We spent all day Sundays plus Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night with the local ward.  To the right in the photo below is our Bishop Dino. He was one the funniest and happiest people I’ve ever met, plus being a bishop, in my opinion, makes that even rarer.  Next door to our building was a very vocal baptist church that met outdoors and sang the longest loudest song I’ve ever heard. It honestly lasted through our entire sacrament meeting. I suspect that’s done on purpose. The theme of HEFY this year was “There will be miracles”.  and there definitely was for me and TT and a few of the other kids.

The first thing I noticed was the light about the ward members. They were warm and welcoming, excited to have us with them and as curious about us as we were about them. I loved listening to them sing the hymns.  They sang like they meant the words and not only were committed to be there but really enjoyed it.  
A few of the evenings we would split up and go visit local members and bring them a message. We had a translator with each group – either one of the trip leaders, a set of missionaries, the bishop or in this house their son, who took our photo, spoke english.  He learned how from watching YouTube.  They all fed us Coke and pineapple Fanta (which is delicious btw and I don’t think you can find it here).We also had several activities with the youth: Zumba dancing; martial arts; a talent show; and a couple of really amazing firesides. TT didn’t miss a single chance to dance, act goofy or make people laugh. We celebrated two family holidays over there – my birthday & Father’s Day.  Lelu and Ari spoiled B back at home and I prepared some love and surprises for him too.  The coolest thing about being over there on Father’s day was videoing three sets of missionaries wishing their dads a happy Father’s Day. They all gave me their dad’s cell phone numbers and I was able to text the videos to them. (I honestly don’t think it’s very fair that they only call on Mother’s Day) It made me feel very good and I’m pretty sure it made their day too.  The middle guy in this family we visited was the only member.  He lived in the concrete house behind us. He invited a friend over and his mother to join us.  We gave them a message about prayer while Bishop Dino translated into Portuguese and the son translated iinto the tribal language that his mother spoke.  Maybe one these awesome guys (who kind of became the three muskateers) will come back as a missionary and serve Mozambicans again?  I would LOVE that so much!  The kid on the left is named Sam.  He’s from Las Vegas and is TT’s age.  This 16 year old boy gave the most thoughtful and spiritual prayers and genuine prayers I’ve ever heard….  I wish I could explain the feeling and sentiment because I will never forget the spirit. This was a dance party where they all tried to bust out some moves…TT doing the worm.

One of the most unique parts of this trip was II got to experience TT in his natural habitat and let me tell you, doing the worm was a very minor one of his many entertaining talents.  It’s ironic that at home I see very few sides of TT and his external charm.  I’d wish or like to believe I see “the real TT”, but that is not really the case.  This trip was a rare opportunity.  He is a ginormous tease, hilarious, extroverted, a hard worker, kind and thoughtful in his own subversive way, super sweet to all of the children, and willing to do anything crazy for money or a laugh or with intent to be a legend all while befriending everyone. Some of the kids thought they were too cool for some of the others and a couple cliques formed, but TT did not take part in that at all (nor did Chase or Sam or Noah).  He was the same friend to everyone.  This trip was full of magical mommy moments. I don’t know what this is called but my kids like to set it up in weird public places too. Ari says we should call it “The NO Chair Sit”This kid is Noah.  He also has the talent of giving amazing prayers.  He’s going to be a senior from Lindon and plays La Cross so well, he’s kind of famous amongst all the high school players. Apparently all of TT’s friends on the CC varsity team hate playing against him.  He wants to play for Rutgers University when he gets back from a mission. TT really bonded with him and I thought he was a great addition to TT’s pretty awesome friend group.   It’s not like good-looking, super athletic, smart teenage boys can’t be kind, hard-working and spiritual – but I do think it’s rare and at first I was skeptical, but I believe he’s one of those exceptions.    This is Heidi, her dad was the other parent on the trip.  She was very friendly and keeps everyone in touch after we got back.  The children would teach the kids to dance between meetings in the courtyard.  We would walk to the members homes from the church through the quicksand.  Some of the people we visited lived a good distance away and there were no streetlights. Walking back in the dark in that sand took some real faith, as there was trash, including broken bottles mixed in to it and the girls and I wore sandals.  No one was sliced, punctured, sprained or bruised and that alone was a miracle.    I shouldn’t have favorites, but these two girls were mine. On the left, Chandler, is the smiliest, happiest, funniest genuine young woman. She has her mission call to the Philippines and leaves this month.  The other girl, Cat, was kind, fun, sweet, helpful, thoughtful, most easygoing girl and therefore, TT’s favorite target to tease.  She turned 18 two days after my birthday and had she not been 2 grades older than TT, I would have really liked to arrange their marriage;)  Sam really likes her too, so TT just created a friendship bond with her and they’ve stayed connected. She’s come over a couple times since the trip but is heading down to St. George to go to Dixie.  She laughed at and took all of his teasing with a smile. I talked to her a few times and she shared with me some of her personal struggles going on at home, and it just made me love and respect her more. Every single night when we got back to the hotel no matter how late, we’d have a devotional by the kids. Everyone was exhausted and some of the kids fell asleep but I was impressed with their meaningful messages. There was a little marshal arts training and some serious wrestling. This photo was taken in their chapel.  All three of those girls in the front row are going on missions.  Clara is going to Riverside CA, Dani in the middle is going to San Diego, Chandler on the right is leaving for the Philippines this month.  Even though I turned 50 eight hours earlier than I would have if I were at home, I had a pretty cool birthday.  TT stole the key to my room out of my back pack while I was eating breakfast and went in and decorated. Our trip leaders had the lady who brought us lunch everyday bring a cake and then we went to a pizza restaurant that had mexican pizza,  within walking distance of our hotel. It was pretty tasty.  We were able to reuse the birthday decorations for Cat and Noah who both turned 18 the same week.

My kids had written on 50 post-it notes telling why they love me.  Lelu also contacted most of my friends and family that she had contact info for and made me a video with so many of my favorite people videoing personal and amazing messages and sentiments.  It was like a video group card only waaaaaaay better.   I was able watch it about midnight on my birthday when I had finally had WiFi and just cried.  It was the best gift ever! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who participated!