Quick Trip

We had really hoped to be able to fly down to our mission reunion in Bountiful, but the night before we were to leave, Lennard got a little nervous about what the weather was going to be on our way home.  We could get down to Bountiful without any issue... but getting home looked like it might be an issue.  About 10:00pm Wednesday night, we made the decision to drive instead of fly.  My parents came in from the airport and stayed at our house so that we could leave bright and early in the morning.  

We were on our way by about 6:45ish.  Emma had a hard time saying goodbye to us and it took a few more hugs and kisses to reassure her that we'd be back soon.  We had a good drive down for the most part.

We did manage to end up behind a building being moved and were glad to finally get around it after a half hour of creeping along!

 We got to our hotel by about 6:00 and met up with Shannon's sister-in-law's sister, Sara, to drop off some baby clothes we'd brought down.  We went out to Chuck-a-Rama for dinner and ate well. 

The next day was an open day for us.  It was SO nice to not have a schedule and just spend time together.  We shopped way too much and spent way more than we'd planned (as usual)... but we did get a lot of food storage for great prices and everything that we were out of too.  We got Emma's baptism dress (sshhh! don't tell her yet!) and a few gifts for her special day in December.  We even got some Christmas shopping done!

We went out to Panda Express for lunch and I got the best 'fortune' ever!  Here's hoping it means another trip in the near future!

Our mission reunion was held at our mission president's home in Bountiful.  We were the first to arrive, so we had plenty of time to visit with President and Sister Lund.  President Lund has definitely aged and didn't remember us initially.  Sister Lund hasn't changed a bit.  We got to look through mission scrapbooks and remember all the fun and crazy things we did in the mission field.

President Lund, Soeur Murray, Soeur Marley and Soeur Lund - the day I entered the mission field (1996)

The day Lennard entered the mission field.

I was excited to see one of my mission companions there.  Soeur Low (AKA: Desiree Harris) was my companion for 4 months in Geneva.  I haven't seen her since her wedding reception in Lethbridge.  She was also my only Canadian companion.  She lives in California now with her husband and four kids.

 I didn't know most of the missionaries there, but all of us had fun telling stories and swapping information about members and other missionaries.  It was a great night and so wonderful to see President and Sister Lund again.  They played such a role in my mission and I love them for it.

 After leaving the Lund's home, we made a quick trip up to see the Bountiful Temple.  It has a bunch of scaffolding around the top, but we were both amazed to see how big it is.  Even at 10:00 at night there were people coming out of the temple.  It also has a fantastic view of the valley!

We were on the road bright and early again to head home on Saturday morning (30th).  After making the decision to drive, we spent a fair amount of time wondering if we'd made the right decision.  Well, as we made the drive home, we definitely found out that we chose right!  There's no way we would have made it home.  There was lots of rain, wind and even a bit of snow.

 We were sure glad to make it home.  The colors around Babb were so pretty.  The photo doesn't do it justice.

 We are so grateful that my parents were able to watch Emma and Ben for us.  Emma was very glad to have us home, but she did fine the whole time we were gone.  (Maybe there's hope for another date night in the future!)