Missionary Phone Call

As we were just sitting in the family room this evening, Conrad's cell phone rang. He answered and heard, "Dad, turn on a computer." It was Deric calling from Honduras to tell us that he could Skype today. We quickly booted up the computer and waited for him to be online. He called and we were able to visit for about an hour. Deric had used the zone leader's phone to make the call and they were at a member's home in Choluma to use the internet. There is no internet in Deric's area.

First of all, about 3 weeks ago, Deric e-mailed to say that he had left his Driver's License, personal ATM card, temple recommend, and a copy of his passport on the bus. I was notified within 30 minutes of it happening so it wasn't really a problem. I cancelled the ATM card and got to work on the replacement driver's license. Well, today, I was showing Deric the new license that came on Friday. It doesn't have a picture, it says "Signature on File," and it says "Valid Without Photo." It is a cool license. Deric held something up to the camera. It was the driver's license that had been lost. I asked how he found it and he told us that it found him. This last week, he and his companion were walking on the highway when a bus passed them and pulled over to wait for them to pass. As they passed, the driver stuck his head out of the window and showed them the cards and asked if it was one of their companions (that's what non-members call all missionaries). Deric looked at the stuff and said, "That's me." What a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father. However, the ATM card won't work and the new one isn't there yet. Oh, well. As stingy as that kid is, I'm sure he still has cash he took to Honduras with him about 21 months ago.

We were able to talk about some of the things we all want to do while we are there. Felycia wants to go to Copan (ruins from the Mayans). I told Deric I want to go to the beach. I just want to dip my feet in the water to say I've been in the Caribbean. There is a waterfall south of San Pedro Sula that we are planning to visit. We asked Deric about going to church while we are there. He said that we would probably like to go someplace with air conditioning. That might be nice. The temperature is generally in the 90's with 80% humidity. I just might die while we are there. We also want to do plenty of shopping. I told Deric about a handicraft mall I've read about. As I was telling him about it, he looked like he knew what I was talking about. He said that he knows a man who has a shop there. He's going to try to find out exactly where his shop is so we can be sure to visit. We want to support those members who are trying to support their families.

Deric would like to visit some of his areas. He told us that as of now, the furthest area from San Pedro Sula is about 3 hours in the car. That won't be too bad. Deric was worried that going to Copan will be too expensive. He said that it costs $25 to get into the ruins and then tours and stuff are extra cost. We told him that we were looking at a tour that includes transportation from our hotel, a bi-lingual guide, bottled water, lunch, entrance to the ruins and some other sites for $100 per person. I don't think anyone there spends that much money for a single thing. I could tell by Deric's face that $100 is a whole lot of money. He will be in shock when he gets home and sees how much gas costs.

Felycia and I just kept laughing as Deric spoke. He has an accent now that I haven't noticed before. His English is still good, but it's different. A young man in our ward returned from his mission in El Salvador about 1 1/2 years ago. Deric sounds just like him. He said it is probably because he is teaching English classes now and has to speak a lot slower for the natives to understand.

It was fun to visit with our missionary today so we can still e-mail with him tomorrow afternoon. We can hardly wait to see him in just a few weeks.

College Life

Felycia is nearly done with her first semester in the elementary ed program at Dixie College. Tomorrow is the last day of regular classes, then 2 finals Friday, 2 on Monday and 2 on Tuesday. She works on Thursday and Friday and then she gets to come home for 4 days before going back to work and the Summer Term. She finishes up Summer classes right before we go to Honduras.

I'm excited to have her home for a little while. We have lots of work to do in Deric's room and some sewing projects to finish up. I hope we have enough time to get it all done.

In Honduras

We all had a chance to e-mail with ElDeric yesterday. Conrad was chatting via e-mail much earlier than Felycia and I were. Deric was in the office working on a computer problem but needed some help from his dad. They spent most of the afternoon working on it together. Conrad was really good about not asking "Dad"-type questions until Deric let him know it was okay to be family instead of technical support. Once family time was over, it was straight back to technical support. Conrad said he even remote controlled into the computer in Honduras to really see what the problem was. They got part of it fixed, but I guess it will have to wait until another day because Deric finally had to leave to get back to his own area before it got too late.

Here is the news from Honduras. Deric had two more baptisms on Saturday. They have been working with this one family for quite some time and baptizing them one or two at a time. Now, it's just the father. He still has to get a divorce and marry his current companion.

Deric told Felycia that he is learning a little bit of Spanish Sign Language. There is a little boy in the ward who is deaf.

We have decided that we want to do something for Deric's mission, so here is what we have decided. We are collecting new and gently used white shirts (mostly short sleeves) and ties and socks to take with us when we go to pick Deric up. I am getting excited for this project to take off. I already have some ties and a $20 donation. The money is the most fun for me because I love the hunt for a great bargain. Those of you who know me well realize that I will probably get at least four shirts with $20. My goal is to have an entire suitcase full of things to leave. I do have an ulterior motive. I want space to bring home souvenirs. Yes, I am selfish that way.

Conrad asked Deric about sizes for the shirts. Deric said that most of the Honduran missionaries (the ones who need help the most) are only about the size of Felycia. I'm not sure what that is in men's shirt sizes, but Felycia wears a ladies medium in most shirts.

What A Month!!!!

It has been a while since I posted anything. Life has been extra busy. After we got home from Ohio, I worked extra hours to try to catch up with things. We've had 3 major registration days along with getting ready for summer camp and the normal stuff.

Felycia came home for Spring Break on March 13. She didn't want to miss church because she had just missed for Ohio. Becky had given her a cook book while we were in Ohio. It's for cake pops. I don't know who may have heard of them, but we had to give it a try. Because it's Felycia, we made the ladybugs. I hate to say it, but the photos are much cuter than they really were. They weren't bad to eat. They were just a little too sweet with the candy coating and frosting mixed in with the crumbled cake.






I have also planted my flowers for the spring. I found snapdragons this year. I was excited because they remind me of my grandparents. I remember them at the Flinders' and the Reynolds'. Grandma Reynolds taught us to take the flowers off the plant and make them talk by squeezing them. I made sure I had some orange and some purple to remind me of the kids. I love my little garden spot with my bench. It makes me smile whenever I see it.




In our part of town, the RedRock Stake hosted the 2nd annual "Formal" dance. Basically, it's a Mormon Prom. The boys ask the girls, or the girls go blind if they don't get asked. Then, a date is arranged from the other side of town. Fancy dresses, hair, flowers, and dinner are involved. One of the young ladies from my ward needed some help with a dress, shoes and hair. I borrowed the dress from a friend, bought some new sandals, and had her come over to get her hair done. She did the blind date and had a great time with a young man from Henderson. She came to church the next morning just because she had promised she would. The dance was on the 16th floor of the World Market Center near downtown Las Vegas. They had lots of fun and the young man treated Megan like a princess. That's kind of the point of the dance - to teach the young men how to treat the young women and to teach the young women how to be gracious about it. I was impressed that all the priests from our ward were at church fulfilling their Priesthood responsibilities by 9am. I know some of them didn't get home until 1am. I'm glad we have such great young men and young women in our ward.




One of the full time staff at work has been reassigned. Lalaine will be starting at the SafeKey offices on Monday so we had a little going away party for her on Friday. She didn't know about it. She was in with the teen group and the boss pulled her out to ask her about something. The teens went into the kitchen where the food and gifts were. We all yelled, "Surprise!" when she came in. It was really nice. We will miss her at Mirabelli.

Lalaine with the teens

With Jill and Vanessa

She liked her poster so much that she decided to wear it for a little while.


Our college student is doing well. Felycia showed up at her practicum last week and the teacher said, "I have to leave at 11:30 today so you get to teach this afternoon." Felycia was worried, but she did just fine. After a big group presentation, Felycia went to give a book back to the teacher and the teacher said, "I need to visit with you." Felycia thought back over the presentation and couldn't think of what she might have done wrong so she was nervous. The teacher told her that she had done a great job. She was in command, and spoke up with confidence. The teacher was surprised because Felycia is usually so quiet. The compliment was a boost to Felycia's confidence.

Deric is still loving his mission. We enjoy getting to chat with him every Monday. I usually take my laptop to work and log on to the community Internet. I chat in between customers and phone calls. He had a couple of baptisms last week. One was a big surprise. A lady had set a date for later in April, but she told the missionaries that she couldn't wait that long so they did it right away. Deric is telling us a few things we need to do when we come. Conrad tells me I should just leave it alone until we get to talk on Mother's Day because Deric should be focusing on his mission, not the vacation when we get there. I suppose he's right. I'm just excited.

Last, but not least - We are totally planning our trip to Honduras to pick Deric up from his mission. We are finalizing the dates and times for flights and figuring out the hotel and rental car and what sightseeing we want to do. Gary Richins gave me a book a little while ago about the Mayan civilization. I am really excited to go to Copan, some Mayan ruins in western Honduras. I have a new friend, Nelly who comes to Mirabelli on Wednesdays to walk. She is from Honduras so she gave me tips on food, sights, and souvenirs. I'm glad I will get to visit with her a few more times before we leave. I will make sure to have tons of pictures when we get home. Another "once in a lifetime" trip for us. I wonder where the next one might be...