Journey to Big Bend, TX

     After taking care of some mission business in Odessa and Midland, we had the opportunity to head south, explore and enjoy the Big Bend area of Texas.  We went to Fort Stockton, Texas.  Spent the night with Elder and Sister Shurtz.  Wonderful couple.  Then the next morning, we headed to the Sonora Caverns.  The Shurtz' and two of our Ft. Stockton missionaries, Elder Martinez and Elder Costley,  also joined us.  Two other Senior missionaries, Elder and Sister Fields (serving in San Angelo, TX) met us at the caverns and we had a great time exploring the caves together. 
     At the end of the day, we went back to Fort Stockton and the Shurtz' took us on a tour of the historic town.  It was originally a cavalry fort.  Then it became a military base years later.  Now it is a regular town - no more military.
     The next day, we headed down to the Big Bend.  With the Rio Grand River forming the border between the United States and Mexico.  There are many, many hiking trails there.  We chose not to hike but instead had a wonderful dinner at the Chisos Lodge and then enjoyed Rootbeer Floats on the lodge patio as we watched the sun set.  We spent the night there - being entertained by a few wild animals.
     After another day at the Big Bend, we headed back home to Lubbock.  Sooooo relaxing and soooo enjoyable.  Beautiful.  Many areas reminded me of home...  UTAH!

 

 We had a wonderful time.  Worth the long, long, long, long, long drive.

Lubbock Dust Storm

 

Click on the video to see what the Haboob looked like.  To see other videos of the Haboob, just google "Haboob Lubbock, Texas"

 

Eugene's New Shoes!

          Eugene developed a problem with his left foot.  It is called Plantar Fascitis.  It is an inflamation of the fascia (that's the tendon that connects the front of the foot with the heel.)  It was getting pretty painful.  Our son James suggested that he get a pair of "five finger shoes".  A lot of people who have feet problems like that, find them very helpful in the healing process.  Sooo, on a whim, we stopped at a sporting goods store on our way home from the office.  It took him a while to figure out how to get all of his little piggies into the toes of the shoes, but, in the end - sure enough, we take home  a new pair of really, really strange looking shoes.

 

This little piggy went to market!

I think I need help!

Yes!  She works here.  Texas dress code is comfy - not formal.  And she knew what she was doing.  Because 30 minutes later ---

Eugene had a new pair of comfy (expensive - but comfy) shoes.  It's like being barefoot but keeps your feet cleaner!  (I think he was trying to tell me something!!!)

Zone Conference - August 2011

          As part of our mission assignments, we have had the privileged to drive around the mission from one end to the other.  From side to side.  And in the process, we have seen some of the interesting parts of West Texas and Eastern New Mexico.  Consequently, our children were questioning whether we were actually here on a mission or just on an extended vacation. Sooo, at our recent Zone Conferences, we took pictures.  Pictures of the whole zone and pictures of us with each district as they had one on one interviews with the president the day before.  Proving we really are here on a mission and not just playing.
          Please note that I have not put names on the pictures for the most part.  This is to protect the missionaries.  The names will, however be found in our scrapbook after we return home.   Until then, just enjoy their cute faces.

          These were by no means all of the pictures.  We must have taken between 75 and 100 pictures.  But we knew we could never get them all in one blog and still keep you awake.  We just picked a few from each zone.
          Of course we had some helpers with the camera since we were to be in each of the district pictures.  Our office elders were more than happy to take the pictures.  However when I looked at all of the pictures, I noticed someone had TOO much fun with the camera!  I've decided that no matter how old they are - Boys will be boys!

Elder Wittwer from St. George and Elder Stoker from NSL (Bountiful). 

Yep, these two keep the office hopping --- and a lot of fun! 

New Mission President

     We had officially been on our mission for 1 whole year on July 5, 2011.  Our wonderful Mission President, John Lee Robison and his sweetheart of a wife Joan left to return home in Bountiful, Utah after 3 years as president of the Texas Lubbock Mission.  We will really miss them.  They had a warmth and love about them that made being a Senior Missionary (or any other missionary for that matter) easy, rewarding and enjoyable.  They really made us feel loved and appreciated.  There wasn't hardly a day that went by without them telling you how much they appreciated you and how you were needed.

We will always be grateful for the friendship that grew and the honor it was to serve with them.

Enter new Mission President and wife:

President Arnold R. Augustin and his wife Kathee

President and Sister Augustin come to us from Bountiful, Utah.  He worked in the public relations department of the church.  And at one time was a news reporter and anchor man for Chanel 2 news.  Has many wonderful stories to tell.

Now it is official -

We presented them with the new 

Texas Lubbock Mission Blanket and they are now

IN CHARGE!

Flat Tire - Elders to the Rescue

     On our way home from one of our Zone Conferences - May 2011 - to be exact, we encountered a very large piece of re-tread laying in the middle of the road.  Normally, in our own car, Eugene, who was the driver, would have just swerved to miss it.  However, he was driving a large van, pulling a large enclosed utility trailer and...  he didn't see it until just before he HIT IT!  Bam!  Shhhhhhhh!  Thump, thump, thump! Ding - ding - ding - ding - ding!  

DANG!!!!!!!!!!

YEP...  IT'S FLAT!  In fact, it knocked it right off the rim!

Sure glad the Vehicle Coordinator, Elder Stoker (left) is with us.  He'll know what to do. 

"Hey Donkey!  Looks like we have company."

Elder Wittwer jacks up the van while Elder Stoker and Elder Bradshaw supervise.

There's got to be a way to get this spare out of here so we can change the tire!  But how?

Sister Carbine says,  "May I suggest you find the manual and see what it says?"

Ahh Haaaa!  Now that's tricky!

OK - now take off all of the lug nuts and...  


"Hey guys!  Look at this..."

  

New tire on - Lug nuts on...

Make sure they're tight Elder Carbine

Let down the jack Elder Stoker...

Done!

And we're on our way again!

Buy...  Nice watchen' ya!