Back to normal

Thankfully, since the defeat with Kuma and the reaction from the infusion are past, things have been pretty quiet this last month, month and a half.  A much needed respite.  No questions answered, no meaning discovered from the experience, just quiet reflection and steady faith that all life's experiences are meant to grow us.  Things were pretty sad and gloomy there for a bit.  I, personally, have been practicing gratitude more regularly and trying to focus more on mindfulness (bringing my thoughts back to the present and focusing on exactly what is happening around me in the moment, rather than the past or the future).  

We were all really looking forward to Spring Break.  Originally we had planned to visit the Grand Canyon but when I did more research, I came to the conclusion that the Grand Canyon really wasn't a good fit for our family.  We decided to pivot and go somewhere else.  We briefly considered Florida but decided to go somewhere we'd never been--Tuscan, AZ.  Such a random choice.  We debated between Tuscan and Phoenix, but because we switched plans kind of last minute, a lot of the places were already booked in Phoenix.  Tuscan checked a lot of our boxes: warm, lots of time for Eli to get driving hours, a pool, Mexican food, somewhere we'd never been.  

It was a great vacation.  We ate good food, went on a hike, visited a miniature museum, walked around the desert museum, swam, and just chilled out.  It was exactly what we needed.  We split up the ride there but the drive home took 15 hours.  It was long!  I'm so glad my kids are great travelers now because there was no fighting or complaining.

Aside from Spring Break, we are mostly in our normal routines again.  Piano, swimming, youth activities, callings, Mike working at the temple twice a month, field trips, etc.  Eli just took the SAT and he's sure he did poorly (I bet he did just fine) and he bravely asked a girl to prom.  He actually wasn't going to go but a mom in the ward said her daughter really wanted to go to prom and would Eli be willing to take her.  To my surprise, Eli had no qualms with asking her.  He can't drive yet so she'll have to drive and he said it makes him feel emasculated but I don't think she will mind.  

To round out this update, the missionaries are doing okay, dealing with hardships but staying cheerful.  Both are in areas where previous Elders did damage to the trust of the ward members.  That has been a hard thing for the boys to overcome.  It's nice that they are serving at the same time and that they get to talk at the same time because it gives them an opportunity to ask each other advice and share what has worked.  Isaac continues to have difficult companion after difficult companion.  His last companion was really hard and the AP's told Isaac, "You are the president's last line of defense.  If it doesn't work with you, we aren't sure what to do."  Isaac did his best, suffered through verbal attacks, disobedience, and basically felt like he was walking on eggshells every day, not sure which version of his companion he'd get.  His current companion is nicer but doesn't want to be a missionary anymore, even though he has nine months left.  Isaac and his companion get along well personality wise, but it has been a burden for Isaac, as the younger companion, to try and motivate his companion to work.  His mission is hard and I'm really proud of him for finding ways to laugh though the hard.  I'm proud of him for being kind and patient with difficult companions and I'm proud of him for pushing through cold temperatures, rejection, and so many other hardships.  

Will's mission is hard in its own ways and he is such an example of not complaining.  He also is in a hard area, with little success right now and also some strict restrictions because of relationships between the church and the muslims in the area.  He stays positive and generally loves his mission.  He only has about 4 1/2 months left and he doesn't want to talk about it.