Season's over :-(

I'm not talking about the season finale of a TV show either... to be honest we don't watch much TV unless it is on ESPN! :-) It's was kinda sad to see Kyle (#8) play his last HS baseball game. He LIVES for baseball! I'm sure he'll play ball with American Legion this summer. (Who cares about working and saving money for his mission when he can play ball??) Last Saturday was his last HS game. Denbigh lost in the District tournament. They got to play at a semi-pro baseball stadium... that part was pretty cool! Kyle continues to hope he can play baseball in college. He has been talking with the baseball coach at SVU (Southern Virginia University) in Buena Vista, VA. We'll see if he is offered some sort of scholarship. SVU is a small private university owned by LDS businessmen. They have an honor code much like BYU. He has been accepted to SVU but if he doesn't get some sort of scholarship, he will probably just go to BYU-Idaho. He will be graduating in 3 weeks and turning 18 in 2 weeks!! He is a great kid! He is an incredible missionary. He has already baptized 2 of his friends! Kyle looks forward to serving a mission in a year!

A VERY happy Mother's Day!!!

This Mother's Day was the BEST yet and it has nothing to do with the new camera I got... it was the BEST Mother's Day ever because we got to talk to our missionary, Elder Hodges. For those of you who have or had a missionary... I know you can relate... all of the rest of you will think I am crazy until you have a missionary out. It's amazing how just the sound of their voice makes you cry. David called us briefly on Saturday to give us the number we were suppose to call and the time for us to call on Sunday. Well, the caller ID said some city in Massachusetts (because of his calling card) so I figured it was a telemarketer but I answered the phone anyway. And then I heard, "Hello" and I said, "David?!!" A mother can never forget the voice of their child. Just that brief phone call made my Saturday brighter! So, you can imagine how Sunday felt. We talked to him for a total of 3 hours but not all at the same time. His companion and David were taking turns using the phone but it worked out great and we savored every second of it! We are VERY thankful for his mission president, President Matern. That he doesn't put a 30 minute limit on calls home like some mission presidents do. It regenerated me and I know now I can make it for 10 1/2 more months until he gets home! I just hope I can make it through 4 more missions with Kyle, Tanner, Brett, and Luke! I'll tell you I hope all of the others go on stateside missions! It's such a pain worrying about calling cards/time difference... then the other thing is mailing packages would be much simpler if they were in the US. Anyway... it was a great day! I did get breakfast in bed and chocolate covered strawberries too but the phone call was the best!!!

Elder Hodges, Matthais (member who took them hiking like every p-day) & Elder Keeler

Elder Hodges (back row, 3rd from right) & missionaries along with President & Sister Matern at the Swiss Temple. ~February 2009~

Elder Hodges with his new European tie that he had to take a picture for us to see! Missionaries get excited about the craziest things!! :-)