Farewell Normal Life

On Sunday, Veva and I both spoke in my ward in Mesquite and then afterwards we quickly drove to Bloomington Hills, Utah to speak together in her ward.  It was an exhausting, but an exciting day for us and for our families. 

It was a most wonderful day because Veva's son and grandson and their families were able to attend our meetings. Veva's son's family were here from Okinawa, Japan. Her grandson and his wife came from Colorado Springs, Colorado.

After our farewell, we felt like the days just flew. So much to take care of but somehow our to-do lists got smaller and finally the day came to leave to Salt Lake. 

That morning as Jenn and John drove me to St. George to pick up Jamie and Veva, Jenn mentioned a car with problems on the side of the road. We were just passed Littlefield and at the Desert Springs turn off when they pointed out a car off to the side in distress. Jenn mentioned that we should slow down to check on them. I was surprised at her kindness and thoughtfulness at a time I was in a hurry to go serve others. When it settled in what was happening, my heart melted because there was my other sweet thoughtful daughter, Jodi and her boyfriend, Jace. 

What a GREAT surprise!

   Before entering the MTC we spent Sunday at church with friends.

Mallori Taylor Strong, Jamie Cox Shillig, Trisha Gunderson, Mary Taylor, Myself and Mallori's 5 year old daughter Taylor, and last is my sister, sister Veva Snyder.

After a great lunch at her place, we left Mary's home that day and little Taylor started crying big crocodile tears because we were leaving. It didn't take long before we were all crying big crocodile tears!

The fun part of Little Taylor is that earlier she had told her mother she couldn't wait to see me because I was so fun. I had helped Mary move over a year ago. I was sure she had me mixed up with someone else because it had been so long and "I ain't fun"! When we walked into the church Taylor just stared with that deer in the head lights stare.

Later that day as I walked around the chapel with Taylor she told me that the reason she didn't know me when I walked in was because she, "Didn't remember I was that OLD!"

She still cried when we all left. I can't imagine what she will think of me in a year and a half?

                  Quiz...What time of day did Adam partake of the fruit?  
                            (answer later so you must keep reading.)

The next day was the morning we were to report to the MTC. It is a Woods tradition to go to the temple grounds and take pictures before checking in across the street.  

                      What time of day did Adam partake of the fruit?

                                                "Just after Eve".

Speaking of Adam and Eve, what time of the year did this all happen?

                                              Keep reading!

Checking into the MTC

As Jamie, my daughter, was feeding her family breakfast she reminded her 7 year old son to include in the prayer a blessing for Mema and Aunt Veva at the MTC.  When he prayed that morning he said, "Please bless Mema and Aunt Veva to cross the, "Empty Seas"!

       Yes we know, Moses was the first to go to the MTC (Empty Seas)

               We have great teachers but their jokes need work. (Moses joke)

We're here and as hard as it was to leave our families, we're excited for the journey ahead.  Thank you for reading, and for following our adventures in the "Empty Sea!"