We interrupt this regularly scheduled program.....

....or Welcome Home Elder Simmons, Pt 1

This past week we welcomed Elder Simmons home for a brief interruption in his mission to Roseville California. Back in early December, we received some calls from the mission nurse and then most recently more calls from the mission nurse and the mission President as to Sean's health. Unfortunately, he has been experiencing some extreme pain in his back, arms, knees, etc.... During the past few months he has seen some doctors and physical therapists on his mission, however, after a lot of discussion with the area mission doctor, the mission President and the mission doctors in SLC, it was determined that the best course of action would be for Sean to return home for a while to receive some more dedicated health care with some specialists here. So.... we welcomed him home on Monday, Feb 13th - not exactly the Valentines Day gift I was hoping for, but what a wonderful gift it has been to see him. [Flashback 10 years ago..... Sean underwent a anterior/posterior spinal fusion surgery on his upper spine to treat congenital scoliosis when he was in 5th grade. He spent about 10 days at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore for the surgery and initial recovery and then a few months at home before being able to go back to school. At the time, we were told his lower spine would eventually need to be fused as well or he would experience more issues with his back and the internal organs that his lower curve would crowd.] So, how were we to know that this time may be now rather than 2 or 3 years from now. We have an appointment with the spine specialist on the 29th and then also with an internist on the 5th. Hopefully, they will be able to determine a course of action that will alleviate the pain Sean has been experiencing, and allow him to get back to Roseville as soon as possible. His mission President assured us that he was very much needed there as soon as he was well.... So, we have now begun Operation Get 'Em Home (phase 1 complete), Get 'Em Heathly (in progress) and Get 'Em Back to Roseville (to be completed). We've really appreciated the prayers and fasting on Sean's behave. I really tried to deny the fact that his health was compromised and really prayed that he would be able to stay. However, we are sometimes reminded in life, that we are not in charge, sometimes our Heavenly Father has other plans because he knows what is best right here and right now.

And, since we all know I love pictures... here are a few from the airport the other night....

One of our welcome home signs detailing the Plan of Action....

Brothers patiently waiting....

Our first glimpse of him ....

He sees the family, and the welcoming committee (and big thank you's to the welcoming committee who joined us at 10:00pm on Monday night. You all Rocked!)

There he is.....

My handsome Missionary! and his very excited little brother. 

We love you Sean.... so sad that you have to experience an interruption in your mission, but we are so happy to see you and help you get healthy again. You still totally rock awesomeness!

Pictures!

We received some new pictures from Sean today! Of course, I have no captions, names or anything to add with the pics, but here they are! Love seeing pics of Elder Simmons.....this was a nice surprise in the mail today!

Tie Rack!

Sean's Hair is quite like the birds.... lol

Hmmm... Elders Checking Themselves out in the Mirror.

This picture belongs a fews pics ago - when they were carrying axes....

Now thats a nice stash of candy.

I believe this is probably the Ward Mission leader and his family for the ward in Citrus Heights. But not  sure...

1st Transfer!

As of tomorrow Sean has been on his mission for 5 months - can you believe it? In one month, he will have completed 1/4 of his mission. Time goes by so quickly - but also so slowly!

He went through his first transfer last week and today was the first email we've had since he transferred. I've added a little bit of the email below:

Im in Marysville California. Address is 1210 E 22nd #107, Marysville Ca, 95901. Send it there!!!!! lol. My new comp is an elder from centerville utah. The area is pretty great. we have around 10 or so investigators which is way awesome. also 2 baptismal dates. One man who lost his wife about a year and a half ago, starting asking his daughter questions and now is getting baptised jan 28th, the other is a 14 year old boy who is slowly changing for the better, getting baptised feb 4th, we set that date the day i got here... . it will be interesting. The area is very large, we cover marysville and the neighboring town of linda. as well as about 45 mins north and 45 mins east. we're in a car.... its another toyota corolla, not a fan. We need JEEPS! president isnt to open to us getting them though. But the members here are pretty great, had some awesome dinners last week and some great ones lined up this week. Our ward mission leader is awesome as well. I hit 5 months on the 10th, then 6 months on the following. Thats pretty crazy to think about. Other than that its been fun. Love ya guys!

I had to laugh when he suggested they have Jeeps as their mission car.... Hmmm.... can't see that one happening. He will have to be happy with the toyota - which is way better than no car. As always, I love the emails we receive - especially since last week I received such a short email to say he was being transferred. I have put in another request for pictures.... hmmm, we'll see how soon my request from him is granted!

Just 5 more days until the phone call!!!

Was very excited to have a great email from Sean today. Was quite anxious to hear from him - last week wasn't the best week for him, so was anxiously awaiting this weeks email - and it was a great one. Here is what's going on in Sean's World....

Hola! so whats up. We werent in many homes last week and not many things were happening. But just before we got here at the library we picked up a new investigator and we even commited him to baptism which was cool. He had a dog that took over elder stricklands attention unfortunatly so i had to take control. I now know that i could handle taking over in these stuations which is good news. Tomorrow we're also probably going to pick up at least one more investigator. Its a part member family who are trying to get back into the church and the wife said im not officially a member YET.... KEY WORD!!! So were definitly going to pick her up as an investigator tomorrow which is great. Meaning things will finally start happening in the area again. After Jones leaving things kinda slowed down. Ive gotten the package from Aunt Sherlye, its hiding at the owens until christmas day where we will open it. For the christmas call. I will probably call at around 12 or 1 our time. Ill probably send your phone a text that day just to let you know when. This week has been a little different. Monday was a half pday and i went on exchanges with the Zls which was fun. Pday is still the same day just cant always email cause the library is closed on monday. Also district meeting was cancelled which usually happened on tuesday from 10:30 to 12. Then we have what is called christmas run on friday where we and another zone get together at 9 in the morning and hang out and do christmas things and so on. Saturday is a normal day however it will be hard to do work with it being christmas eve. Sunday is a full pday, however its sunday so we will still be dressed up and all. Hang out with the owens most of the day. We have dinner at the trumbells which will be a big meal. Thats mostly our week so a lot to look forward to. Thats pretty awesome to hear that about haidan. I miss the little guys. Look forward to hearing from them thats for sure. Everything is just very exciting right now. Cant wait to hear from you guys.!!!!

It is always so exciting to get an email or letter from Sean. Yes, its true on Monday's I wait for the email to chime! And - this week, I am on major countdown for Christmas Day ..... yes, excited for Christmas, but more excited to talk to SEAN! Wahooo, I cannot wait! Now, if I can only make sure I don't cry while talking to him....but if I do, I will make sure he knows that its because I am so excited to talk to him!!

We Survived the First Holiday .....

We made it through the first Holiday with Sean away from home....okay, maybe I should re-phrase that.... I made it through the first holiday with Sean away from home...although we really missed having him here - and the house was quiet with just 4 of us - we all survived. Sean spent his Thanksgiving with a few families in his current ward and sounds like he had a nice time. Thought I would add some excerpts on the past few emails we've received from him:

Nov 29, 2011
Thanksgiving was a lot of fun for us. We ate at the trumbells for thanksgiving which was a ton of food and then hung out at the owens for the rest of the evening. Kevin will not be getting baptised the 17th, his kids however will be baptised the 16th. TWO weeks away!!! very exciting, whats also very cool is i was asked to do the baptism so thatll be a first. btw yes i have recieved the letters and the package. Thank you so much for that!! .... So i dont really know how the call home works but as soon as i know ill let you know. Im pretty sure it will be happening at the owens though so you may get to talk to them as well.

Yes.... very soon we get to talk to Sean... I CANNOT WAIT!! I am the Mom that has always talked to him everyday, texted a million times, etc.... and it has been so hard not having that instant communication with him... but I am learning!

Nov 22, 2011
....So transfers happened so its now official, me and strickland are companions in the van maren ward. For thanksgiving were going to the owens and the trumbelss. Were basically going to be at the owens all day and were going to the trumbells at 5. So that will be fun. I really dont know what i want for christmas....pictures of you guys ofcourse. A tie or two. Not skinny though just a regular tie. I really enjoy the stocking stuffers you know that, I dont want you guys to go all out though. Foucus on the boys and use what you would put into me on getting the boys ... Church movies and sountracks to them would be nice. Like the best tw years sountrack i would like. Anyways love you guys and miss you a ton as always !!!!!!

Nov 7, 2011

Yes i cant explain how bad last night sucked. thats when jones left. like it really stunk. but yes im with elder strickland now who is from kissimee florida. yes i get along with him very well so the next 2 weeks will be fun. elder roley who was his comp got et'd to rockland because some other missionaries got moved around as well. hahaaha, haidan cracks me up. he definitly knows what to say..... lol. yes its weird, ive been saying i have little brothers who are 7 and 9 but soon it will change lol. it must be very exciting for him. its a pretty big deal. [he is referencing an email conversation we had on Haidan's upcoming baptism] keep me posted on how everything goes. its really hectic right now, all our investigators are either not wanting to visit right now or just simply wont read the book of mormon, but they are slowly getting closer. the youth here are pretty cool. the stake youth actually just put on a play called savior of the world fri sat and sun. we werent sure how good it was gonna be but it actually was really good. a lot of talent and great singers from our ward alone.

We love hearing from Sean - and hearing about his mission. I've put a request out for more pictures, so hopefully he will send some again soon!

And of course..... if you are wanting to write him a letter or mail a Christmas message to him, please do so! He would love to hear from you! His address is listed on the right side of the blog.

Pictures!

Yea! We received some pictures from Sean this week. He is doing great - and is having some good experiences. My favorite was his email home requesting that I send his work boots to him - he had done a service project a few days earlier and cleaned out a black widow infested shed, and wanted boots for the next time he had such a project.... can you say EWWW.... needless to say, when I sent the boots, I did put some of the halloween spiders that I found at the dollar store inside the boots. He said it was "really funny Mom, NOT".... hee hee....This week has been a bit of a frustrating week, his comp has been having some health issues and when I last heard from him, they were waiting for his comp to go to a doc appointment to find out if he will need surgery - and if so, his comp will need to go home. Hopefully all will work out the best for Jones. And.... Sean said, he would love some mail..... so, be sure to check out his address on the right side and drop him a note sometime. I know he would really appreciate it!

Sean & part of the MTC Crew pointing out that they're going to Roseville!

Sean putting stuff in the ceiling at the MTC for future Elders.

In the ceiling.... 

Part of the crew arriving at Sacramento Airport. Mission Pres there to greet them.

New group of missionaries who all arrived in Roseville the same day. Sean said there were 17 missionaries on the plane that day. WOW.  Some are English speaking, some Hmong speaking and some Spanish speaking.

And now, some of his apartment.... I think he should really appreciate this apartment, looks way nicer than some mission apartments I've seen pictures of or heard about.

Amazed at the clean kitchen!

And an organized closet.... hmm, should I wear a white shirt today, or um, a white shirt?

so the desk, not as clean as the kitchen.

Living room...

i love that there appears to be a bowl of cereal or oatmeal... and a  Resolve bottle on the table...
.....uh....don't mix your  food and chemicals, please....

There is Sean in the mirror in his room! Hi Sean!

Sean and his comp and some other Elders. When he said that his Comp was really tall - he was not joking.  

Sean and a few Elders on transfer day... Sean stayed  in Citrus Heights. These two went to other locations.

 

Some P-Day fun with the elders in his district. 

Really not sure whats going on here. Playing with monopoly money & houses....
maybe learning good budgeting skills??? LOLOLO

10.10.2011 News From Sean....

Received my weekly email yesterday.... Elder Simmons is doing well - he did not get transferred this time around. Here are some tidbits from his week (and again, ignore the run-on sentences, lack of capital letters, sentence/thought transition):

Its been pretty great. we got a coupe of lessons planned but were gonna try to get 20 total this week. thats our goal. Our transfers finally came in today and i didnt get transfered, neither did jones. since this is my first area i will probably be here quite some time if all goes as it usually does. but every other companionship in our zone is getting transfered. so each person will get a new companion. Our apartment is pretty good i guess, actually its really nice i'd say. 2 bedroom 2 baths which is nice so we each get our own bathroom. the neighborhood is nice i guess, nice neighbors when you do see them. we live on the second floor. were also in a car right now but that always can change if jones gets transferred. i do use my bike when we go on exchanges which is quite often. it is a great bike, very relaxing. the weather has cooled down which is so nice i love it. its sooooo rainy today though, getting some good use out of my raincoat. it got here just in time. today were gonna go to walmart and get some stuff and then head to the church for the pday activity. it is transfers week however so we will probably be taking pictures and junk like that. maybe a little bit of soccer. Elder menacho wants to play that today. we havnt met with deloris yet, but we will friday. jamal still is pretty strong we just have to wait and see. i forgot my cable but next time im at the owens ill get you some pictures. 


So.... hopefully he will remember his camera cable next Monday so that he can download some pictures and send them to us!