Today (Tuesday, July 24th - Happy Pioneer Day!) is a landmark day for us. We finally have internet access in our apartment. Our dear, computer-literate son-in-law, Joel, walked Kent through the lengthy process of adapting our computer to a Wi-Fi connection. So, hats off to Joel and thank you SO much.
We left Santaquin around 9 a.m. Thursday the 19th. Tyson, Karlee, Max and Ellie came by the house to wish us good luck and bon voyage. Max had made it a habit when he came to our house to play games on our computer or Kent's ipad. As we were explaining to Max Thursday morning that we would be gone for a long time he got a little distressful look on his face. Kent admits it made him tear up a little thinking how sad Max was. Our hearts were lifted a little and the sadness turned to laughter as Max asked Grandpa, "Are you taking your ipad?" So much for thinking we were going to be greatly missed.
Our trip to CA was totally uneventful. Car ran well and we didn't get lost. That GPS is a great invention!
Thursday around noon, we stopped in Wendover and had lunch at Arby's. We got a few stares and also one approach. A lady (we assumed she was LDS) stopped and chatted and said, "It must be very difficult serving here in Wendover." We were quick to tell her we were just passing through on our way to CA were we would serve our mission. She seemed relieved to know we wouldn't have to serve in a "sin city."
We stayed Thursday night at the Nugget Casino and Hotel in Sparks, NV. That was my first big experience with being out in a crowd and wearing my missionary name tag. We had to walk through the casinos (there were several in one HUGE hotel) to get anywhere and, of course, our name tags attracted attention. As people stared, we just smiled and kept walking. There was a Biker Convention at the hotel that weekend so we saw lots of leather and tatoos.
We had dinner at the Steakhouse Restaurant right there in the hotel. Hotel owners in Sparks don't try to lure patrons with the promise of low price food that's for sure. When our waitress saw our name tags I could see the disappointment on her face. She probably knew our dinner bill would not include liquor which meant her tip would be substantially lower than normal. We both had prime rib and enjoyed every bite. We ordered dessert (which raised the bill a little) and left what we hope was an appreciated tip.
We left the hotel early Friday morning. A special little thing happened at the California border. All vehicles were required to stop and report if they were transporting any vegetables, plants, fruits and/or animals. We didn't have any of those so we were passed through without incident. As she passed us through, the Border Patrol Officer said "Have a great day and be safe." After a short pause, she added, "And God speed." There are those name tags working again.
We arrived at our apartment complex around noon. The manager (Thomas) was ready and waiting for us. As we drove up with our Utah license plate, he came over to the car and said "Welcome Barlows!"
The apartment is very, very nice. 2 bedrooms - 2 baths, AC, dishwasher, wood-burning fireplace and nice patio. There is a swimming pool and hot tub that we have been informed by our mission president we should use regularly to get good exercise. I was in heaven when I saw all the brand new kitchen equipment the Housing Director, Brother Jackson (with the help of Sister Jackson), had bought for us. It was like being a newly-wed. Because this is the first time under the new directives for Senior Missionaries that the mission had to equip an apartment, there was new flatware, dishes, glasses, can opener, toaster, pots & pans, cooking utensils, storage containers, and kitchen towels. A very unexpected surprise was the king-size bed in the master bedroom. WOW! (FYI for those coming to visit: the spare bedroom it furnished with a very nice queen-size bed.) The missionary couple before us had purchased a microwave and iron so they were already unwrapped but in like-new condition. The Church is certainly taking good care of us.
By 2 o'clock, we were in Target buying food. Also stopped in Wal-Mart and Home Depot. We went to CostCo and were able to exchange the queen-size sheets Tricia and Gordy gave us for Christmas (I had been saving them for our mission) for king-size ones. The gal at CostCo was so understanding. Hats off to Jackie our local CostCo employee. Haven't been to Kohls yet but that's on our "To Do" list. One city in America is quite like another - same stores just different landscaping.
We were approached in Wal-Mart by the mom of a YSA who lives here in Redding. The family recently moved to West Jordan, UT and he stayed behind. She gave us his phone number and Ward name and asked us to contact him without saying she had sent us.
In the Win-Co store (much like Macy's in UT) we were approached by Vern Wilson, an early-morning Seminary teacher in the Stake. He talked to us about his students and wayward son for about a half hour. These missionary tags are doing their thing!
Sunday we went to church at the YSA Branch that we have been asked to attend. It was soooooooo quiet! There were about 20 YSAs. We're told attendance will pick up when school gets back in session. We chuckled thinking back on the Sacrament bread. The pieces were huge - really, about 1/8th of a piece of bread. They only had to use two pieces of bread for the entire congregation.
We met a wonderful convert, Jasmine. She was baptized October 2011 and is already a spiritual giant. She is the 1st Counselor in the R.S. Presidency. Jasmine is 5'11" and set several records during high school and at Shasta College in Javlin, hammer and shot-put. She has been accepted at Weber State and will start there in January 2013. She and I connected immediately - I have found my Redding Soul Mate.
The Elder's Quorum President is 7'2." He reminds us of Don. He's just this huge, lovable guy. He played ball for Shasta College then went to Mexico for a year to play professionally. He's a good leader.
We don't start teaching until next Wednesday (an evening class) so we have used this week to get acquainted with our surroundings and do a lot exploring. Our apartment is in a great location. All the stores we would normally use are within a 6 block area. Gasoline is between 30-40 cents higher but we were expecting that.
We walk each morning from 6-6:30 before the day heats up. Nights get a little cooler here but not as cool as Santaquin nights.
That's it for Week 2 of our mission. We're happy, healthy and looking forward to "The Best Two Years."
Love to all - Mom / Nancy / Nan / Cousin / Friend
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