I haven't written in about a month, but I feel like I'm on here all the time because I'm updating a separate blog just for Gabe's mission experiences almost weekly! It's kind of hard to know how much I should write on here about Gabe's mission because I also am doing that other book, but yet I feel like someday he will take those books and I will have these, so I want to include SOME things here just about Gabe and how he's doing!
Gabe is in Spain!
So, I'll start with that! Gabe left the MTC in the middle of the night, at like 3am on September 3rd (the day after Labor Day!) I was kind of in and out of sleep all night because I knew he would be getting up at like 2:00am, checking out of the MTC, and taking the SLC train with about 15 other elders and sisters to get to the SLC airport. Then he had to check his bags (which he somehow magically got to under 50 pounds each - probably because he also packed his temple backpack and called it a "personal item") - and then he flew from SLC to Atlanta. He stayed in Atlanta for a few hours and then it was an overnight flight to Spain! He arrived in Madrid at what felt like about 3am his body clock time (Utah/Idaho time) but it was already about 10am Spain time! So he got off the plane, met with the mission president, and did a few other things at the mission office it sounds like! That night, he slept in Madrid with the other 15 new missionaries that had all just arrived. They used to have an MTC in Madrid right by the temple, so now it's just a mission office and kind of a place to stay for people when they come to the temple. The next day, Gabe found out who his companion would be, and he loves him! I'm so happy! That was my main prayer for him - to love his companion. His name is Wisdom Bright (Elder Bright) and he's a black dude who grew up in eastern Spain. He also speaks English, so that's good! It seems like he has a pretty chill personality as well. So, Gabe is doing well, and he likes his apartment and he's still getting used to speaking Spanish, but that will come with time. I won't say much else about Gabe because tons of details are on his blog, but I'm so grateful he's having a good experience so far. I'm still missing him like crazy, but I'm trying to adjust. (I'm honestly kind of kicking myself for insisting I needed part-time this year...) I'm so crazy to even be saying that, but honestly, I feel like I just need to stay busy and I'm much better than when I'm just sitting home bored.
Homecoming week!
Homecoming week is honestly one of my favorites of the year! I LOVE being able to find a way to dress comfy for school every day! lol I wore my Packer pajama pants one day, Lauren's overalls one day ("Minion Day"), and Caleb's old football jersey on Friday. Another day I wore jeans and a black sweatshirt to match Melissa and Nicole Stucki for "twins" day. It's like, "What are they going to do? it's homecoming!" I love it! I also loved all of the homecoming festivities in the evenings like the Powder Puff girls game that Caleb helped coach! He was coaching the junior girls (because he's a junior) and they WON! Every year, they try to rig it so the seniors win, but there was nothing they could do. It was so obvious that the juniors were just good and kept scoring touchdowns! It was a really fun game to watch. Then on Friday night, the varsity team (Caleb's team) played against Blackfoot and totally killed them. I want to say the score was like 45-6 or something like that. The weather was also beautiful! Josh had been on this bike ride thing that he did to raise money for bulletproof vests, so he had to rent a car and drive back just for Homecoming, and then go back for the rest of the bike ride the next day. So he was basically gone from Thursday to Sunday. Then when he got back, all this other stupid crap at the police department blew up in his face and it was soooo annoying. I honestly hate the police department sometimes, especially lately. I feel like his job causes him so much stress, and then it overflows and he comes home mad and quiet, and it's just so dumb. There are many days I wish he would've done physical therapy like he said he was going to when we were engaged. The only thing that's good about his job is that he can retire in about ten years and collect a pension, and at that point, I'm just really hoping he starts doing something like teaching evening classes at a college or working security at BYUI or something that's just low-stress and chill. Cause right now it's not great.
Oh, and I forgot to talk about Caleb's homecoming dance! He took Ellie Carter (my former TA and Avery's former viola tutor). She's the sweetest girl and they had a fun group. Claire took pictures at BYUI gardens, and then they ate dinner at the Gates clubhouse, which Colin's mom helps manage. So we ordered in Fresco dinner and they ate and hung out there, and then went to the dance. I think he had fun!
So, that's all for now! The kids are on spud harvest break, and so it's a little boring right now! This morning I was looking forward to sleeping in, but then it turned into the morning that Gabe could call because they were stuck at a member's house last night. (Usually, he's been calling on Sundays) But so, today it was nice to talk to him on his actual P-Day because we are off school and he could call on Monday instead! Anyways! That's all for now! Here are a bunch of pictures!
