Preparing

July 8, 2010
The house and yard are looking good, the shop storage room is just about finished, the packing has begun. We will be set apart as Missionaries on July 13 at the Stake Center in Alexandria. We will be leaving for Utah on July 23 driving the truck so Mark can keep it while we are away; will spend a week with Mark and family, we will also visit some good friends in Utah while we are there. Dorothy Waddell is one of the people we will see, she and her family brought me into the church. Then on Aug 2 we will enter the MTC, I guess that is the point of no return! W leave the MTC on Aug 12 and fly back to Alexandria, pack the car and head for Nebraska. We are excited, we are aprehensive, we are happy, and we are sad (to leave our children and grandchildren for the next 18 months is going to be hard). However, this is what we have always wanted to do, it is time, and we are going! It will be great!

Much has happened since I last wrote! The best of the best retirement parties was put on for Carl and I by Dr. Meadaa and our children --- all ten of them and all of the grandchildren! It was exquisit, wonderful, awesome, supercalafragilasticexpealadochs! There are no words to express our gratitude! All "MY GIRLS and their spouses (from work) were there - so special; and they did all the cooking! Many friends were there, Jan and Jasper were there, many nice words were said, many tears were shed, and a family picture happened. You can't really beat that weekend, I don't think it can be done - physically impossible!
Now three weeks later we are awaiting our mission call any day - so exciting - the place doesn't really matter, but the arrival date is MUCHO IMPORTANTE! Are we going to get all our house ready in time! We are working hard, but there is so much to do! Time will tell its story and we will leave done or not!
I am nervous, I am excited, I am happy, I am sad, I am anxious, I am stressed, the list goes on, but one thing is for certain --- we will go!
Until next time! We love you!

All the interviews are done! The mission papers are in Salt Lake - now we wait! Should be in about three or four weeks! I am nervous!!! Thanks to everyone who has been such a support!

As of Sunday Carl and I began the waiting game! Waiting for a long white envelope that will tell us where and how long we will be gone on our Mission for the Lord! It is exciting and, even though no one will see this, worth sharing! We have lived our "Empty Nest Years" waiting for the time that we could go on a Mission. We are now totally out of debt, hoping we can stay that way, and it feels great! Hoping that we can "make it" on our retirement, watch out if we can't, Wal Mart here we come, Greeters you Know!
If you see this, please leave us a message!

Today is Mother's Day, a day that is wonderful for some and most difficult for others. I wish my five daughters a very Happy Mother's Day and I hope that for each of you the day is special.

My Mom passed away very close to Mother's Day and I still miss her even though we were not really very close, I loved her very much. Some days I find myself thinking, I think I'll call Mom and tell her about this, then I remember!

Make the most of the time you have with your Mother, they will not always be around when you may need them the most.

I sure love all of you, boy and girls -- have a happy Day.

Saturday January 30 2010! Today was a good day - - we went to the church and cleaned, it is always nice to see the chapel looking like we care! THen I babysat for a young couple for a couple of hours, went to the commissary - spent money! Then I got to stay home --- that was great! Not too many of those kind of Saturdays at the Mangum Pad, but sure enjoy it when it happens. Life is good and I would post pictures, Aaron, but I can't get them to work. This computer and I are not too good of friends. Hope you all have a happy day - it is cold, but not too cold.

It is already January 23, 2010 - where is time going? I am already trying to figure out what I have to do to close the house, there is so much to think about! Time is flying and getting short, I am scared! I sent four sons out on missions, but I am apprehensive to go myself --- how can that be --- there is something wrong with this picture! "There is nothing to fear but fear itself!" who said that - Ben Franklin? I don't remember! All will be well! Faith - faith of a mustard seed!