Little Buddha

Well, this past week was filled with many spiritual experiences. On Monday we continued to help Jordan pack up his room and get his bags ready to leave on his mission.  Monday evening we sold the Jeep Cherokee to the Ryman's for $1800 which is the same price we bought it for, I really hope the Jeep works for them.  We plan to put the money in the bank so Jordan can buy something when he gets home.  Monday evening we went out to Erik's setting apart, which was good.  Tuesday we got around, Jolley's took Jordan to lunch and then we gathered everyone and had one last family prayer.  I struggled offering the prayer, even though I know that serving a mission is the best thing Jordan can be doing at this point in his life.  It was really touching to see him saying his last goodbyes to Gary and Eileen, as well as the other aunts, uncles, and cousins.  As we drove off the emotions finally hit Jordan pretty hard.  The trip to Salt Lake was pretty good.  We spent Tuesday evening visiting with Grandma and Corey and Danielle.  Wednesday July 9th..Today was the day Elder Jordan Ence reported to the Provo MTC.  This was one of the hardest things I've had to do recently trying to be strong as everyone was feeling very emotional.  We went to breakfast at IHOP, but Jordan didn't really enjoy his meal like he usually do. After breakfast we spent some time on the grounds at the Provo Temple, saying our last goodbyes.  It was hard seeing each child give Jordan one last hug goodbye. Jansen had a very hard time, he is at that age where he is going through lots of changes and is very emotional.  We pulled into the MTC at 12:45 right on time. I got out and helped another missionary collect Jordan's suitcases, while Sunny was able to have one last nice hug, then it was my turn.  I will be honest I had a real hard time saying good-bye.  While fighting back all the tears I told him to be completely obedient and to have a great time.  Our time was short and then Elder Ence picked up his suitcase and marched off.  I had a great feeling as I watched him walk off very confident and excited to start his mission! Godspeed Elder Ence.  After the MTC we went back up to the temple and visited shortly with Brock Fenton and his sister and Dad.  We were also able to see Erik Mitchell and his family.  Wednesday night we spent some time swimming and then went up to Temple Square.  Thursday morning we woke up and took the kids to Hogle Zoo, it was ok, but not great. After the zoo we went back to Temple Square.  We took the tour on top of the Church Office Building as well as on top of the Conference Center.  After that we went to an open practice for the Utah Jazz.  The entire family even Sunny and Joslin enjoyed the evening watching the younger Jazz players. We were all excited they gave out free T-shirts promoting Dante Exum and Rodney Hood.  We even got a shirt for Jordan and sent it to him in a package.  On Friday Jansen and I went down to Provo and joined up with the kids at youth conference.  When we got there, the youth were just finishing up a service project and then we did an activity called object lessons.  Each member in the bishopric had to pull random objects out of a trash bag and then related them to the gospel.  It was kind of a fun game.  We spent the afternoon at Seven Peaks Water Park which was lots of fun.  I had fun going on the different slides with Jansen and also Bradley Creel.  After the water park we headed back out to where we were camping at Utah Lake State Park.  On the way back I decided to drive by the MTC and guess who was outside playing sand volleyball? Elder Ence!! I did not get his attention or distract him from his mission. Rather, Jansen and I and a few other deacons just parked for a short time and watched him having fun with his district. As we were leaving Jansen told me that last night in his prayers he had prayed that he could see Jordan one last time.  To me this was just one of the many tender mercies the Lord has given our family.  Jansen has really been having a hard time emotionally with Jordan leaving and I believe this was reassuring to him to see his older brother having a good experience with his new missionary friends.  Friday night at camp was good, and became somewhat eventful around 12:30 when a group of Rainbow people came and camped right next to us.  Bro. Christian and I stayed up until 3:00 am making sure everything was safe and secure, before we went to bed. Saturday we came home, which was good this week was starting to get a little long being away from home. Today, was pretty good, sacrament went good Silver Beatty, Sariah Beagley, Alli Farrar, and Wade Beatty spoke.  I stayed after and did the count and had to be back up at the church in the evening for a disciplinary council.  This was the second one I've been involved in and both have been spiritual experiences and have helped me better understand and appreciate the blessings of the atonement.

La Verkin Loop. I really need to get going with my training I think now that Jordan is gone things might start to slow down a bit. My weight has gone up the last few weeks, stress and poor eating habits. Also been struggling with a right knee injury trying to figure out what it is?

40 minutes on the exercise bike.

2 miles this evening with Sunny down to the cow field and back.

5 miles at noon today.  I ran down through Confluence Park and stopped and swam in the river for a bit.

2 miles this evening with Sunny.

Ran over to this high school and then out to 400 South then back via Pah Tempe.

La Verkin Loop and then 30 min on the exercise bike

Basketball.

4 mile run this morning, drove up to the Overlook Road and then did 4 miles out to the cracks and back.

20 minutes on the exercise bike.

Nice early morning run down the course with Mike, Bill, Cody, and Scott.  We did 10 miles from Mike's Gym PF 24/7 started at Diamond Valley. We kept the pace pretty much under control.  We did throw in a 2 mile tempo towards the end (5:57, 5:52) My knee actually felt pretty good once we got going.  I started a trial sample of supplements from the Stewarts yesterday, I'm also skeptical but I'll see what a week of this stuff does.

3 miles this evening gravel pit and back.