Moo

Hmmm...

It would seem that I have a new piano student.

Birthday Celebration

David's home from his week-long business trip. So, we celebrated Justin's birthday. Linnea even flew here for Justin.

Loni insisted on helping Justin with the candles. 

TwentyOne

My oldest child is now twenty-one! Crazy to think about. I feel quite old now.

Justin had to work for most of the day. When he got off, I met him at the mall where I took him to see the new Star Wars movie. It was fun watching it for the second time, but even more fun watching it with someone he hasn't seen it. 

Happy birthday, Justin! Stop growing up!

Your Son has Safely Arrived

(James and Sadie, who he ran into at the SLC airport)

The phone call came a little after 8 this morning. Hearing James's voice was like a little piece of Heaven. Waiting until Mother's Day to talk to him again doesn't seem torturous any more.

He's doing great! He has the "sniffles" as he puts it, but is so ready to leave the MTC. He commented on the food, as all missionaries do, saying it sat like a rock in his stomach. I asked James about his responsibilities and he said that there was another Zone Leader who did most of the work because he was never released from District Leader duties. He coincidentally saw Sadie Williams (his friend's sister) at the SLC airport. The MTC was nothing that he thought it would be and better than he thought. James told his dad (who he talked to after since David was in Dallas) that attending the Preach My Gospel prep class didn't prepare him at all. Everything he learned from that class, which he religiously attended for over 2 years, he said was thrown out the window. James was so glad to be done with MTC life and is anxiously looking forward to being in the field. 

(James is the second on the left with his district and President and Sister Jensen)

Later on in the afternoon, I received a phone call from Sister Jensen telling me that my son arrived safely in Des Moines, Iowa. 

(Sigh of relief...)

I'm Still Alive!

Hello all,

I have been given permission to email y'all today for ten minutes since I will be leaving tomorrow. We have to wake up at 3:00am to catch our flight to Denver. Also, I can call home once I get to the airport. I'm not sure if I'm going to do that while waiting for my early morning flight, or during my layover in Denver. Just be ready for a call.

Thank you for the Doughnuts! They were awesome! I decided not to tell anyone about my birthday because I didn't think it mattered. However, while eating dinner in the cafeteria, somehow my district caught wind of it being my birthday. After chastising me on not telling them about my birthday, they surprised me with two gifts. One was a snickers bar. The other was a mysteriously wrapped box that said, "When the gospel is too much, you've got to just let it go". After unwrapping the box it turned out to be laxatives. I love how thoughtful/humorous my district is. I have loved my time here at the MTC, but am excited to go out in the field!

Talk to you tomorrow!

Elder Zinn

Missing His Buddy

Daveo's prayer tonight:

"Bless the two years to go by fast until James gets home."

Clean Up

Spring cleaning came early for us. The City of San Jose set up four dumpsters for our neighborhood to use. We began by loading up our car with unwanted furniture and other "rubbish". As I sat waiting in a long line, I watched as other neighbors were just carrying their rubbish to the bins without having to wait in a line. So, that is what we ended up doing as well. 

It feels great to declutter.

On another note, today is James's 19th birthday. This is the first time he hasn't been home to celebrate his birth. A few minutes ago, Dave-o came to me with the biggest frown on his face. I asked him what was wrong. He climbed on my lap to cuddle and said, "I miss James."

So do I. 

The Red Cape

Loni wears Dave-o's red cape everyday. As she runs, she takes quick peeks behind her as the cape flutters in the breeze. Simple things truly can bring great joy.

Spider Monkey

We went to the library today. Dave-o found books on monkeys (his favorite animal) and Pokemon.

Loni saw a book with a black widow spider on the cover and snatched it up right away. She has this weird obsession with arachnids. I don't know who she might get this from...

End of First Week!

Hello All!

Before I get to the juicy details of my week let me get a few items of business out of the way: I am spending two weeks here, not three. This means the next time you hear from me, I will be in Iowa. Second, I have been receiving the "dear elder" letters. Thank you for them, they have been big boosts to my week. Third, I don't have anything to transfer pictures from my camera to a computer, so....

Day 2 was spent in classrooms, learning about how to invite others to come unto Christ. In the breaks between classes, we spent time getting to know one another in our district. Yes, my companion as well as all the other elders in my district are going to Des Moines Iowa. In the evening our branch president, President Briscoe, talked to our zone. At the end of the meeting, Pres. Briscoe announced he would be assigning callings in our zone. To my horror, he assigned me to be the District Leader. This meant that I would have tons of responsibilities piled on me on top of my already busy schedule.

Day 3 I started my DL duties. One of my main responsibilities is to make sure everyone in the district feels loved. This has been difficult for me to do because I do not like to speak to people in general. But after stretching myself a bit, I have found this calling to be a blessing. I am much closer to everyone in our district because I have spent time talking to each of them and asking how they are doing.

Day 4: Today was essentially a repeat of all the other days. I would go to class, then eat. Go to class then eat. Teach a fake investigator then eat. Luckily there is root beer at every meal.

Day 5 was a Sunday. To everyone's surprise, one of the zone leaders went home. His companion, Elder Maccabe, was temporarily assigned to my companionship. Elder Maccabe is the most positive and talkative elder ever. He has brought a new dynamic to Elder Traywick's and mine silently beautiful relationship. Although he has driven me slightly insane, I have grown to appreciate his companionship. Sunday was an awesome day because it broke up the monotony of the week days. In the morning, we walked around the Provo Temple. And yes I took pictures. At our devotional, we were addressed by Janice Perry who is apparently the composer of many hymns. At the end of the day, a leadership meeting was held in our zone. In this leadership meeting, Pres. Briscoe turned to me and said, "Elder Zinn, you don't have enough to do. Why don't you become the new ZL?". At this point I was reminded that the Lord qualifies whom he calls. So I knew I would be able to also take on this calling with the Lord's help.

Day 6: Almost all of today was spent role playing teaching investigators.

Day 7: Today was Tuesday and the hardest day so far. Our companionship spends nearly every waking second thinking about and studying to teach investigator and yet none of our appointments have gone as planned. Our last appointment of the day to teach an investigator was one I was dreading. Luckily it was a very successful visit. Even though we know they aren't real investigators, it is awesome to see how our diligent studying and listening to the Spirit had paid off.

It is strange to reflect back on this week. It has easily been one of the busiest and hardest weeks of my life. Even though I did not spend it doing things I used to consider fun, it was the most satisfying/enjoyable week ever. There is something to completely dedicating yourself to the Lord. You grow to love people, feast on the scriptures, and forget yourself. 

This is the part I only want my family to read.

Thank you. I couldn't really speak when I said goodbye, but I want you all to know that I love you. I love you Father, Mother, Justin, Steve, Kirsten, Dave-O, and Loni.

El Nino

There's been a lot of rain coming down. El Nino is finally here.

Intertwined

I saw this gorgeous tree on my run today. Its white bark and full branches made me stop in my tracks. The intertwining of the branches caused me to think of all the people that are and have been "intertwined" in my life. Each person has made me who I am. Each person has made my life full and beautiful.

Are You the Tooth Fairy?

 Three days later, and I am still committed to exercising. Today on my hike I saw a hummingbird perched high on a branch, a bunny, and a finch (I think).

After my walk, I worked on packing up the rest of James's possessions. I need the room for Justin to occupy. Dave-o sat on the bed while I worked. He soon spotted a treasure box sitting high on a shelf in the closet. He of course became curious of its contents and wouldn't rest until I took it down to open for him. When I did, we discovered about 9 teeth of various kinds, that I assume must belong to James. Dave-o was confused and wondered why James hadn't put them under his pillow for the tooth fairy to take. I had no answer for him. After a few minutes of silence, my wise 6 year old excitedly said, "I know! When James gets home from his mission, he can stick them all under his pillow and get lots of money."

My question is: What the heck James! Are you the Tooth Fairy?

Can I Stay in Bed all Day?

 What I really felt like doing today was NOTHING. Even though I had the best night's sleep in five days, getting back to reality was a hard option to take. I wished that I could stay in bed all day. But I didn't. I got everyone fed, we did school, and I even exercised. The exercising part is something I have wanted and needed to start up again, but was failing in the motivation department. Well, for some reason, today was the day to start. I didn't want to go to a gym full of people. My soul needed the peace that only nature could provide. So, I drove the short distance to our foothills and enjoyed a long hike. It felt so good to be with my own thoughts without any distractions. My mind, body, and soul feels rejuvenated now, (which wouldn't have happened if I had stayed in bed.)

Saying Goodbye

This is the day that I have been planning for ever since the birth of my children. Raising strong young men and women who will have the desire to serve a mission, was my course. Yet, reality hasn't been kind to me. I don't want to let go of James. I'm not ready to say goodbye to him. He will be turning 19 in ten days, and yet I still see him as a little boy. The smiles in the pictures are a facade of what is happening to my heart; for it feels like my heart is breaking.

Prospective missionaries need a testimony of their Savior and the Gospel in order to leave. However, what nobody ever talks about is the parent(s) having a testimony as well. Let me honestly say, if I did NOT have a testimony of the truthfulness of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, than I would NOT be able to get through these next two years. My testimony is the only thing keeping me from locking James up in a room and never letting him go.

The morning went really slow. David and I took James to Target to buy a couple of things we forgot to get for him. Then we packed up, had an early lunch, and waited. As noon time approached, we said tearful goodbyes and drove away. My last image of my missionary, is of him standing outside on the driveway with his Uncle Douglas, Ammon and Nikkaila. What a relief it was for me that they would be driving James to the MTC and not me. I didn't want my final image of him to be walking through those doors.

While waiting to board our plane, Douglas called to tell me that "the package had been delivered". Ammon sent me some pictures of the moment.

I thought of James the entire flight home, wondering how he was. Praying that he won't be homesick.

We left the snow covered jagged peaks for our rolling green hills and mountains.

Yeah! We're home!

Steven and Dave-o picked us up at the airport. It was a happy reunion. I felt my entire body collapse just moments after sitting down in the car. The no sleep and stress of the last four days had finally caught up with me.

First Day!!!

What a surprise it was to get this email from James this evening. Knowing that he is loving the experience brought much needed relief. Sleep will finally come easy for me tonight.

Greetings,
I have been given five minutes to email you guys so let me give you a quick rundown.

Driving up to the MTC I was extremely nervous, but as I walked up to the curb, I was immediately greeted by the comforting feeling of the Spirit. I don't regret anything as of now and am loving this experience so far. My companions name is Elder Traywick from Alabama. He is just as quiet, if not more, as me. I love you all.

That's it for now,
Elder Zinn

MTC Eve

After doing a little shopping at Target and JC Penny, we ventured outside for a walk in Utah's winter wonderland. Loni loved walking in it.

Our destination was a bakery a few blocks away. 

After that, David, James, and Kirsten drove to U of U to pick of Mathew Sundstrom. They found an awesome sledding hill in Provo Canyon and had a blast.

I stayed home with a napping Loni. Nikkaila came over and we watched old movies and talked about her mission while removing countless pins from all of James' white shirts.

Then in the evening, we met up with Matt and Jessie at Texas Roadhouse. Loni turned into "Lonster", but other than that, it was a great visit. It was nice for James to be able to say goodbye to his cousins.

Off to Utah

Dave-o threw up twice last night. This morning, he told me that he didn't feel well enough to go with us. It was heartbreaking. This little guy has had his backpack packed and ready to go for two weeks. What a sad twist of events! Steven and Justin are stepping in to take care of him.

I was not happy to see that the airplane we'd be flying on was a prop.

Loni shared my concern. She made sure she was holding on to both of her armrests.

Entering Salt Lake.

 The smoggy affects of inversion.

Our first feel of Utah cold. We're not in California anymore.

Mom and Dad met us at the mall for lunch and shopping at Mr.Mac. They are staying in a hotel in Salt Lake City for the night. 

 None of us enjoyed the experience of Mr. Mac. We had a pushy sales lady who tried to make us feel bad if we didn't want to buy something that she threw in our faces (not literally). She would say, "But don't you want what's best for your missionary?" Ugh! We couldn't wait to leave that store.

We all drove to Douglas' house to have dinner. Nikkaila, Ammon, and Malena were there to greet us. Douglas was in Texas on business, but he had left us his famous shepherds pie in the refrigerator to be warmed up. I am grateful for this opportunity my parents had to say goodbye to James.

(Thanks for the picture, Mom)