--to know that there are other mothers in other states who are working toward the same ends.

• Not getting #1's package sent. 

I woke up early to get kids off to various activities. By the time I was getting kids to EFY, I could feel a headache starting in. By the time I got home to the medicine (I really haven't had many in so long that I don't carry the medicine with me on a regular basis), the headache was full blown.

I pretty much got nothing done. No cookies, no music picked out, nothing in a box. I made the realization later that if I sent it today, it would have to be shipped and wait out the weekend. I don't want the cookies to have to wait that long, so the plan now is to ship one box with the non-perishable items and send the cookies on Monday (unless someone in Provo wants to make them and deliver them. That'd be amazing!).

Goods

• I got the blanket made.

This is a long story. Whenever someone we know and love has a baby, we make them a blanket. #1 mentioned, in one of her letters, that her MTC teacher's wife had just had their first baby. We decided to make him a blanket and send it to #1 and her MTC bubs so they could gift it to him. It just needs to get into that package and make it there before they leave the MTC. It turns out, and I didn't know this until #1 said it in last Saturday's email, that this will be the last class he will teach at the MTC. Teachers there are given a three year job. His tenure is ending.

• The Oregon Association of American Mothers, Inc. parting with the National Association of American Mothers, Inc.

This is both good and bad. I know this was a very hard thing for our organization to do. Back on June 12th, a letter was sent to the National organization with the hope that it would open communication and that they would work to resolve some of our concerns. Nothing of the sort happened. From what I saw, the replies were rather contentious in nature. This made me sad, but it made me happy to know that we were making the right decision.

I, to be honest, was shocked at some of the language chosen for those letters. I almost wondered if they'd been read through before they'd been sent.

I am proud of the women I've served with. They are now on new ground--their own ground and they can do with the organization as they please. Way to go, ladies! Way to stand up for what you believe in.

• A Girls' Night Out

I have a VERY dear friend who, from time to time, will call me up randomly and ask if I can run away that evening. Yesterday was that day. YAY! We went and got appetizers at Applebee's and sat and talked over all of the major events in our lives. I absolutely treasure my friendship with this woman. I don't know what I'd do without her. We laughed and cried and finally returned to our homes around 1:00am. 

I am better because I know her. I am grateful for friends like this. I often feel that they are somehow hand-chosen for me. I have, in most of the chapters of my life, had a confidante. I don't think this is by chance.

And Just Like That....She's Gone

Wellllll, she's off, and I (yes, me. Crier of all criers) didn't cry. Okay, so I got a bit teary and I wouldn't let go of her when she hugged me and I couldn't just walk out of the airport and leave her waiting in that big old security checking line and I had to watch her all the way until I couldn't see her anymore, but, and this is a BIG BUT, I didn't cry.

To be honest, I feel like I kind of blew it by not crying. If there was ever a time when tears were appropriate, this was it. I should have cried. Okay, I did for a bit this morning when Zan gave her his last father's blessing before he went to work. It was beautiful and included everything that needed to be pronounced upon her. Lovely. Yes, I cried and nearly sobbed.

The airport was a ZOO. We got there two hours early. #1 had assured me that she would only need her ID in order to get her boarding pass. Hmm....Maybe that's why I had the impression that I should print off that email she forwarded to me with her itinerary on it, but I didn't do it. DUMB! Listen and do....listen AND do! We needed the confirmation number, so not having a smart phone, I called a dear friend, instructed her on how to access my email account, and she gave me the number. Thanks, Christy!

All of that was really no problem at all. It was the checking of the bags that was tricky. You should have seen that line! UGH! Seriously it went on FOREVER! We went to one line, and then the Warden decided that the better idea would be to go to the skycap outside and check them there on the curb. Again, the line was long; although, not nearly as long as the one inside the airport.

Right after we got settled in that line, a woman came dashing out of the airport with a very concerned look on her face. No question she was frazzled, but little did I know, she was our tender mercy. She was frantically searching for a place to check her bags. Her two children, probably ages 7 and 10, were in tow. She made her plight very public. A man sitting down the way asked where she was headed. Her response: "Salt Lake." Wait! She was going the same place, but she was frantic. Were we supposed to be frantic? Hmm...Maybe so.

The man directed her to go inside and find the "woman in red." She would help them.

Alrighty, then. We were off too. #1 and I took off and trailed the woman. We ended up standing in front of the ONLY guy who was checking in our flight, but we were also standing right in front of all of the people checking their bags for our flight. I don't think they were too happy that we intended to cut in front of them.

I asked the people in line if they were bound for Salt Lake. They were, so I proceeded back farther and farther and eventually ended up in the back of the line. The woman with the children, still frantic, told everyone she was going to Salt Lake and needed to get in line in front of them, which she proceeded to do. No one argued. Nice of them. For some reason, it seemed she thought she was going to be the only one on that plane, or at least, the only one that mattered.

We, eventually, got ourselves to the front of the line and paid the money to check the bags. I was impressed with that poor Delta airlines worker who was so friendly and genial when I'm sure he has to deal with grumpy people, one after another after another. He was so great to us.

We hurried to the family, took a few pictures, hugged #1 like crazy, and let her go. But, I couldn't just let her go. It was weird. I wanted to watch her until  I couldn't watch her anymore, but remember....I didn't cry. I got close, and I teared up, but not a tear dropped and the tissue remained in my pocket--bit old wad that it was.

She serpentined her way through, passed security without a hitch and off she went without turning back.

#1 just called a few minutes ago. She is with my sister's middle daughter, who also happens to be named Julie (we're both named for my grandmother) in Salt Lake. They were heading to dinner..... Thank goodness! #1 wasn't able to eat at all this morning because of the excitement.

Tomorrow, #1'll check into the MTC around 1pm. I'm so thankful she has Julie. Julie also served a mission. Her's was to Argentina. She will make sure #1 gets there safe and sound and that she'll have a blast in the meantime.

I created a Spotify station this morning that is comprised of songs that #1 plays on the piano frequently. If you've ever heard Cristofori's Dream, that's the main song that reminds me of her. When we got home from the airport. I turned on the Spotify channel. This was the first one to play. I just thought it was so fitting for the day and her situation....and mine.





I teared up, but....I still didn't cry.

Creating Our Own MTC

We had stake conference over this past weekend, as I mentioned in the previous post. One of the things that stuck with me from what was said was the fact that now that the mission age is younger, we have more need to better and earlier prepare our kids for missions and for life. In other words, we need to make our homes into missionary training centers.

Monday night, at Family Home Evening, we discussed this idea and worked on formulating a plan for our home. We went around the circle and each person gave one idea of what needs to exist here in order for each of them to be a bit better prepared for someday when they each become missionaries.


Here's what we came up with (I wonder if you can tell whose idea each was):

image: lifethroughthelensblog

•  Be nice to each other.
  If people aren't nice, they have to sit together until they can come up with ten nice things they can say about each other.

•  Read the scriptures.
  Read daily individually and as a family.
  Have a chart.
  Read the entire Book of Mormon this summer. Those who do will get to go to dinner together.

•  No contention.
  Share freely.
  Serve others.

**As a side note: Lately, I've been very verbal as I've shared things with my kids. I've given them the best part of whatever it was and then said, "I'm giving you the best trusting the Heavenly Father will give me His best." I truly believe this. I think many people call this "karma."

At the Children's Museum in Portland

•  Have fun.
  We agreed that being a missionary needed to be fun at times. There needs to be balance in life.
  Have a weekly family activity.
  I need to buy a new container to hold our activity ideas.
  I need to update the activity ideas for the container.

•  Personal prayer.
  Morning and evening.
  #1 has been given the assignment to talk to a friend who makes words with vinyl. We'll put these right above every bedroom light switch in the house.

•  Obey.
  Do things the first time you're asked.
  Strive to be 100% obedient.

•  Education.
  Everyone will graduate from high school (Umm...yah, that's kind of a given), but it is a mission requirement, so we thought we'd include it.
  Learn a language. We decided on Spanish even though I spent some time with the Rosetta Stone Tagalog version. On Sunday, I heard a woman behind us at church say "lalaki," and I knew she was speaking Tagalog. That was pretty cool. We figure Spanish is very usable and close enough to English that none of us will be blown out of the water by it, and it's extremely useable. Bummer for the Warden who already knows Spanish, but I guess he can tutor us, right?

•  Skills.
  Okay, this one was mine. I challenged the kids to take on new skills with the thought of the impact it could have as they serve as missionaries.
  Each took the challenge to learn at least three hymns on the piano. I'm a lousy piano player, but I was called upon over and over again to play at various meetings.

•  Service.
  Do more as a family and as individuals.
  Jump at every chance that comes your way whether planned or spontaneous.
  Have service activities in the family activity jar.


This seems like as good a place as any to start. We're already doing some of these things, but it will be good to put forth more effort because we're not perfect at any of this yet.

#1 has 49 days left in our home. It's strange to think that it won't be long until #2 leaves and then #3 and so on and so on and so on. So grateful for this experience for our kids. It will definitely be life changing. What an opportunity to step beyond yourself and care for others' needs.

A Happy Return

Insomnia returns.....

4a.m. - coughing....not me, the boy having the asthma problems downstairs.  I thought he was coughing to the point of throwing up, but was happy to hear that that was not the case.  Close, but not quite.  The Warden got him some puffs, and they both went back to bed.

Laid awake.

Went to a meeting last night as I walked in, I could hear "All the Single Ladies" blasting (as much as can be while little ones are asleep upstairs) and #s 1 and 3 singing along.  I walked by and found the three oldest children in the kitchen doing dishes and basically straightening and cleaning the room as they danced around (well, the girls were dancing around, #2--not so much).

I went upstairs and the Warden sat in a beautifully clean bedroom.  When I had left, the floor had been taken over by clean laundry.  He not only folded it ALL, but he'd had the kids put it away.  LOVELY!  I married such a good man.

During the insomnia, I decided that I have made my life too complicated.  I require too much of myself--my expectations are too high.  I decided that I need to go back to the basics, and I need to learn to be okay with that.  There are too many other complications right now.  For me to complicate life further is foolish.

I turned to Flylady.  Wow!  What a change!  Her site is organized and easy to maneuver through.  I've decided to return to her basics and just go for it each morning.

One thing hit me as I started following her morning routine this morning.  She says, "Empty dishwasher."  HaHa!  She doesn't mention empty and fill dishwasher.  I rarely, if ever, empty my dishwasher not to find other dishes there in the sink waiting to go in.  So, dishes are running, sink's clean, and I'm dressed and ready to go.  Such a good feeling.

It took quite a bit of positive self-talk to get myself out of bed, but I knew I had to be out before I was invaded by little people.  Feeling that I conquered something just by doing that much.  Now, I'm feeling happy that at least I'm ready, no matter what's thrown at me today. 

Looking Forward

2012!  For twelve years, I've been dreading 2012, and here it is staring me in the face just a few days away--the year our oldest child will leave the roost.  In many ways, though, I'm excited.  She's a good kid.  She'll do good things for this world.

As I'm looking ahead at 2012, here are the other things that lie ahead for the Madhouse:

Tomorrow, #4 will turn 12, so in January, he will become an Aaronic Priesthood holder and pass the sacrament at church on Sundays.
In February, there will be the American Mothers Gala and the Mother of the Year will be named.
In March, the Warden and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Also in March, I'm hoping for a trip to Disneyland--think I'll be able to talk the Warden into that one?
In April, I will graduate from college and #3 will receive her Young Womanhood Recognition Award.
In August (I think), as already mentioned, #1 will head to college.
#3 will go to high school in September and will shortly thereafter probably get her drivers permit.
Also in September, #6 will go to Kindergarten and #7 will go to preschool.

Mixed in amongst these major things will be a bunch of more minor occurrences....
Potty training, driver's licenses and lessons, an Eagle project, other scout activities, soccer, basketball, track, cross country, music lessons, church activities and responsibilities, goals to set and meet, and blog posts....lots and lots of blog posts--just to get me through it all sanely.

What lies ahead for you in 2012?

Favorite Things of 2011

I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting room early the other morning.  I found "O" magazine on the table next to me.  I didn't even get the chance to open it because the cover gave me a post idea.  Oprah had favorite things, so I thought I must too.  I got busy jotting down my faves.

Like my "People of the Year," I came up with twelve.  Here they are (minus the cleavage):

Kitchen Aid mixer - LOVE it!  Got it in April.  Now can't figure out how I ever baked without it.

Pink Old Navy overcoat/trench-type thingy (I just found out it's called a "car coat") - My favorite thing in my wardrobe.  Can't tell you why.  I just like how it looks.  During the Spokane trip, this bright pink color was kind of a theme.  I bought Gerber daisies for the graves I went and visited.

Ikea pillow - I bought one for the Warden originally, and he LOVES it, so I went back and bought me one.  I can't even tell you what I love about it.  I just do.  Super pliable and comfy.

Oregon water (I'm a water snob) - LOVE Oregon's water.  Maybe not all of Oregon, but the water that comes into my house is delish.

Bruttles soft peanut brittle - the shop was next to our hotel in Spokane.  Everyday, the maid would leave some on the pillow on the bed.  The thing I don't like about hard peanut brittle is that it's hard and well, brittle.  This stuff practically melts in your mouth.

Our old piano - I love it for what #1 can do with it.  It was my great-grandparents piano that came west with them.  Built in 1879.  The Warden offered to refinish it for me way back, but I just can't do it.  Maybe after I'm dead and gone someone'll get their hands on it, but for now, I'm happy with it just the way it is.

Squeaky shoes - LOVE these.  Some people don't want their kids to make any more noise than is absolutely necessary.  Yes, if my 12-year-old was wearing these, then I'd feel the same, but I love knowing where my 2-year-old is when she's not in my sight.

Sprinter van - What can I say?  My home away from home.  It's a great ride, and my friends all know when I'm around.  I have to be a really careful driver because I'm so darned conspicuous.

Zaycon Foods (not so much a thing, but where I get things) - I am so stocked up on chicken and beef right now because of Zaycon.  Wonderful!

Dry pack cannery (again...not necessarily a thing) - I now go once a month and spend about $100 on food that will last us for 30 years if needed.  Actually, that's kind of a joke.  With teenagers in the house, 30 days'd be a feat.

Envelope system (can this one be a thing?) - This is working miracles on our finances.  I can't recommend this one enough.  Absolutely love it!  I'll give you another update here in a few days.

Ikea Swedish meatballs with lingon berries - Ikea is #6's favorite place in the world.  When asked if he'd rather go to Disneyland or Ikea, he chooses Ikea (mind you, he's never been to Disneyland, but for now, he's saving me oodles of money).  The reasons he loves Ikea--the playland and the meatballs.  What more could a 5-year-old boy want from life?

Mercies in Disguise

Just found this posted on Facebook. Beautiful! The longer I live, the more I realize the truths sung in this song....




Here's the thing....This song grabbed me more than anything else because Morgan's mother Jenedy posted it.

They have remained in my prayers these past weeks. I have been praying for strength and healing for them. It's nice to see that He is very aware of them. This song is witness of that for me.

Day 15- First 10 Songs that Play on My Playlist

• "A Little Respect" by Erasure

• "Superman" by Five for Fighting

• "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from Mulan

• "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn

• "Island in the Sun" by Weezer

• "Don't Worry Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin

• "Our House" by Madness

• "Kayleigh" by Marillion

• "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan -- not the official video (sorry)

• "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes" by Ultravox 

Day 10- Songs I Listen to When I'm Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

I still LOVE my playlist.  The other day I added on a bunch of random songs from my childhood.  When I found that I had used up my song allowance, I took some of them back off--sad day.

I listen to my playlist frequently.  It goes on after the kids have left for school, and I'm working on cleaning the kitchen and plays intermittently throughout the day.  It cracks me up when the kids go over and turn it on.  A lot of it is just music I've loved over the years.  They complain about a few songs, but for the most part, they enjoy it.  YAY for fun, peppy '80s tunes.

So, I have to add that the songs they complain about are "too repetitive."  HaHaHa!!!  Does this crack anybody up but me?

The other place I turn for music is Pandora.  Right now I'm trying out the David Archuleta station, but my most listened to station is Josh Groban.  Man, I love that guy's voice.  I'm finding that they play a lot of Sarah McLachlan's music, and although she has a very cool last name, I find that I'm not all that fond of her music.  Every so often I'll listen to the Taylor Swift station.  When I study, I listen to the George Frideric Handel station.  On Sundays, I listen to the Mormon Tabernacle choir or Hilary Weeks station.  When I'm hanging out with my little ones and when we're making cookies with Kaffrin, we listen to the Sesame Street station.


Sounds pretty eclectic, doesn't it?

I don't change my listening style much with my moods.  I keep things fairly happy all the time.  When I'm sad, I play the piano--particularly "On Golden Pond," "Princess Leia's Theme," "Jessica's Theme."  After my mom passed away, I spent A LOT of time at the piano--"On Golden Pond" was a staple during those days; you can make it sound as sad as you are.  Very therapeutic.

I have found that music can change my mood pretty quickly, though.  "Into the Ocean" makes me sad.  There's a Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer" is another one.  I always have to sing with that one.  "When I'm 64" by the Beatles just plain makes me happy.  This morning when the playlist went on, Anna Nalick's "Breathe" came on and I sang it at the top of my lungs--just a lot of truth to that song.

So, there you go.  All that didn't really want to know about my music listening habits.  Hah!