Tuesday, September 10, 2013
I'm a Missionary Mom!
Check out Elder Fackrell's blog at http://highlandmissionaries.blogspot.com
So, your child has finally made it to the status of
Missionary. It is so surprising what a mix of emotions there are for such
a joyous event. The tears seem to flow easily. Many mom's I have
talked to feel the same as I do, that it almost feels like a death of the child
as they move onto adulthood. We know in our mind that this is the right
thing, but it is hard. Just remember...you would cry harder if your child
were staying home.
Here are some last minute items that are must haves
for the MTC:
Stamps
Stationary
Pens that are Fine Stroked
Luggage Tags
Zip Lock bags for Toiletries
Sharpie Marker to Mark their Clothes
Make a shrunk down copy of their Patriarchal
Blessing and Get it Laminated
Send them with a small address book with important
addresses in it
Get them the "New Scriptures"if they have
the "Old Ones." (Prior to September 2013) (Get them scriptures in
your native tongue only, apparently the other things are provided.)
Setting Apart:
•
We were able to write down the blessing. I
typed it out and made a copy. We will also shrink it down and laminate it
and send it in a package.
Some Ideas:
•
We sent a package the day before our missionary
left so it arrived the first day that he was in the MTC. We decided to do the
12 First Days of the MTC. We wrapped of 12 items (mainly snacks) and had
a card that went with each of them. We put funny family quotes and other
LDS quotes on the cards.
•
Every new Mission Mom needs to know about
DearElder.com especially for the Provo MTC.
◦
It allows the email you send to printed and it is
delivered the next day.
◦
It also has packages that they will deliver.
◦
The Krispy Creme doughnuts are a favorite and those
are delivered on Tuesdays and Fridays so you will need to order the night
before.
◦
For those of you that like coupons, DearElder will
send you a coupon code after your first package order.
◦
Sending an email through DearElder is free.
Sending a package costs a pretty penny ($20 to $35)
•
Your missionary should have a myldsmail.net
account. This can only be accessed on P-Day. If good fortune has
it, you may be able to have an email exchange on P-Day.
•
Snail Mail mixes things up. Some hand written
letters are always nice.
•
We stuffed his bags, journals, and everything else
we could find with letters and notes. I made a journal entry in both
journals that I sent.
•
The second day we sent him some sweet rolls with
DearElder.com for comfort food
Day of MTC:
•
Bring your Kleenex. All of the goodbye's
should be said at home. We went out to a quick lunch before at the BYU
Creamery on the 9th.
•
The drop off time has about a 10 minute variation.
•
When you get into the MTC you will pull forward.
You get out and so do they. You grab their bags and then give them
a big hug!
•
We were lucky enough to have one of his best friends
be a host. It made it so much easier.
•
We cried all the way home!
•
After arriving home, I had a good cry in bed.
I felt that I needed to grieve properly. My best friends and family
texted lots of encouragement.
•
I did a small FaceBook post and the comments and
likes seemed to make me feel a little better.
•
The next day I woke up and decided to move forward
and focus on the blessings...for example now we only have 7 in our car instead
of 6 so the back seat is not such a torture chamber.
•
We have felt blessed ever since (with random tears
of happiness or sadness?)
First Letter
•
We received the first letter 3 days after he
entered. It was really short, but it told us his PDay and general
information. We had sent him with stationary and a stamp so it was easy for
him to send.
•
The first email we received was on his PDay.
He informed us to use snail mail or DearElder so he can have a printed
copy and read those during the week for encouragement.
•
I cried when I got his first letter! I then went
out to lunch with my husband. I just sat there with tears streaming down
my face. He asked, "What is wrong?" I said, "I don't
know!" I haven't quite yet developed a place for all of the tender
feelings I have being a missionary mom. It will come though. I know
it.
Surprises
•
I was surprised about the loss of my children and
how much I needed this to be a group effort in getting over the loss of a big
brother in the home. We asked friends and family for encouragement of
younger siblings.
•
I was also surprised how much I have felt the
Spirit since he left.
•
My emotions are raw and I seem to cry at the
strangest times and places. I am working on it though.
•
Why is such a happy thing, a mission (remember I
hope they call me on a mission?) such a sad event for me? I keep telling myself
how "happy" I am.
I Wish I Would Have?
•
I wish I would have canceled his phone service
before he left. We have had a major snag canceling it since he is now and
"adult."
•
Had more people write letters to him at his
farewell party. Then you can send them lots of envelopes snail mail in
the MTC.
•
Had a photobook made of his life and had people
sign it at his mission farewell
I am Glad I Did
•
We gave him some cash for a reserve
•
We set up a bank account for him to transfer funds
•
We had him apply for 2 credit cards so his credit
could be established while he was gone and he would have a credit card history
•
I cut his hair for 18 years and put $15.00 in his
mission fund each time
•
We had his big going away party the Saturday before
his farewell then had only a few people come after the three hour block.
I am happy to say...I am so glad that I did!
•
We had a photo card made up with his picture
mission information, package address and mailing address for people to take
with them from his farewell party. I'm glad I did.
•
Got all of his passwords and account information to
e-bay, email, Facebook, etc.
About the MTC
•
There are usually about 6 Elders to a room so it
has some easy sharing of packages.
•
They are able to exercise or have gym times about 5
days a week.
•
They can only write us on PDay except for their
first day in.
•
They can get there mail any day and read it.
Signing Off-
Tamara Fackrell (A Dedicated Missionary Mom)
Monday, February 9, 2009
Medical Frenzy
This week has been very adventurous. It all started with Presdon getting stitches. He bonked his eye on the marble table during family night. Then Jake got surgery and he is still down and miserable. Connor in the meantime got the flu. Then Camdon came down with the flu. Connor felt good enough to go and play in his basketball game because his team needed him, but alas...he sprained his ankle at the game and has been on crutches ever since. Ashdon got in a sledding accident on Saturday and biffed up his face. Now today....the dreaded Dentist! All and all I feel very blessed. I am a person who focuses on the bright side of things. Isn't it great that I had all of this happen in one week? If we are going to be down and out we might as well do it all at the same time. We are still a happy family! We have been watching movies together and making the best of it.
Love
Tam
Love
Tam
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Last Lecture-- Do you have a good book recommendation?
Yesterday Jake and I have an amazing date in Las Vegas. We went to circus circus and won the largest animals there. We laughed and giggled as we played the camel race game, the dart throwing, tic tac toe, the waterballon game (one of my favorites), and the beachball bean bag game. We got the idea of winning the actual biggest prize from the book the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. That is a must read book. If you have a book I should read, please let me know. I love to read!
Christmas Vacation-- Help Wanted Talent Lessons
One of my goals in life is to be mediocre in everything. In other words, I try to have some knowledge about most things and extend my talents. The thing I am amazing at is mediating and creativity. I also have tried to make my piano playing something that I stand out of the crowd. As for all of my other talents, I am very mediocre.
Over this 2008 Christmas break, I read over 1,000 pages and I took ten piano lessons from my mom and two organ lessons from her. I also took a Photo shop lesson from Krystaly and a make-up and fashion lessons from Candace.
I am always looking for "talent lessons" so if you have something you want to share with me, please let me know.
Love
Tam
Over this 2008 Christmas break, I read over 1,000 pages and I took ten piano lessons from my mom and two organ lessons from her. I also took a Photo shop lesson from Krystaly and a make-up and fashion lessons from Candace.
I am always looking for "talent lessons" so if you have something you want to share with me, please let me know.
Love
Tam
Service Project December 2008
As part of our Christmas with no gifts my mom arranged for us to go to Kingman and help with the Bonelli house. We had two days there.
The first day I spent getting acquainted with the history of the home. The kids gave three concerts and sang the songs of Silent night, I am a Child of God, Away in a Manger, and Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. They did an excellent job. Jake and I had planned to stay overnight in Kingman.
The next day, I gave tours, played piano solos, accompanied the children’s singing, and just really enjoyed myself.
The Bonelli House has a lot of great history to it. The first home was built in just 30 days as a wedding gift to Effie Tarr. They married and lived in the home until in 1915 the home was burnt to the ground. George had gone to the World Fair and learned of electricity. He also bought a clock there for $150.00. This was a substantial sum back in the day. He purchased the clock for his Father in Law who ran the train station. This clock kept perfect time and is rumored to be the only clock in Kingman for a time and a very reliable clock as much of the town revolved around the train station. This clock was saved from the fire as it was at the railroad. It is in the home.
Even as the embers were still hot, George Bonelli was planning his next home. This is the current Bonelli home. The only thing he was able to rescue was his trunk with valuable document in it. The new home was 35 feet square. Every room had an exit except for the master bedroom. It also used a special plaster which was fire retardant. George was a wonderful businessman. He owned jewelry store, mercantile store, and a very large ranch in Chloride.
Effie was a very hardworking woman who was an excellent cook and wonderful homemaker. Music was a very important part of their family. They had nine children and each of them played an instrument.
They have a secret safe in the home behind a wall and some secret chambers my children loved. It was so fun to give the tours of this home.
In Kingman they sent home flyers of the "Bonelli Heirs" arrival and they were open on Saturday just for us. We got special treatment for being Bonellis.
Most importantly my children learned the importance of their heritage. It was an amazing service project for us.
Love
Tam and Gang
The first day I spent getting acquainted with the history of the home. The kids gave three concerts and sang the songs of Silent night, I am a Child of God, Away in a Manger, and Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. They did an excellent job. Jake and I had planned to stay overnight in Kingman.
The next day, I gave tours, played piano solos, accompanied the children’s singing, and just really enjoyed myself.
The Bonelli House has a lot of great history to it. The first home was built in just 30 days as a wedding gift to Effie Tarr. They married and lived in the home until in 1915 the home was burnt to the ground. George had gone to the World Fair and learned of electricity. He also bought a clock there for $150.00. This was a substantial sum back in the day. He purchased the clock for his Father in Law who ran the train station. This clock kept perfect time and is rumored to be the only clock in Kingman for a time and a very reliable clock as much of the town revolved around the train station. This clock was saved from the fire as it was at the railroad. It is in the home.
Even as the embers were still hot, George Bonelli was planning his next home. This is the current Bonelli home. The only thing he was able to rescue was his trunk with valuable document in it. The new home was 35 feet square. Every room had an exit except for the master bedroom. It also used a special plaster which was fire retardant. George was a wonderful businessman. He owned jewelry store, mercantile store, and a very large ranch in Chloride.
Effie was a very hardworking woman who was an excellent cook and wonderful homemaker. Music was a very important part of their family. They had nine children and each of them played an instrument.
They have a secret safe in the home behind a wall and some secret chambers my children loved. It was so fun to give the tours of this home.
In Kingman they sent home flyers of the "Bonelli Heirs" arrival and they were open on Saturday just for us. We got special treatment for being Bonellis.
Most importantly my children learned the importance of their heritage. It was an amazing service project for us.
Love
Tam and Gang
Christmas 2008-- Christmas with No gifts
This Christmas without gifts was an amazing experience. Our plans to Mexico were halted by the Bishop there that called and said it is unsafe with all of the violence right now. We had to quickly come up with Plan B. Jake and I both came up with a similar idea: we would go down to Bonanza where you pick up the Mexican workers and get a list of children in need. There is one worker who we knew. When we got to the designated place, we asked for Miguel. The “otro Miguel” called him on his phone. We announced we would bring them gifts. We also got a list of six other families we would help for Christmas. The people seemed gracious. In addition, we had two families that we would help from the Spanish ward. We had all of the names and ages for this family as well.
We took the kids with us on a shopping spree. We looked for toys that were on sale and that were fun for the kids. We started at Toys R Us, then Target, and Walmart. Then we went to Deseret Book to get each family a picture of Christ, a DVD of the testaments and also a Book of Mormon. Jake was able to type his testimony in Spanish in the back of the book.
It took several hours to wrap all of the gifts. Jake called the home of Miguel and Jake asked if we could come on Christmas morning. Miguel asked if there was anyway that we could come that evening. We told him it would be late but we would be there. We did the nativity with the family which is part of our rich Christmas tradition and then we were off to deliver gifts.
We first went to the “otro Miguel” home. They had a few presents under their tree. He had three children. There was also a woman there from the Phillippines. They seemed very grateful. I was also impressed to hear Jake bear his testimony as he gave the picture of Christ and explained about the DVD and book of Mormon.
The second stop was the best of the night. We went to Miguel’s home. He lived on Fremont Street in a hotel that you rent the rooms for one week. He was waiting outside for us when we got there. Apparently his friend Miguel had called him. When we went into his studio apartment there was a bed there, but no tree and no presents. The home was bare and had just a bed and kitchen table. My heart went out to them. Now I know why we were to go there that night. He had no Christmas gifts for his children. He had one child who was asleep and a two year old girl who was still awake. His son slept in his jacket and the little girl also wore her jacket in the home. The home was chilly. The girl was overjoyed with all of the gifts. We got her a beautiful dress. This is something I felt particularly impressed to buy her. I hadn’t planned on buying clothes but this and a dress for a baby was specific in my purchases. We also got her a large baby doll, balls, a musical toy, and a stocking filled to the brim with other items. They were very happy and very grateful. Jake again gave his testimony as he explained about the Hymns in Spanish that we gave this family along with the picture of Christ, DVD, and Book of Mormon. We also gave their children a Children’s Book of Mormon in Spanish.
The last home of the night was for Pablo. He wasn’t home but we were able to leave gifts for his two girls in Mexico. There was also a one year old baby next door. The man of this family came over and we gave him several more gifts as well. Apparently his wife was very ill and pregnant with her second child. We also gave some gifts to the room mate for his children. We had felt impressed to bring boxes of Miscellaneous gifts and this is one home where we used them.
We then were happy with our accomplishments and set off for home. Tomorrow as to bring another day of delivering gifts.
On Christmas Morning, we awoke around 7 a.m. We had Grandpas famous French Toast. We had the night before left a note for Santa to leave nothing for our family. While the other children were basking in Santa’s gifts, we were on to deliver more gifts.
We began at the home of Marcos. He had four grand children. He told Jake that his wife was a member of the Church. He had requested some information in Spanish on the church and we provided some for him as well as the Hymns. He brought two other men over who also had children. We got from our extra gift boxes and gave them many many gifts. We didn’t give them all though, I wanted to save some as we didn’t know what lie ahead for us. Marcos was very appreciative and talked to Jake more about the church.
The next home was another highlight of the trip. We knocked at the yellow house around 9:30 a.m. We were not able to reach them by phone and were unsure if we could connect. We knocked and knocked but could get no one to answer. We went back to the car and loaded the gifts and just then the mother poked her head out of the door. We then unloaded again and brought the gift inside to the surprised family. The small boy Brian was about 2 years old. He was adorable. He opened up a car that we got him and he loved it so much. We watched as he played with the car. We also got their baby a warm sleeper and a beautiful dress. For the older boy Luis we got him some Legos, and a Diego race track. He loved it. Out of the hallway came two more children. We confirmed how many children where in the house and I was back out to the car to get additional gifts. The family offered us some drink like cider with fruit inside. It was warm and we drank quite bit of it. We said goodbye and were off to our next home.
Max was the next receiptient. He had just one daughter. He was waiting for us outside and we gave him the bags. He told us his wife had taken his daughter for a walk. Regardless, we happily left the gifts and moved on.
We went to go and see the Abuela but she wasn’t home. So we planned to return to her later.
Our final home was the ward members. I had saved many special gifts for them. There were four boys. We had over 12 gifts for their family. Including a castle, two soccer balls, risk, dominoes, race track with two cars, two MP3 players. It was delightful. The boys kept on saying this is AWESOME. This rocks!
We told many our Christmas Tradition with no gifts. Connor said to me, “I think I will remember a couple of Christmases with gifts but I will never forget any of our Christmases without gifts.”
We took the kids with us on a shopping spree. We looked for toys that were on sale and that were fun for the kids. We started at Toys R Us, then Target, and Walmart. Then we went to Deseret Book to get each family a picture of Christ, a DVD of the testaments and also a Book of Mormon. Jake was able to type his testimony in Spanish in the back of the book.
It took several hours to wrap all of the gifts. Jake called the home of Miguel and Jake asked if we could come on Christmas morning. Miguel asked if there was anyway that we could come that evening. We told him it would be late but we would be there. We did the nativity with the family which is part of our rich Christmas tradition and then we were off to deliver gifts.
We first went to the “otro Miguel” home. They had a few presents under their tree. He had three children. There was also a woman there from the Phillippines. They seemed very grateful. I was also impressed to hear Jake bear his testimony as he gave the picture of Christ and explained about the DVD and book of Mormon.
The second stop was the best of the night. We went to Miguel’s home. He lived on Fremont Street in a hotel that you rent the rooms for one week. He was waiting outside for us when we got there. Apparently his friend Miguel had called him. When we went into his studio apartment there was a bed there, but no tree and no presents. The home was bare and had just a bed and kitchen table. My heart went out to them. Now I know why we were to go there that night. He had no Christmas gifts for his children. He had one child who was asleep and a two year old girl who was still awake. His son slept in his jacket and the little girl also wore her jacket in the home. The home was chilly. The girl was overjoyed with all of the gifts. We got her a beautiful dress. This is something I felt particularly impressed to buy her. I hadn’t planned on buying clothes but this and a dress for a baby was specific in my purchases. We also got her a large baby doll, balls, a musical toy, and a stocking filled to the brim with other items. They were very happy and very grateful. Jake again gave his testimony as he explained about the Hymns in Spanish that we gave this family along with the picture of Christ, DVD, and Book of Mormon. We also gave their children a Children’s Book of Mormon in Spanish.
The last home of the night was for Pablo. He wasn’t home but we were able to leave gifts for his two girls in Mexico. There was also a one year old baby next door. The man of this family came over and we gave him several more gifts as well. Apparently his wife was very ill and pregnant with her second child. We also gave some gifts to the room mate for his children. We had felt impressed to bring boxes of Miscellaneous gifts and this is one home where we used them.
We then were happy with our accomplishments and set off for home. Tomorrow as to bring another day of delivering gifts.
On Christmas Morning, we awoke around 7 a.m. We had Grandpas famous French Toast. We had the night before left a note for Santa to leave nothing for our family. While the other children were basking in Santa’s gifts, we were on to deliver more gifts.
We began at the home of Marcos. He had four grand children. He told Jake that his wife was a member of the Church. He had requested some information in Spanish on the church and we provided some for him as well as the Hymns. He brought two other men over who also had children. We got from our extra gift boxes and gave them many many gifts. We didn’t give them all though, I wanted to save some as we didn’t know what lie ahead for us. Marcos was very appreciative and talked to Jake more about the church.
The next home was another highlight of the trip. We knocked at the yellow house around 9:30 a.m. We were not able to reach them by phone and were unsure if we could connect. We knocked and knocked but could get no one to answer. We went back to the car and loaded the gifts and just then the mother poked her head out of the door. We then unloaded again and brought the gift inside to the surprised family. The small boy Brian was about 2 years old. He was adorable. He opened up a car that we got him and he loved it so much. We watched as he played with the car. We also got their baby a warm sleeper and a beautiful dress. For the older boy Luis we got him some Legos, and a Diego race track. He loved it. Out of the hallway came two more children. We confirmed how many children where in the house and I was back out to the car to get additional gifts. The family offered us some drink like cider with fruit inside. It was warm and we drank quite bit of it. We said goodbye and were off to our next home.
Max was the next receiptient. He had just one daughter. He was waiting for us outside and we gave him the bags. He told us his wife had taken his daughter for a walk. Regardless, we happily left the gifts and moved on.
We went to go and see the Abuela but she wasn’t home. So we planned to return to her later.
Our final home was the ward members. I had saved many special gifts for them. There were four boys. We had over 12 gifts for their family. Including a castle, two soccer balls, risk, dominoes, race track with two cars, two MP3 players. It was delightful. The boys kept on saying this is AWESOME. This rocks!
We told many our Christmas Tradition with no gifts. Connor said to me, “I think I will remember a couple of Christmases with gifts but I will never forget any of our Christmases without gifts.”
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