Friday, December 20, 2013

I'm a Missionary Mom

So, how does it feel to have Kamiko gone?






Well, it feels just right. It's funny... I told Keenan that since Kamiko left, the house feels different, but it feels how it's supposed to feel. I haven't really cried. Just a few tears on the ride home from the airport. I think it's a real blessing. Really... a blessing from the Lord that I haven't been really sad since he left. I just feel that he's where he needs to be and the family is as it should be now.

President Livingston admonished us to look for blessings of him serving and one is that I'm content with our little family of four right now. I also read his letters and look at the couple of pictures I have of him and I'm so happy for him. He's gonna do great things. The girls are so loving toward each other and toward me. It's great. I hear "I love you mommy" about 10 times a day. That's a noticeable change and it's great. The three of us have always been close, but we're even closer now.

So, it's great to be a missionary mom. I love that kid with all my heart. I look at pictures of him and just smile. I've always known he has potential to be a great leader. I hope this mission gives him the chance to see what leadership he has in him.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Missionary Mom Travels

Well, after Kamiko left on Tuesday, I went to work on Wednesday for my last lecture and to complete my last week of work before Christmas. Currently my students are taking their final exam. Friday was quite the day at work. One of my worst ever. Students with problems, wanting us to solve them, etc. Starlyn and I went and got Dr. Peppers when it was all over. If we were drinkers, we would have gotten something harder.

Saturday we had a work party at Marci's house. It was just us grown ups and spouses. It was great. We really had a good time visiting, eating, etc. Sunday morning I left early to fly out to California to spend a few days with Derek, Rachel, Rose and little Charlie. I hadn't seen him at all and he was almost 2 months old. I got there around 11:00. Derek picked me up. We went straight to their apartment in Burbank.

Rachel's sister and her boyfriend were there and we just visited. Derek left briefly to teach his Sunday School class. I was tired and took a nap in the early evening. I missed going with Derek to the church to see a nativity exhibit. Turns out that John Heder, star of "Napoleon Dynamite" was there. Bummer. I could have met him. That's what I get for taking a dang nap.

Rose is so cute and Charlie is such a good little baby. He was born with Down syndrome, but isn't delayed as of now. Needs no therapy right now. I got to feed him a lot and hang out with Rose. Here's what we did.
Me and Rosie taking a silly picture

Rose and Jackie. He was my buddy and would sit on my feet and keep me warm. Too warm sometimes.


Charlie!

Me and Charlie

Monday: Got up and watched Rose after Derek left for work. Rachel and Charlie didn't wake up until after 10:00 am. I watched the kids while Rachel went shopping. She got groceries and some Christmas stuff. She was happy to get so much accomplished. I remember those days. I had a blast with Rose. She's a cutie. Charlie mostly slept and ate. Again, he's such an easy baby. Derek got home from work and we had yummy teriyaki chicken. I've got to get Rachel's recipe. Kids went to bed and we visited while Derek did some freelance work. Rachel also cut my hair.

Tuesday: Let Rachel sleep in again. Went to Disneyland with Derek and Rosie. Didn't leave til around 11:00, but that was fine. It was slightly crowded, but not bad. The longest lines were for Dumbo and Peter Pan. Those were only 30 minutes. The weather was beautiful. We couldn't get Rose to ditch her glasses for the longest time. Finally Derek sneaked it off of her head when it was starting to slip off anyway. We just went on rides for Rosie. It was really fun. Rose just wanted to see Tiana, the princess from "Princess and the Frog" and Snow White. Well, it's not that easy to find the princesses. When we were deciding what to do next, I suggested we see the parade since I was pretty sure Snow White would be in it. Well, she was, and so was Tiana, so it was a success. Plus, Rose really liked the parade. She'd never seen it before. We stuck around for snow on main street and fireworks, but Rose didn't like the fireworks. I think it was actually the music that was too loud, not the fireworks. We headed out at about 8:00 and got home by 9:00. What a day.

Derek working on Adventure Time

Rose is ready to go to Disneyland

Merry-Go-Round

Tea Cups


Kamiko's favorite ride: Buzz Lightyear


Took raft over to Tom Sawyer Island. It is a very fun place to explore and get dirty
Rosie and her daddy, my baby brother!

Watching the parade
Wednesday: Went to the Burbank Mall and to shops on San Fernando St. Charlie slept the whole time. It was beautiful weather and it was just nice to walk a bit and enjoy Southern California weather. Burbank is a cute town. We got home and started to make dinner. We had a chicken and rice dish that was delicious. Rachel is a really good cook. After the kids were in bed, we watched a documentary on Netflix about 3 young men who left Colorado City and polygamy. It was very interesting.

I know where to go if I ever need a dress for the Oscars. I'm sure all the starlets get their gowns at the Burbank Mall

 




Rosie trying to get cars to go at the toy store in the mall


 
Charlie, Grandma Dana and Rosie








me and the boys: Sam and Jack
 



Rachel and her two babies. She's one busy momma!




Thursday: I was to leave the house around 9:00. However, I got word that my flight had been delayed by 5 hours. BONUS! More time with the kiddos. We just hung out and did go to Trader Joe's, where I bought peppermint Joe Joe cookies and some other treats for the family. We left for the airport around 1:00, after Charlie had eaten. So nice of Rachel to take me to the airport. She's awesome. Just like another sister.

SLC International Airport: December 3, 2013

Since Kamiko was to report to the MTC in Chile, he had to leave Tuesday to be there Wednesday. His itinerary indicated that he'd be flying with an Elder Birch. When we got to the airport, we met Elder Birch and an Elder Ware and Richards. The 4 of them were to travel together. Birch is also going to Santiago North. The other two are assigned to Santiago South. Elder Birch also turned 20 in August and his dad served a mission in Bolivia. Elder Richards' mom is on facebook quite a bit, so it's fun to see her stuff from her son and I imagine she enjoys stuff from Kamiko.


pulling the bags

Elder Richards, Ware, Adcock and Birch


Look at how short my kid is

Don't these boys look great!?




Kiko and his sisters!

Allie and Mel on the drive home. 

Ornament that Starlyn made for me

Kamiko in the MTC with Elder Cisneros, from Mexico

First picture I saw of Kamiko. Elder Richards sent this to his mom.
We stayed for about 30 minutes, taking pictures, visiting, etc. It was really nice. Not rushed, like the Provo MTC is now. You just get to drop your kid at the curb. Mel had been dreading Kamiko leaving. She really cried when it was time to say good-bye. We all survived, though. I told the other moms that since Kamiko was the senior member of the group and spoke some Spanish, he'd get them all there safely. Well, that was a bad idea. I found out later that Kamiko left his passport on the plane that went from SLC to Atlanta. Luckily, they were able to return to the gate and his passport was safe. It sounds like it was close. The elders were willing to stay behind with Kamiko. In Atlanta, they were joined by an Elder from Spain. Kamiko was able to translate some for him, since he speaks no English.

We heard briefly from Kamiko on Thursday... the keyboard was weird and he was safe. We got more information the following Wednesday. That's where we learned about the passport and that he's not pooping because he's eating only dessert and chicken patties and drinking sprite. He really enjoyed time with the latin elders. They really embraced him. He played soccer with them and arm wrestled with them. He was sad when they all left after 2 weeks. I guess a new batch has arrived by now.


Getting Kamiko off to Chile

So, November basically went like this:

November 18-19: Try to get Kamiko to do last minute things to prepare to leave. Buy remaining little things.

November 20-22: Work

November 22: Kamiko's last day of work at Franklin Covey warehouse.

November 23: Finish shopping. Finish preparing for farewell.

November 24: Kamiko speaks in church, followed by A LOT of well-wishers in the house. Morning shift got hot cocoa, nut breads and fruit. Afternoon crowd got kalua pig, teriyaki chicken, rice, macaroni salad, green salad and cookies. By the way, the sacrament meeting was great. Haydn Bowden spoke and so did Dan Helie. Kamiko thinks highly of both. Haydn is a priest and Bro Helie has been our home teacher, taught Primary with Kamiko and is his friend Todd's dad. It was a great talk on missionary work and he shared an experience he had last year while waiting to get home Thanksgiving weekend. I got lots of comments on how well he did. It really is your kid's first big-kid talk. He did great. I didn't even cry.

Kamiko got his TA name tag back. KC, Starlyn, me, Kamiko, Ali, Steve, Annie, Mat and Kat

My boy gave a great talk


The family: Melia, me, Kamiko, Allie and Keenan

November 25: Decorate for Christmas and take down Thanksgiving decor. Help Kamiko finish packing.

November 26: Drive to Denver

November 28: Thanksgiving in Colorado

December 1: Drive home.

December 2: Kamiko drives around to see people and say good-bye. He finishes packing and re-arranges a few items. Go to Cafe Rio for dinner, but Kamiko can't eat much. He locks the keys in the van when he needs to be home soon to be set apart.

Mike, mom and dad go with us to have Kamiko set apart by President Livingston. He's in our ward and I really like his family. It was a great experience. It made me so calm and ready to take him. He's so ready to go and serve. I'm grateful he's going to Chile. It's gonna be perfect for him!!!!!!!!

Setting Apart of Elder Darren Kamiko Hookano Adcock by President Livingston
Pleasant Grove Manila Stake, 8:30 pm
Grandma and Grandpa Hunter, Uncle Mike, Jon Amundson, Keenan, Dana, Allie and Melia came

President Livingston gave some cousel:
1.     Quoted Kamiko’s mission scripture Matthew 28:19-20
a.     The Lord is with you always, until the end.
                                               i.     We can’t understand how He does it, but He is there
2.     Testified of the difference of each blessing in being set apart. Since he was made stake president last January, he’s set apart almost 100 missionaries and all blessings have been unique.
3.     Matthew 26:36-45 (see JST)
a.     Even when Jesus was suffering, he watched out for and took care of his apostles. He will never leave us.
b.     You might feel lonely, BUT YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
4.     D&C 84:88
a.     You won’t be alone
b.     You can’t fail
c.      You are part of the dream team
5.     Listen to and follow promptings to pray for your family at home
6.     Family is to listen to and follow promptings to pray for Kamiko
a.     DO NOT DELAY
7.     Family needs to write and let Kamiko know of blessings we’re receiving because of his service

Blessing:
1.     The Lord accepts you as His
2.     Heavenly Father will bless you with the gift of tongues
a.     It will quickly be apparent that you are able to speak fluently and understand as well as a native.
b.     People will come to you for help
c.      “Take no credit”
                                               i.     this is a gift from Heavenly Father
                                              ii.     Testify of the gift given to help people understand how God works
3.     Blessed with power and protection
4.     Blessed with health
5.     Angels have been assigned to watch over you
a.     You will be aware of them going before you, preparing the way
6.     Families have been prepared for you – pray to find those families to teach
7.     Your family will be blessed while you’re gone
a.     Girls testimonies will be strengthened
                                               i.     Their doubts will be replaced with faith
8.     Prophets met to give you your assignment. They were happy to see your name and assign you to Chile. This call is from Prophets.
9.     Be obedient (mentioned multiple times)
10. Be patient with and help your Chilean companions who have come from humble circumstances.


Note from mom: Kamiko, this was a great experience. I felt the spirit very strongly and felt as if this blessings was specifically for you. It was sweet to see your sisters so emotional. They love you tons. We all love you and will pray for you daily, even many times a day. Be obedient and you will see all of this come to pass.

Kamiko said goodbye to mom, dad and Mike. Grandma cried. She is such a good grandma. 

December 3: Get up and have nice breakfast. Head to the airport. Stop and bank to add Keenan to his account and stop at Covey on the way to turn in his badge. We got to the airport a couple of hours early and met the elders with whom he'd travel and spend time in the MTC.