Utah! February 5-11, 2015

We walked in the door from getting back from San Antonio and got a phone call that Paul was in the hospital in Salt Lake.  We were so sad to learn that he had been diagnosed with cancer and that most likely it had originated in his kidneys.  He had some scans done and they showed that it had gone to several different parts of his body including a couple of serious tumors in his brain.  We were so sad and wanted to get over there to see him as quickly as possible.  

He is an incredible person and such a great example of faith and courage.  He has had to be patient and long suffering in just waiting for test results and to find out what the treatment plan would be.  He has borne this trial so remarkably well so far.  Much better than I ever could.  He has a positive attitude and is brightening our spirits all the time just by being around him or talking to him.  

Here he is with his sweet wife, Joni, just before he went in for brain surgery.

He did great and came through the surgery like a champ.  As of today, March 17, he is getting radiation on his brain for 10 days and then will meet with the kidney cancer doctor to schedule the next steps of kidney surgery and chemo.  He is a fighter and God willing will beat this!  We Love You, Paul, Joni, Ellie and Reese!

We had planned on having Hannah home with us for another week or so, but in light of the news about Paul, we decided we better get Hannah packed up and go.  She would be staying there in Provo so we had to take all of her stuff along with her.  I have to admit, I have been a big baby about letting her go again so soon after coming home from her mission.  I missed her so much and was looking forward to having her with us for a little while.  Oh well, the only thing in life that's constant is CHANGE!

We have to be flexible and adapt to change or else our lives will be completely miserable.  She's a delightful young lady and she is doing great in Utah.  It was the best decision for her and I have adapted as well. We were able to find her a great apartment in the same complex that Eric lives in, Glenwood.  She has found jobs at Costa Vida and Roxberry and is working before starting classes at BYU in April.

Here are some highlights of our trip over to Utah in February:

 We love JDawgs!  We met Eric and Sister Rachel Roy (one of our Boston missionaries who we love) there for lunch.

Meet the Mormons came out while Hannah was in Brazil so she didn't get to see it so we took the time to go to that and visit Temple Square.

 It was great being with Paul and Joni and their family.  They had other visitors as well so it was fun catching up a bit with Blythe and Glen.  We stayed with Joel and Erin while we were there and that was a treat.

 We ate delicious food as always with lots of fun people like these guys!

 It was fun helping Sophie make her Valentine mailbox for pre-school.

 We got to take Eric and Hannah to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcast on Sunday morning.

 We took a fun, brisk walk around Daybreak where Tyler and Jaimee are living.

 You never know who you are going to see at the BYU bookstore!  We ran into Rebecca Showers while we were shopping there for a few things.  She's from our ward in Longmont.

 We attended the Provo Temple one morning.  We got Hannah all settled into her apartment.  She has five nice roommates and it seems like it's going to be a good place for her.

 We were able to get tickets to Eric's choir concert.  He made it into the BYU Men's Chorus.  They are awesome and he loves having this experience.  Before the concert we met Tyler and Jaimee and one of Hannah's favorite missionary companions, Emily Sciammeralla for dinner at the Pizza Factory in Provo.  She loved her mission so much and it was fun to see her with her companion!  The concert was really great!  It was a fun night.

 We had a good trip and accomplished a lot.  We would have liked to have had more time with Paul, but there are so many that want to help that we have to share and take turns.

We feel really good about all that we got done for/with Hannah and felt good about leaving her there.  Sad, but good!!  Bittersweet for sure!

 She's clearly doing fine!  Go Hannah!  Go BYU!!