The Christmas lights that never were...

Kyle so graciously accepted the call to string up the Christmas lights. Who ever thought of trying out brand-new lights before hanging them up? Apparently, not me. He got them all up and neither string worked. He then, not-so-graciously, took them down and will try again sometime this week. Until then...

Phone break...

Direction break...

Observation break...

Broken lights...

Perfect day to hang Christmas lights!

Thanksgiving-2014...

I have much to be thankful for this year. 

*Meghan graduated from Snow College with her Associates and is now in the teaching program at UVU. She continues to study hard and work hard, as well. I love being able to talk "the education talk" with her. She has lots of great ideas and enthusiasm for what she is doing. I have no doubt she will be a great teacher. I am so proud of the woman she is becoming.
*Jordan not only chose to serve a mission, but was and continues to be excited about the prospect of teaching the gospel to the people of Mexico. He sent me a letter last week as he was preparing to go and sounded a bit nervous. "Well, Mom, I'm excited!! I can't wait to go!! I am also going to miss the MTC! I'm scared of the transition! Well, I'm gonna have to do it either way!" I love his matter-of-fact attitude. Just like him... Tomorrow, I hope to hear where he is serving in Mexico, who his companion is, etc.
*Kyle has become the "priesthood leader" in the home. I couldn't be more proud of the efforts he is making in his life to be an example to his younger siblings.  When Jordan left, Jacob asked, "So, who's gonna be the good one now?" Kaylie quickly declined. Kyle has stepped up to the plate and is trying to fill those shoes of his older brother. Kyle continues to put up with my rules, ramblings, and regulations, the best that a teenager boy can. 
I love him!
*Kaylie has become my counselor, clothes/makeup adviser, and friend. She loves life and it is contagious! After a tough year last year, she continues to smile and make me smile. I love talking to her! Of all my children, Kaylie loves to talk. And, I love to listen. She finds joy and happiness in the simplest things. I love to hear about her day at school, her new favorite song, her irritating science teacher, or her funny math teacher. I have missed her this Thanksgiving break and can't wait for her return.
*Jacob continues to be my "baby" boy, though there are few indications left that imply such (like the occasional hair-fetish thing). I have tried to be thankful for his last year at Westside Elementary. Unfortunately, it is going by way too quickly. It makes my heart sad to think that none of my children will be with me next year. He has grown up quickly. His friends will come and talk to me in my classroom but he kind of lags behind. Chatting with mom at school is just too much for a 6th grader. He more than makes up for it at home, though. He loves life and plays hard. He just finished volleyball (all girls league-minus his team) and will soon be starting up basketball.

Our Thanksgiving festivities took place at the Backus' home. We were few in number but made the most of it with LOTS of food, sleeping, Hallmark movies, pool, and conversation.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Conversation with Kyle on Saturday...

(or a re-creation of it)

Kyle: Kaylie can't drive dad's van if she gets her license first. He said I could drive it.

Mom: But, if she gets her license first, she will be able to drive it instead of you.

(Kyle walks away, none-too-pleased)

Monday afternoon: Hey mom, I took my permit test!

Tuesday afternoon: Hey mom, I passed my permit test (96%)!

Wednesday Morning: Hey mom, can we go get my permit?

It just takes the right kind of motivation...

Congratulations, Kyle!

From the archives of my camera... 

Hmmm, what to do when Mom's not around?

Is that....whipped cream?

 This girl makes me smile! I love you, too!

Rewind to Halloween...

Jordan's mission has consumed my thoughts these past 6 1/2 weeks. Last Monday, he left for Mexico and Kaylie left the same day for Washington with the Labits. It was more than I could handle. Thus, I have been in a weird kind of "funk" this week. To try and cope, I have watched Hallmark Christmas Specials-one after another- Heartland, and any other Christmas show to try to "feel" better. I didn't even do my normal Black Friday shopping (except for a stop on the way home Thanksgiving night to appease Jacob).

As I looked at the pictures on my camera, I was reminded that life at home keeps going on.... So, to be fair to my children who are still at home, I will continue to blog all the "going's on" at the Paynter home, as well as Jordan's letters. So... let's rewind to Halloween!

We quit asking?!...

And the final results! Not bad for a few novice carvers. :)

Wow! Today was harder than dropping Jordan off at the MTC... I got to speak to him for a few minutes this morning before he left for Atlanta, Georgia and then a flight to Mexico City. He sounded tired and a little nervous. I have never met his mission president and wife but love them already. Thanks for all your support and prayers!

Dear Parents-

Your missionaries made it safe and sound tonight to Pachuca. We just delivered them to the homes of several missionaries where they will spend the night and then we will meet them tomorrow at the Stake Center for mission wide transfers at 1000 am. President interviewed them all tonight after we fed them- we have some great trainers picked out for each of them who we believe will do an outstanding job. We are so impressed with this group of 5  missionaries who arrived tonight from the Provo MTC. We add them to the group of 8 Elders that arrived this morning from the CCM in Mexico City. A total of 13 arriving in this generation. They are exhausted tonight, but in great spirits and anxious to get out there and be missionaries. As I reminded them “this is a once in a life time opportunity for them and we have 18-24 months to give it our all and the rest of our lives to talk about it. No regrets!” President added in the 3 step secret to a successful mission: 1. Be strictly obedient 2. Work your “back sides off”. 3. Love the People    and our main goal is that they become converted to the Gospel themselves first- so that nothing in their life that happens will ever derail them from or shake their testimony- and second, we want them to become the very best teachers of the Gospel. If they baptize along the way finding real converts who change generations to come then that is a HUGE bonus- but not our first priority.

Thank you sincerely, for sending us your sons/daughters to serve with us here in Pachuca. We are blessed and honored. Please know if you have any concerns to contact me through this email and I’ll pass things onto President as needed. Also please continue to pray for them daily as every prayer helps, as the mission isn’t easy; and there may be times that tough love on your end is needed. Once in a while they have to “pull up their boot straps and forget about themselves” and then they get to work and the mission changes their lives. We love you because we love them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

President/Hermana Egbert

Mision Mexico Pachuca

PS : Please forward this to any additional parent emails – I didn’t have every parents email on file. Thanks so much. Hugs from Mexico!

WEEK 5-

Mom!

Ok, this is my serious email:) I love hearing from you all as well! I'm so glad that I have so much support! I'm glad Jacob was able to get the letter i sent him! I have been looking at the Mission Blog a lot recently! It's kind of preparing me for what I can expect!! And I'm hoping that they don't have very many Mice in Pachuca! And i also hope that you guys will get the mouse problem solved as soon as possible!! I hate to sound rude, but I'm glad I left before they started infesting a lot more!! I think they were just scared of me so they hid while I was there!! Isn't it crazy that in just four days I will be in Mexico!! I still can't believe it is almost over here at the MTC! I learned so much here! I just wish I had the chance to learn more! I still need to be more prepared!! I keep feeling these nervous/excited feelings! Well, Andy came into the MTC yesterday and i was able to talk to him and take a picture with him!! We have the same Meal and Gym schedule, but I only have one more Gym time before i leave!! anyways, i'm sure ill run into him before I leave!! I think my spansih is doing pretty well, I still need tons of practice though. but that is what I have the next two years for right? Well, I';m not sure when I will be able to call you all yet, but when I do, i will try and let you know!! also, I haven't looked at my flight plans again, but when i do I will tell you the details!! There have been so many great learning experiences here at the MTC, I can't really chose a favorite! but when I'm in mexico I'll probably look back on one of the things and realize that it has blessed me the most!! well, anyways! I love You! I'm so grateful for everything that you have done for me in my life!! I love you more than you could ever imagine!! I've been missing you tons!! I can't wait to hear from you soon!! Love you!!!!

-Elder Paynter

Jordan and Andy Garza (He's going to an Adriatic mission)

Can't leave the MTC without a "map" photo...

Jordan's latest photo..reminiscent of the 
Book of Mormon cover of long ago.

All is well...

WEEK 4-

11/13/14!!

Holy cow I've been here for almost a month already!! I didn't get a picture of my Ninja costume, but it was just me in my Ninja hoodie! 

We don't get Temple food for free, but I'm willing to pay for it because it tastes way better than any MTC food.... :)

Things are going alright with the companion! We're doing a little bit better with each other! I love the spirit that we feel when we teach together!! It's awesome!!

Today in the Temple I was talking to one of the Temple workers and he said that he served in the Johannesburg Mission! I told him that you served in the Cape Town mission and he told me that about 7 years ago they stopped sending sisters to south Africa! I didn't know that! 

Good Luck with the mice! one of my old Zone Leaders is in Mexico right now and he Emailed me telling me that he had to kill mice and cockroaches this week in his apartment! So, I don;t think that ill be missing out too much with the mice spotting:) EW!

We have two teachers right now, Hermano Salisbury served in SLC and he has some super cool experiences and stories from his mission, and our other teacher is Hermana Moody, and she served in peru! They are both great at spanish and we are learning tons from them! The Visa is ready, they will give it to me right before I leave! Which reminds me, Tomorrow we get our flight plans! crazy! Time is flying by so quickly!!

Make sure to tell Hermana Jensen Thanks for helping me with spanish! Hopefully you will get rid of the mice asap!! Also, tell Greg, Camille Averett, and Emma Bair thanks for sending me mail this week! It's so hard to find time to send actual mail, but I'm trying to mail as much as possible!! Tell Jacob that he can expect a letter back in the next few days!! I'm still looking out for a Sister Thomas! That would be could to meet up!!

Me and Dan Hernandez have been running into each other quite a bit!! It's crazy! He will be leaving before I do, and he has only been here for a week!! 

It was great to Hear from you this week! If you get the chance, read D&C sec.50, It's great! Love you so much!! Miss you tons!! 

-Elder Paynter

Work hard....sleep hard!

                           (Lots of questions about the bird?!!!)

                        First snow of the season...first snow at the MTC!

 WEEK 3: MTC

Awww,

Why'd you need to make me cry....... :( poor chloe:(:( Hope she is doing ok! How did Halloween go?? I dressed up in my Ninja hoodie, and went from room to room, and collected candy. A lot of people dressed up as ninjas because they all made masks with their tshirts. It was pretty fun!! haha, This tuesday we went to the Marriott Center for a devotional, all I could think about was basketball, I got really homesick... Esta bien. The MTC has been pretty great, I ran into Dan Hernandez today!! He's going to Washington DC, Great temple, eh?:)  I can't believe it has been 3 weeks either, already past the halfway mark! It's been real fun, the food is alright.... :P. The food at the temple is so much better, i love thursdays because I get to pig out at the Temple Cafe!! You know how good it is! I've got all of your dearelder mails, i just rarely have time to send letters back, so tell elijah and the neeleys that I will try to mail them back asap! My new companion is great, but this past week me and him talked together alone, he's a really shy and quiet talker, he was talking about how he felt like he needed to go home, it took everything in me to convince him that that is not what he needed to do. He has a hard time learning and paying attention in class, so I pretty much have to teach him spanish 1on1. He thought that because he cant learn very well, that he should have been called to a service mission, but I know for a fact that he was called here for a reason, There is no way I'm letting him go home! He was having a really bad attitude about the MTC and the Teachers, but I reminded him that before the savior stared his ministry, he spent 40 days (about 6 weeks:) fasting and preparing. He experienced all kinds of trial and temptation. But he endured it all, because he knew how much he loved us. Before we even came into this world the savior was preparing to serve others by being perfect. I still can't believe that someone would love us so much to take upon himself every pain, sadness, and affliction. I hope that as we are preparing to serve our missions, we can learn to become closer to christ. I've started reading, Jesus the Christ, and It just helps me to love the Savior even more!!! I miss you guys! I was looking at dads blog, and I saw that picture of me and Kyle at the rooftop dinner, That is honestly one of my favorite pictures!! If your willing, you should print out some of the pictures of me with you guys and some of me with my friends, and send them to me! I would Love that!!!! Love You MOM!!! hope you have an amazing day tomorrow!! I couldn't get you anything special but I hope You like what I send you!!! Love you all!!!

Elder Paynter

 

(Jordan loves to take landscape shots... He does a pretty good job)