Email from Mom: Thursday, July 14, 2022

From: Me
To: Christian.garcia@missionary.org
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2022
Subject: Lake Powell

Hey,

How are you? How has your week been? How are your goals coming along? How is your companion doing with learning to ride a bike? Now that you are in charge of setting goals, how does that work and what kind of goals are you working on and hoping for in this transfer?

Things here are good this week. Trying to get ready for Lake Powell has proved trickier than I though it would be. Just a lot of work mostly but it's okay. You just don't realize the amount of behind the scenes work when Chuck does it because he won't let you help. That is why you get an early email this week too. We are leaving to stay the night in Page tonight so we can load the houseboat around 10am tomorrow and get out. Tyler wants to go to a new canyon so we can avoid the Riddle bunch who are scheduled to be down on Saturday. That means for sure we won't have any service so I wanted to make sure I touch basis with you. That also means I will not most likely be able to take a call on Monday either. I am sorry, I hope you understand.

Having Kaitlyn home has been good. Adds a new level of stuff as a Mom but it is okay. She has purchased a car, is out with Brynlee, Bryson, and Parker most nights, and is looking forward to starting school and getting back to work. Her body is slowly acclimating to the United States and hopefully her skin will follow next. She has a dermatologist appointment that hopefully will take care of the red welt things on her legs. Fingers crossed anyways.

Brooklyn has been busy with her online gym as well as helping wherever she can to get this show on the road and to Lake Powell. She is so excited. :)

Lake Powell has it's own madness that surrounds it. We cannot use pin anchors this year because they are fining you for doing so. That means sand anchoring only and that hopefully won't be a big deal with the low water levels. I am hopeful there will be plenty of 'beach' spots that will be good and open. We hit the Costco yesterday for the big grocery shop. It took all 4 of us pushing carts and a small flat bed looking cart and we filled up the entire back bed of Tyler's truck. There is a lot that goes into that part for sure. I just hope everyone has a good time and there will be enough food and treats you know? I just want everyone to have a  good time.

Our weather here is still all over the place. Super hot days with monsoon like showers that hit in the afternoon. Water is good so I can't complain but it is nuts to be in the middle of it. If you don't get out at the pool between 11 and like 3 then you are guaranteed to be in the middle of a rainstorm. Just more to add to the wild ride of weather in the year. :)

I am sure there is cool stuff that is happening there and sights that you don't get to see here. I'd love to see more of your mission and learn more about your mission. I was updating your blog and I would love to be able to include more of 'Africa' if that makes sense. You may never get back there and I just want to be able to have as much of it in print as I can for you. Remember that if you can while you are out and about. Take as many pictures as you can and then be sure to make a note as you put them on the drive so this becomes a priceless memory. Well, I guess if you want to anyways. :) I would also love it if you get a minute to jot down some of the greatest things you have learned in this past year as a missionary and some of the greatest blessings you have experienced over this last year.

I am sorry again that we won't have service after tomorrow but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am hopeful that you are happy and thriving. I pray your companionship is happy and that you are both learning from one another each day. It is surreal that you are starting on your downward slide on this mission of yours. I hope you know how proud I am of you. Keep going to work and giving your all.

I love you. Have the best week,

Mom