Beehive Clothing Outting

Headed over to Deseret Book/Beehive Clothing after work today with Anthony in tow.  Tomorrow we head to the Bountiful Temple for his first time.

Today we bought about 3 pair of garments, his white pants, shirt, and tie.  They are currently in the washer so that he is not wrinkled and stiff tomorrow night ;).  We bought enough garments to last until Monday and that way he can decide if he likes the fabric or not before we stock up.  Three different sales receipts - 2 from Beehive Clothing, 1 from Deseret Book.  Some of our purchases were 50% off - booyah!  Gotta love hitting that anywhere.

Max  (leaving in March to Alaska) came home from BYU tonight.  Old times at my house tonight as all but one of the Moviegeeks sit in my living room playing Halo 4 together.  We even made Max bless the food. Lol.  We told them it would be weird in about 5 weeks when NONE of them are in our house anymore - simply because Anthony is gone and they won't be coming over.  They laughed and commented that they were sure they could just come walk in to our on occasion if we really wanted.

They think vloggin' time should now be Ben vlogging their mission letters lol.  It could work I guess.  But never fear, they will be listed here. =]

Another Beautiful Offer

As the week progressed last week we felt the spirit and counted our blessings again.  There are people in your life that you expect to help and than those that suddenly step up and stop you cold.

The kids and I were shopping for cold medicine before work last Friday and I ran into an older friend from my ward.  I haven't seen her in probably almost a year - her husband is ailing and unfortunately been placed into a care center.  Her husband is always one who would call me after I gave a talk or lesson he listened in on, to tell me how wonderful he thought it was, to praise my courage and thank me for allowing him to feel the spirit.  We have known this couple for 14 yrs now, they are a precious acquaintance to us.  When I stepped over to give her a hug and say hello she floored me by offering help to get Anthony prepared for his mission.  What a generous offer and out of pride I would deny it, yet she took my hand, looked into my eyes and told me, "We have nothing else we can do in the church anymore, please let us do this.".  What can you say to that, especially when it is needed and very much appreciated.

Anthony had his final interview to gain his Temple Recommend on Sunday, we are going shopping for new underwear =] on Thursday after work (it's payroll week for me) and Saturday evening, the 15th, Dean, myself, Anthony, his friend Nic, and those of my brothers and sisters that can make it, will attend the Bountiful Temple.  I'd always heard my parents talk about being in the temple with their children, what a wonderful, joyous feeling it is.  I get to experience that on Saturday - I think I'll need to carry a box of tissues with me.  I was joking with him a couple of weeks ago saying "When you stop believing in Santa, you get Underwear!".  He just looked at me and said, "Okay, as long as their garments!".  (Garments=our underwear)  Brat child.

Okay, it's coming quickly - Christmas is coming sooner and I think I will be doing some major running around in January.  We've started checking off his "lists" in his missionary handbook, making sure we have things or are doing things.  Sent off his driving record to the mission home in New York, he's logged onto the missionary portal on the church site and has 49% of his assigned tasks there completed. :)

This week the Temple, next week a Piano Guys Christmas Concert (thanks to Uncle Lyman), than Christmas, than New Years - than only freaking 22 days!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

*breathe*  OH - and he's decided to take his best friend to her last Christmas Dance, since she says she never gets invited.  He is setting things up to ask her tomorrow as I type. =]

Bountiful Temple

Tonight Anthony had an appointment with Bishop Pack for his living endowments and temple recommend.  He meets with Stake President Short on Sunday.  We've made an appointment at the Bountiful Temple for Saturday, December 15th at 7pm.  Found out tonight that his friend Nic, who enters the MTC in March, took his endowments out today and will be joining us at the temple for Anthony on the 15th! Things are starting to move forward rapidly.

We received a contribution to Anthony's mission prep yesterday.  Out of the blue, very touching, and very humbling.  That will be the teaching part of this mission for this mom & dad.  I'm sure it is a lesson most need to learn and a struggle with - even accepting meals when sick or afflicted.  However, I know that it is the only way to get him where he needs to be and that what we receive will be what is needed.  I suppose you could call it faith, right now I simply call it peace.

Stringing up the lights

We figure Anthony is like his dad, not just in looks, which means once he leaves on his mission, he's left home for good.  Therefore we started hanging Christmas lights, a week late but nonetheless.  Yes, Dean captured my best side here =P.  We aren't done yet and we told Anthony he could do whatever he wants...erm, yeah.  It'll be interesting and I will post a picture when we are done.  Dean already thinks he wants it down...oh Bah Humbug. =P

Last night we went through the items needing to be done immediately.  Went onto DMV.Utah.Org and printed off Anthony's driving record to send to the mission president.  It has to be there before he is and as of right now, he should be in New York by Valentine's Day.  *breathe*  It's still a little unreal to me.  I know it will hit me like a sledgehammer as I finalize packing with him and as I say my goodbye's the night before.  At the Missionary Training Center you are no longer allowed to say goodbye at the door.  You unload them and their luggage and they are taken away.  No hugs, long farewells, no pictures.  Make it a short goodbye - and only one vehicle is allowed into the parking lot.

I was going to post a list of things (little things) he needs in case anyone was looking for Christmas present idea's.  I'm not sure now, I'm not quite sure how to go about this.  I've never really had to ask for assistance for something this big before.  Granted, I've asked my mom for car loan money that I than paid back to her but than she is no longer around.  We've asked Dean's parents a few times for help with monthly bills but wow..this is going to be beyond humbling.  I think maybe this is part of Dean's acceptance problem.  He mentioned he was still having a few problems, wasn't quite ready for Anthony to be leaving.  Like they've said, a mission affects everyone in the family in different ways but it is humbling for all.

Moviegeek Pro Ninjanaries

Here they are... Anthony's best friends, the Movie Geeks.  They have been making movies together - at least Dan and Anthony have since the 7th grade when they started making Lego movies!  If you want to review and see how much better they have gotten in the past 6 years, they are all on Anthony's Youtube Channel DarthZenger.  Yes, they have all received their mission calls now and Dan is actually already in the mission field!  Back left to right...Nicolas Meldrum called to serve in England Leeds Mission reporting to the England MTC in March 2013, Maxwell Clemens called to serve in the Alaska Anchorage Mission reporting to the Provo UT MTC in March 2013.  Dan is next to Anthony and currently serving in the Washington DC South Mission.  These are my boys - they've been in my house for 5 1/2 yrs, eating my food, pulling pranks, going out to dinner and other activities with us.  It struck my yesterday - WOW, my food bill might go down!  Hallejulah!  =] 

Mission Call Has Arrived!!!!!

During General Conference in October, President Monson declared that the new age for eligible missionaries was to be 18.  Anthony, having been searching for a job since May, having, landed a job that was only for 4 wks, suddenly understood.  He knew he wasn't to be in college yet, with good references, some job experience, and being an Eagle Scout, he still could not land a full time job either.  What was he to do?

At this announcement, everyone thought of Anthony!  We started receiving texts and phone calls regarding Anthony and how they immediately thought of him.  He now had a mission and a purpose.  He was already taking some Institute classes up at Weber with his buddies, so we focused on medical.  His physical was a breeze - he's a healthy strong horse.  We set up getting his wisdom teeth out - came out nice and clean and were HUGE.  Dr Zeh let him keep them lol.  His wisdom teeth came out on Halloween and than we tackled the finances.  He submitted his papers to the Bishop Nov 14th - met with the Stake President and watched him push submit on Sunday Nov 18th.   President Checketts told Anthony to text him every Friday starting the 25th - he did but got no reply.  I always have to laugh at my impatient son that was so sad when he wasn't able to get back to him right way.  This morning Nov 28th, at 9:30 am he received a text from President Checketts stating that he thought his papers would arrive TODAY and to let him know where he is going. 

I received a very excited text at 2:59 pm (when he got back from filming his little sister in her school assembly) stating:  "It came!!!! 6 is when people shall come forth unto me to see where I goeth."  =D  One of his past Young Men Leaders came over, his cousin Terry, his best friend Abby, his Uncle Darren, and his cousin Cherisa who lives with us, of course.  Nic and Brandt were late so they got afterglow but it was all good.  We counted down to 6pm on the dot and than made him rip it open.  Elder Anthony Dean Zenger you have been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the New York, Utica mission!  You will report to the MTC on Wed January 23rd.

23rd!?!?!  That's less than 2 months away!  I'm not concerned about getting things ready for him, I have peace in that area.  I am simply already missing my baby.  This is right, this is where he is to be and when.  I simply rely on him and it's not apron strings I have to cut, those have been - its heart strings.  He's my friend, my buddy, my beat up doll =].

So here we begin!..... This is the first official blog for Elder Anthony Zenger of the New York, Utica Mission!

Wahoo!