Email from Mom: Friday, May 26, 2023

From: Mom
To: Christian.garcia@missionary.org
Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
Subject: Earthquake? No..thunder

Well, that was a fun wake up call on a Friday when I didn't have to be awake early. :/ Thunder shook the entire house and it was quickly followed by lightning you could hear through the glass, another huge thunder boom and then the clouds opened up and it was POURING! I seriously thought it was another earthquake. I tried to get back to sleep but my body was on anxious mode so no go. Oh well, Friday can get started even if I wasn't ready.

How are YOU? How was your week? I am sorry about Monday. My ears are still bugging me but not near as bad and I had the Amazon delivery guy get a supplement that has been helping with my antibiotic so the side effects have not been as bad. Which is a good thing. I couldn't handle anymore of the barfing and knotted stomach! But if it has to be this med then I guess I will find a way to deal. HA Wondering why you are getting an email today? Well, I am headed up to the cabin to get more sandbags filled and placed. I cannot believe the amount of water and Tyler has been trying to get them alone which isn't fair so, B will come home after school and stay the night alone. Well sorta. She is going to a lacrosse state match with Dalin ( you will meet him in Powell ) and then they will both come here and stay. He will be here all weekend to hang and hopefully swim if the weather ever cooperates.

We have literally been pushing to just get through this last week of 'real' school. Chromebooks were turned in yesterday and so not much really happens anymore. And B knows it and is keenly aware of what next week is. Yearbook day on the 30th and then Lagoon on the 1st. Other than that? Middle School can officially suck it and we will never have to go there again! WAHOO! I am stoked beyond words. :)

B had another dermatologist appointment. We are doing this round of accutane real different. In fact, so different that we don't have any other appointments scheduled. He has prescribed 2 pills a day but B is only taking one so we have 3 boxes right now at home. She is working to slowly simmer her body on it which is sure great. And knowing that she won't be pumped full of accutane going to Lake Powell sure has a peace of mind for me. Especially after the burn that she got a month ago. It is a weird approach but her Dr feels good about it and has done it plenty of times so we will give it a go and see what we get. She is happy with where things are heading and her skin is responding so that is a win.

I had some nail appointments this week and a final one this morning at 9. It has been rough not going to lie with the way I am feeling but it has been good to keep moving too. I haven't worked out since last week which I am sure is one reason I feel so dang tired and I am feeling it. My muscles are definitely paying the price. Just even vacuuming last night my legs and arms were like 'holy cow!' I hope by next week I feel like I can get back into it.

It just continues to get crazier and crazier with the countdown on my phone. You will hit single digits tomorrow. 10 days is what it tells me today. I swear you were just getting your call and yet here we are and you are gearing up to head home. :) How are your suitcases looking? Have you gotten rid of a lot of stuff? Have you accumulated more than you thought? Will you be leaving stuff for those there? I'd love to hear where that all stands. Are you excited to come home? Are you ready to be here? I get asked a lot right now if you are excited and ready...I never know how to answer so I am going to ask and let you tell me so I know how to respond from now on. I wish I could say we had a fun week planned of stuff when you get home or that there is a trip planned but I won't. I learned with Kaitlyn coming home that it wouldn't be good. And with all that is going on with a calendar it doesn't help either. But wait...we do have Texas planned for the open house the weekend after the wedding. HA HA HA. Not really my idea of a fun trip but we will make the most of it. Plus we have the 4th of July rodeo in Oakley, Lake Powell, etc that we can look forward to. I love all of that and knowing that all of my kids and a new son in law will all get to be a part of it too. Makes my whole Mom heart giddy.

I am ready for you to come home. I will say that out loud and admit it too. I am hopeful that you take full advantage of what these short 10 days will give you and that you will open your heart more than it has ever been opened so that you will NEVER forget what it feels like to close out two years of a mission. I hope you will allow your heart to feel things you haven't had a chance to just yet and that you will find peace in knowing that your work is done. That you have served the Lord the way He would want you to and that you will proud to report to Him one day on this time. This is the time to reflect while continuing to work harder than ever before. I know you can do it and I know that the Lord will be by your side as you do so. I have you, as always, in my thoughts and prayers. I long to have everyone around the dinner table and on the same continent and it is SO close! Keep pushing forward. Set the example of what a strong working missionary to the end looks like, make contacts that will change and maybe even define your future. Give all you have day in and day out and before you know it, you will be home. I love you. Have the best week and I will talk to you soon.

Mom