5-31-25 New Friend
Retired/missionary Life. Sunday.
Happy Sabbath!! Here! Have a Jesus Picture!
Sacrament Meeting. Men's Meeting. Missionary Meeting. All in Spanish. It's improving. Folks can understand me. I can understand them most of the time, depending on their accent and subject.
After a lunch of leftover Beef Soup, we ran over to Hanna's Mom's apartment and took pictures of everything so the siblings can decide what they want and what can be donated.
And then we chilled most of the rest of the evening. Read. Napped. Worked on my life history. And I created a map of all the missionary apartments in the entire mission and also the homes of the Stewards. Color Coordinated. So we can see how far they have to drive, how many units they inspect, and make some changes. Fun project.
Typical old people day...
PS, various critters continue to visit the Highlands. I'm just waiting for a bear or cougar...
Retired/Missionary Life. Monday.
Frivvy woke me up at 4am because he needed to go out. This hasn't happened in a long time. And then I couldn't get back to sleep. So sometime around 5, I got up and started working more on the housing computer projects. I made changes to the colorful map so it is more explanatory. I made a roster of Stewards and their contact info. And I started a One Note file to keep records of our conversations in.
In the afternoon, I was hoping to mow the lawn, but didn't get to it. I took the boys for their walk, did my reading and studying, cleaned up the kitchen. And then it was time to shower and go.
In the evening, after picking up the groceries, we drove to the Mission Home (the one by the famous willow tree) and had a Senior Missionary BBQ and lesson. It's good to hang out with the other Senior Couples. If they took some pictures, they weren't posed and I'll post them tomorrow perhaps.
Pictures:
- Gus had a huge disdain for noncluttered floors......he enjoys a mess. (And we enjoy him. Such an energetic goof ball!!)
- My ruined sock. I left it on the chair by accident. Frivvy knows the rule that if it ain't on the floor, don't touch it. Gus is still learning this fact. Anyhow, Gus grabbed my sock. Frivvy, ever the defender of the humans, flipped out and began to try to take it from him. (No doubt to put it back). The result was a huge hole in the sock. And then a huge wrestling match between the two. Sigh...........damaged sock. But entertaining dogs.
- Sunset
Retired/Missionary Life. Wednesday.
We woke up to find ourselves in a studio AirBnB in Kamiah, Idaho with two large beasty dogs. So, today's goal was obviously to get home.
We ate breakfast at the local cafe (after some Rummy). Drove back up by the river. Stopped at the last known gas station in Idaho before crossing the state line to top off with cheap gas. Stopped in the Pullman and Colfax areas to grab some caches and wash the truck and check on what Justin & the boy's lawn looks like (just about as long as mine, but not quite.) Stopped in Rosalia to walk the boys in the Cemetery. And got home in time to do our studying and to mow my lawn. In the evening, I watched a prerecorded football game. Cure Bowl featuring Ohio (straight from Athens) vs Jacksonville State, the only bowl game featuring two conference champions. Great game. Several cool fights. One ejection.
Having a couple of fairly relaxing road trip days was great and needed because the next few days are going to be hectic and chaotic.
Lots of pictures:
- The boys woke up in a good mood and were being cute. I'm not sure what Frivvy thought was so funny. Gus just wants his breakfast. Right now.
- Meatlovers Omelette for me, Pastrami and Eggs for Hanna.
- The boys are either mesmerized or terrified of the car wash.
- Cached in a primitive cemetery. Gus was freaked out with fear at a large white tombstone. Maybe it moved!! Barked his head off.
- Hanna for the find.
- Hiking the trail in the cemetery.
- Getting the lawn mowed.
- And then a whole bunch of Palouse and North Idaho Scenic pictures of our two-day Missionary Business Road Trip.
Retired/Missionary Life. Thursday.
Up early. At 7 (or thereabouts) we met with other family members to clean out Hanna's Mom's apartment. Lots of hands made quick work of it and we were done by about 10.
Frivvy, Gus, and I went for our daily walk. Shower. And then some of our friends from the west side came over for lunch and for a visit.
First up were dental checkups by both of us. Old people need lots of visits with Medical Professionals. It gives self care a whole new meaning.
Stopped at our attorney's office to deal with Hanna's Mom's will. Then to the eye glass place to have our glasses refitted and fixed. Then to the Chiropractor because my back had been nagging me for a few days.
Finally, we picked up a friend we are teaching and took him to the church because he had a meeting with the Branch President. Afterwards, we taught him a lesson. Then he needed a ride to Winco to get some grub before taking him home. Couldn't say no to that. We love this guy.
At the Winco, the two Sister Missionaries we serve with were there talking to people in the parking lot, trying to find someone to teach. These are bold, courageous, fearless sister missionaries! I admire what they are doing!
Before going home, we stopped at Taco Time and had some tacos.
Retired/Missionary Life. Friday.
CELEBRATION DAY!!! We were celebrating the fact that I am the most luckiest guy in the entire world! Also the fact that on Monday we will have been married for 13 years! We deemed ourselves as a strange couple. 13 years and not once have we gotten into a fight that resulted in one of us storming out of the house while the other wondered if their spouse would even be coming back. We're just not like that. And also, serving makes us happy and closer and we have served a lot in those 13 years. Together.
We did manage to show up to District Council to be taught by our young but very capable, creative, and inspired leader. The younger missionaries wanted us to also join them for a birthday lunch for one of the Elders, but no can do. We had plans. Instead, we ran back home, ate some sandwiches, and then packed.
In the afternoon, we drove back to Spokane, checked into a nice AirBnb, got the dogs settled in, and then went out to dinner at the Rusty Moose. (A stuffed turkey stared at us the entire meal...). I had Prime Rib. Hanna had Shrimp Scampi.
Next we went over to the outdoor amphitheater at Northern Quest. Great night for a concert. And there, ladies and gentlemen, we saw the one and only WALKER HAYES live in concert!! He sang several of our favorites, including a new song about being a dad that brought some emotions with it. Also performing were Mae Estes, whom we had never heard of before but was incredibly entertaining and impressive, and Brad Paisley. I don't follow him much, but did recognize a few of his songs and he put on a great show.
Waiting for things to start, we whipped out the Rummy cards. Folks thought we were a very cute couple, which we are. And very happy to be healthy, alive, and together. In service.
One Walker Hayes song in particular has taught me how to minister properly. "Craig." I'm posting a link to it in the comments. Take a listen. Less preaching and judging. More serving and loving. Yes, a spiritual thought from Walker Hayes himself....
Retired/Missionary Life. Saturday.
We continued to celebrate our anniversary by going to Denny's for breakfast. Great pancakes!
And then we declared the celebration over. Cleaned up and checked out of the AirBnB, and took the boys on a walk at Palisades Park, our old hiking grounds when we lived in that neighborhood.
We are teaching a friend who has an amazing story that he says we can tell. He is close to 30 years of age. For most of his young life, he was a Gang Banger big time and who knows what sort of trouble he got himself in to. He has mentioned jail time. About eight years ago, he was speeding down the interstate and got in to a four-car collision. Of course, he was not wearing a seat belt and got thrown a long ways. And somehow survived it. He had major head injuries, broken neck, broken leg and many other wounds. He was in a coma for over two weeks. When he woke, he couldn't speak and his left side was paralyzed. He went into extensive healing and therapy to learn to walk again and to talk again (both Spanish and English). The nurses started calling him their "Miracle". He shouldn't have survived. A lot of healing has taken place. He speaks, but it is difficult and sometimes hard to understand. He walks, but with a huge limp and drag. He can't drive or hold a job. Here is a young man that has every reason to curse God and be cranky about his life. But not our friend. Somewhere along the way, he realized that God spared his life and he now wants to give back, to do absolutely everything God asks of him. He always has a smile. He always has a joke or a story. And his laugh is incredible and makes everyone around him laugh as well.
Today, we were with him in the temple, worshipping together. He was excited to be there and the spirit was strong.
There is nothing I have done in this life that compares with the feelings of goodness and accomplishment as I have helped others come closer to Christ. Nothing. I am so thankful that we are able to serve this mission. And am especially thankful for my new friend.
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