Nashville, Tennessee!

They made it! Nana and papa are in Tennessee and Steve is headed back.  It was two full days of traveling now it is time to start unpacking and setting up house.  

Nana is a little sad to be so far away from grandkids, but I know that she'll meet some little kids in the ward there that need her. They won't replace grandkids, but it will help.  It will be through the kids that she is able to reach out and help the parents.  I'm so exciting for them and know that they will be great.  It won't be long before Manchester feels like home.  Before they know it - they will be saying goodbye and having to come home.

Let the experiences begin.  

Besides, what better place to be a Duck fan than Tennessee this weekend!

On the road again - Just can't wait to get on the road again...

Nana and Papa left this morning about 6:50 and were headed to Kansas, Missouri, somewhere between here and Tennessee.  Steve is driving the Ford and pulling the 5th Wheel. Nana and Papa are driving the Trailblazer.  

Here is the breakdown (Colorado time):
10:30 am - On I-70, passing by Flagler, Colorado
11:00 am - Going past Burlington, CO
11:30 am - Still on I-70, Ford is running a little rough - need to stop in Goodland, KS for a fuel filter.  Called Napa Autoparts and they have one.  Text address to Nana and Papa.
2:15 pm - Hayes, KS, looking for bathroom, gas, and food
3:15 pm - A little further down I-70
3:45 pm - Elizabeth is on a conference call, getting kids a snack after school, and playing travel agent / tour guide.  "Let's switch up the route" instead of hitting Kansas City at rush hour...
4:10 pm - Conference call is over, travelers are about to Salina, KS.  Decision made - heading toward Wichita, KS instead of Kansas City.
5:15 pm - Trailblazer tire is low and riding funny.  Pulling over @ Exit 13.  Changing tire and getting back on the road.
6:35 pm - On HWY 54 somewhere in Kansas
7:00 pm - Elizabeth starts looking for rooms.  The new route was a good choice for less traffic - not so good for hotels...
7:40 pm - Nana and Papa stop for gas
8:00 pm - 44 miles from Parsons, KS.  Nana and Papa catch up to Steve who is pulled over to fuel up.
8:51 pm - Elizabeth finds hotel (Days Inn - Joplin, MO)
9:10 pm - Hmm - maybe there is a better one in Joplin, or is Carthage a better choice.  Towns are about the same distance, but which road is better??
9:14 pm - Its settled, Joplin
9:22 pm - Reservation made.  Free hot breakfast, free Internet, good parking (thank goodness for Google maps and satellite pics), good price 
9:59 pm - Writing this and wondering where they are.  This travel agent is tired.  I can't go to bed until my travelers are in their rooms.
10:00 pm - Waiting... sent a text, no response...
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Update - 10:40 pm - at the hotel for the night.  Only about 9 hours tomorrow.

MTC - Day 1

Just had a short phone call from Nana and Papa. Here's what they said: 

• It's very exciting! It's Terrific!
• The MTC has about 3800 missionaries right now.
• Today, 127 Senior Missionaries entered - the record is 128.
• On Wednesday, 600 new single missionaries will enter - 100 every 30 minutes.
• They received their name tags and now have to wear them all the time.
• They had to introduce themselves as "Elder and Sister" Higgins - don't forget.
• During introductions a couple introduced themselves as Elder and Sister Jenkins from Kennewick Washington.  
• Knowing that George and Dorothy Jenkins from Bandon moved to Kennewick Washington, Nana and Papa spoke with them when they had a chance.  Come to find out... the couple who introduced themselves was George and Dorothy's son and his wife.  
• Today's class
• The rules: what to do and what not to do
• Don't let the young missionaries us your electronic devices - they will ask
• Motivational speakers
• Love your area and members from Day 1 - they will know it
• Enjoy it
• Huge cafeteria - they cycle folks through pretty quickly.
• lots of options, lots of tables, lots of missionaries
• young single missionaries have 26 min for lunch
• Senior missionaries have 90 min
• Nana is grateful for the "extras" and "differences"
• Sunday afternoon the young missionaries are allowed to walk to the Provo Temple and take pictures, etc.  
• Nana and Papa happen to be there Sunday afternoon and saw several hundred missionaries
• they said it was really neat
• They haven't met anyone else going to Nashville yet - but maybe they will.
• Nana and Papa are staying at the Marriott in Provo and will head back to Colorado Friday night.

NOTE:  I'm sure there is a better way to describe the "regular" missionaries, but "young" seems to be what comes to my mind tonight.  

PREDICTION:  let me be the first to say - Mission number 1 for Nana and Papa... others to follow!

Missionaries!

It's official! Nana and Papa are Missionaries.  They were set apart Thursday evening by the Stake President. They both received beautiful blessings and given the gifts they need to be successful missionaries.  I know they will be great and will develop a deep love for the people they serve.

Friday morning, Nana and Papa set out for Utah.

We met them at the hotel Friday night and were able to spend some time around Temple Square.  After that, we all had lunch with Michael, Meilanie, Devin, and Zach.  It was great to see them.  I wish we could have visited and stayed longer.

It's now 10:17AM - Nana and Papa have entered the MTC and have been checked in.  There time was scheduled from 10:00-10:15am. 

Let's try this again...

This will be the blog for Nana and Papa's mission updates.  They have about 11 days until they enter the MTC.  We have really enjoyed having them out here in Colorado this summer.  I know 3 kids that are going to miss them very much when they leave.  

Papa has been busy working on the farm and on all the projects Steve has going on.  Kyler follows Papa around everywhere and loves to help him at the farm. 

Nana has been busy sewing and re-doing the trailer so it will be ready to go.  She has done a great job making it "home".  Pictures coming soon of before and after.

Our Plans for 2013!!!

Well here we go again. I have been told by many people that Calvin and I need a blog so we can journal this year especially but every time I get on here it seems to shut down and I get cranky and tell Calvin I want a new laptop and he tells me to send it to Elizabeth. Neither happens and I just give up on blogging. Since it is Valentines Day and we are having a quiet evening at home with Calvin writing orders for work and me pounding on here i thought I would give my laptop another try. IF this works then along with current posts I will try to add some from the past and our last trip to Colorado and what has happened this past year. As you all know we hope to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from September 2013-September 2014. We have been working on the paperwork all month long and after dental and medical check-ups and more shots than necessary in our minds we will turn the the papers in this coming Sunday. Along with the paperwork we had to include a current photo of us together and we had to be "missionary dressed". Last Saturday evening was Stake Conference and so after we asked Janet, Laurie's mom to take a photo. She did the best she could with what she had to work with and this is one of the photos. As you can see I can't seem to get a photo to load!