Emails from Elder Johnson #2

Group Email:

My First Week-ish

These first few days have been absolutely amazing! Saying goodbye to the people I love most in this world is hard. Harder then I could have ever imagined but I know that in order to grow and become the man I am to become and the missionary Jesus Christ wants me to be I have to be uncomfortable because that is where we grow. When things are difficult and you want to turn back but you don't you stick to it because you know what it's what you're suppose to do. So I take each step knowing that this is right! Anyway...Minnesota is flat! So dang flat i thought it was North Dakota when I was flying over it! Hahaha but! I digress. It won't ever been Washington, North Idaho or those beautiful Utah mountains so I have to move forward. Haha! But it is hot and humid so I'm a happy camper. 

I landed in Minneapolis got scooped up by my trainers at the airport and went right to work all in the matter of 30 minutes. My trainers are Elder Moses from New Mexico, he's been out for 13 months. He's an absolute party and my other trainer is Elder Taylor from Syracuse, Utah who was originally called to Bolivia/Colombia. He served for 9 months, came home for 2 months, and then got reassigned here 6 weeks before I came. They are the coolest guys and I have already learned so much from them. I live in Oakdale, Minnesota currently. Our area is the only area in the entire mission that has a temple! Too bad I can't go in it. So close and yet so far. I've already met some amazing people and have been apart of some cool lessons as well. 

We're allowed to teach people as long as it's outside or we do it via zoom, Facebook video call, or just a normal phone call. We try to get out as much as possible which is nice. Exercise is keeping us sane😂 the first lesson I taught was about how we have to "look at others not as who they are but rather as who they could become" from a conference talk by President Monson. Just reminding us that we need to embody the love of Christ as much as we can and to be quick to love and slow to judge. I'd say it went pretty swell but I'm still learning and boy do I have a lot to learn! To wrap this up I absolutely love it, I'm having a blast, and I miss you all so dang much!

Talk to ya next week!

Peace, Elder Johnson

Family Email: 

What's up Fam!

Heyo! Man I love you guys so much! I miss you all a freaking ton but lil man kam is hangin in there. So far Minnesota is treating me well! My companions are cool, the weather is nice, lots of mosquitoes tho. But I get to hang around the temple all day which eerily looks exactly like the Spokane temple...hmmm interesting.

Also I got to go back to church for the first time since March. And of course following new missionary standards they had me say the opening prayer for both sessions of sacrament meeting and pass the sacrament. Corona church is wild tbh. The ward is cut in half the meeting is 30 minutes long, 2 speakers and then it's over. The Missionaries (us) sanitize everything and then do it all over again! Passing the sacrament is weird too. For bread we all wear gloves and we go down every other row cause it's taped off cause of distancing and we place the piece of bread in each hand and then with the water they can grab it but they hold on to the cup and dispose of it later. And on the 25th masks became mandatory if you're inside some where so we are all wearing masks. Woot woot. But it felt good to be back.

I haven't been into the city cause that's not our area and we have a mileage limit but when I got picked up we drove by the Vikings stadium and the training facility which was pretty cool to see. Every Friday we meet up with the Spanish elders and have Taco Bell together so that's epic! Gotta get those beefy 5-layers in me somehow. But I got to try a new fast food place called Canes! It's a chicken fingers place. It's got like 4 things on the menu but the line for the drive thru is soooooo longgggggg. It's insane. But it's like a missionary go to for the peeps here so they told me I had to try it and it was pretty good I'm not gonna lie. 

Oakdale is pretty cool but you thought Spokane had bad road construction. Woooooo Minnesota road construction sucks so bad. My companion Elder Moses was telling me that Minnesota has 2 seasons: winter and road construction. He was definitely right. It's horribly confusing. Anyway the members are super cool. The bishop is nice and kinda trying out the hipster haircut but he's like 50? Idk he's interesting.  We've taught some recent converts and taught/met some referrals which is exciting. The work is good but the work is slow. Or I guess average? Idk it's hard to tell what is and what isn't but we are fairly busy so that's good. 

I miss you all so much, it sounds like you guys had fun at the lake which makes me happy. I hope all is well, thanks for getting me that sign I appreciate it. I love you all. I'll call ya sometime tonight so just lemme know on Facebook messenger what time you will all be home! 

I love you!

-Elder Johnson

COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 131-135

Day 131: 7-22-20 (Wednesday)

Kam left for Minnesota today. Cue all the crying... IT WAS HARD! So hard. Harder than I even imagined it would be. We had a good morning as a family although he was up, dressed, and ready to go pretty early. He had his suitcases by the door when I got up. He was nervous and excited. It was a flood of emotions for all of us.

Jordin, Ramon, and family came by the house early to say goodbye.

Saying goodbye to Miss Bevs. :(
Not sure what she is going to do without her boy for two years!

By the time Jordin and Ramon left we had to jump in the car and head for the airport. We got there much too quickly! We had arranged to have a parking lot meet up and send off. Reilly and Hunter were there when we pulled in and Abbey and her parents too. Meki and the kids arrived soon after we got there. We tried to limit the people seeing him off. COVID. These are the people that we have been around during quarantine and these are the people that he is closest to minus his good friends that he said goodbye to yesterday.

Ailey made his sign.

Abbey and her parents. They are such great people. They aren't members...aren't even religious... and they have been so supportive and loving to Kam. They just adore him and have loved him as much as we love and adore Abbey! It's so nice when that happens!

We are going to miss Abbey too!

All too soon it was time to go into the airport. We said goodbye to Abbey and her parents. On the way to park we saw that Meki had a flat tire. We had already pulled out of the parking lot so she was on the side of the road heading into the airport terminal lanes. Horrible timing and horrible location. Poor Meki. She so wanted to see Kam off but couldn't leave the truck. Hunter stayed with her and started helping her change the tire. We grabbed Kirin and Kaiya and took them with us and headed into the airport.

The airport wasn't allowing big groups to see people off but our little group made the cut and we were able to go in and be there while he checked his bags and then headed to security.

It was nice that Kaiya and Kirin got to be there too.

We took some measurements so that we could see how much everyone will have grown by the time Kam gets back.

We really didn't have much time...which was probably a good thing...before Kam had to get going.

And then the goodbyes... BRUTAL! BRUTAL! BRUTAL!

Man do we ever love this kid! I had to be pried off like a barnacle!

And just like that Kameron walked out of childhood and into adulthood. My heart was bursting with pride and joy over the young man that he has become and breaking at the same time.

We love you Elder Johnson!!

Thank goodness Meki was still stranded on the side of the road because walking out of that airport was one of the hardest things that I have ever done. It was good that we had to go rescue her!! My friend Amber described it perfectly... Hardest Best Day Ever.

By the time we got back to Meki... her spare still wasn't on and we had the airport security, local police, and Hunter working on it. Tyler joined in on the fun. They finally got the tire off (it didn't want to budge) and the spare on and then they were ready to roll. Ailey and Bryn jumped in with them and Meki took them back to the lake. Best sister ever! We were all a blubbering mess so Tyler, Hunter, Reilly, and I drove to the nearest DQ to eat our feelings. Sometimes you need ice cream at 11 am. (Not our first time.) After that Reilly and Hunter headed back to work and Tyler and I headed home.

Kirk and Meki invited some friends and some of Meki's family to spend the week out at the lake with them. I knew that I wouldn't be up for socializing on the day of Kam's departure and I was right. It was good that Tyler and I had some alone time. We had the rest of the day to process and by process I mean that I sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. Then I would take a break for a few hours and then sob again. Kids leaving the nest is HARD! Have I mentioned that?

We finished packing up and cleaning (grrrr!!) Kam's room. We moved Tyler's "home office" into it. That was a project that took us all day! How is that boy such a slob?! A couple of hours later we got a text and picture from Kam's mission president and his wife letting us know that Kam had arrived safely in Minneapolis.

President and Sister Richardson

Later Kam FB messaged us too. It was a relief to actually hear from HIM. I don't love having to go through a third party to get information about my kid. This mission is going to be a learning experience for all of us.

Later tonight night we had another good distraction. My brother flew in from SLC at 10 pm. Tyler and I picked him up at the airport and drove him out to the lake. It was so good to see him and to laugh and talk with him! He is such a character so I couldn't be too teary and morose. I think Tyler was thrilled to have someone else around. A weeping and wailing wife isn't super fun although he was teary-eyed quite a bit today too. I am so grateful for all of the friends and family who checked in on us today. It helped and we felt super loved and supported. We hung out at the lake for a bit and then headed back home. Ailey was spending the week out there with Kaiya.

Day 132: 7-23-20 (Thursday)

I woke up at 4:30 am this morning. I realized that it was 6:30 am in Minneapolis and that Kam would just be getting up and starting his first official day in MN. I said a prayer for him. Tyler said that he did the same thing this morning. Today was a pretty quiet day. One of our aunts and three of our uncles were out at the lake going through some old garages. Ugh. Annoying. I was on call to help Kirk if needed. Kirk is actually the best one to deal with them. He can be firm and he doesn't get easily triggered by them. I did get a few phone calls about some of their antics and I was especially grateful that he was dealing with them and that I was not. What is it with greed and entitlement when someone dies?

Since this may be Kirk and Meki's last summer at the lake they invited up a bunch of friends and family members on Meki's side. I am glad that they are getting an opportunity to enjoy the place. Lately every visit has been a point of contention and problems with our siblings. There were quite a few people out at the lake with Kirk's guests and then the aunts and uncles. It seemed wise to stay away for COVID reasons. Too many people from too many places.

I talked to Abbey today. It's her birthday. She is coming to water all of my flowers and to take care of things at the house while we are out at the lake next week. I cried about missing Abbey. (So emotional these days.) She is awesome and I will miss having her around.

Reilly checked in multiple times today to see how I was doing. No uncontrollable sobbing. So that's progress. LOL. I REALLY appreciate all of our sweet friends and family who have checked in on us and me in particular. Not that Tyler wasn't weepy yesterday too. He misses his buddy and sidekick. Now it's just a house full of girls! I didn't realize how hard it would be to send a missionary out. I mean I understood that you would miss them but it's HARD. I will definitely been checking in on my friends when their kids head out for missions. It is similar to when Reilly left for school in Utah but as hard as that was... and it was hard... I could text, track, and call her anytime I wanted. This is worse. My hat is off to those parents who only got phone calls twice a year! Those are some strong mamas.

Pictures from Ailey. She and Kaiya are having a great time togther!! I love that they are getting some fun cousin time:

We purchased new big tent and Tyler and Bryn are going to sleep out in the yard tonight. What is the allure? I don't get it. LOL. I watched The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and coped.

Day 133: 7-24-20 (Friday)

The aunts and uncles are back out at the lake and they are an absolute nightmare! Poor Kirk! Tyler and I ended up driving out there. I was in an absolute FURY!! This sounds terrible but I am so sick of extended family. Everyone is greedy, selfish, and money-crazed. Why does everyone feel that they are owed something? It made me physically sick. Well... God had other plans rather than the wrath of Kristin coming down HARD on them. Unfortunately! We encountered road block after road block on our drive out to the lake. Unexpected construction, car accidents, detours... by the time I arrived they were gone. Probably for the best as there is no reasoning with any of them. It just would've been a shouting match. Kirk took the brunt of so much anger and animosity from them. I felt so bad for him.

Kirk and Meki and friends were awesome and we stayed for quite awhile (outside and social distancing) and had a really good visit with everyone. Good grief... what a day! It was emotionally exhausting on top of emotional exhaustion on top of more emotional exhaustion. But it was delightful that the aunts and uncles were gone and not coming back!

Photo Courtesy of Shey

Bryn joined Ailey and stayed out at the lake too. She had a blast with all of the family friends and cousins! Reilly and Hunter came out for a bit as well. Ailey and Kaiya pulled an all-nighter. They love doing this every time they are together! LOL.

Day 134: 7-25-20 (Saturday)

Traditions

Today more than made up for all of yesterday and the day before. We had SUCH a fun day!! Actually an incredibly tremendous and wonderful day! Tyler and I brought the boat out and we spent all day at the lake. It was the best medicine. Awesome people, great food, ice cream, swimming, boating, wakeboarding, tubing, and enjoying every minute. At one point Tyler and I had gone into the house and were grabbing something to eat. Everyone was on the dock playing and jumping off and having fun and we both could've sworn that we heard my mom laughing. I heard it and looked at Tyler and saw his face and his eyes filling with tears and I knew that he heard it too. We just stood there and experienced that precious moment together. I am so grateful for it.

Picture courtesy of Shai.

Tyler and I spent most of the day in the boat dragging kids around the lake in the tube and we loved every minute. This is exactly what the boat and lake are for! When we weren't in the boat we were having great conversations with all of those who were there. Good deep soul-filling conversations. It filled my well!

We had such a great time and really enjoyed our visit with everyone! It was a great group of beautiful people on a beautiful night in a beautiful place. I don't take things like that for granted anymore.

Day 135: 7-26-20 (Sunday)

Kirk, Meki and family left today. I hate saying goodbye to them! Our families cherish our time together.

Our week at the lake officially started. It was good to have a decompression day. So much had been going on the week before. So much stress. It was nice to relax on the dock, lay in the sun, swim, and read a book. The weather was beautiful. We got take out for dinner and did a sunset boat cruise (we love doing that!), and chilled. It was just what we needed.

Current Favorite Memes #7

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COVID-19 Quarantine: Days 126-130

Day 126: 7-17-20 (Friday and MTC Day #17)

Today was a full work day...business and home. It was productive and awesome. We are trying to get a bunch of stuff done before family comes to town, we go to the lake, and Kam heads to Minnesota. We were getting all of his last minute things done today and we are still harassing him to finish packing up his room. Strangely this isn't a huge priority of his. Weird.

Tyler went to the tire store and bought three new tires for the boat trailer. Two for the trailer and a spare. Yep...we don't want to be in yesterday's predicament ever again.

As a pick-me-up and treat for everyone working so hard; Ailey made us the most delicious double chocolate layer cake. Not only is it pretty but it tasted even better! That girl is a superb baker!

Tyler and I had a rather blah date night...neither of us were feeling particularly date-y. So we just went and washed three cars and then got two chicken breasts from the grocery store for dinner. Woohoo. Exciting.

Day 127: 7-18-20 (Saturday and MTC Day #18)

Today is Kam's P-Day and we demanded that he FINALLY finish packing up his room. Everything that is left in there he says he is taking to Minnesota. Yeah right. He can only take two 50 lb suitcases. Good luck kid!

Reilly had to go into the urgent care this morning. She had an "excruciating" cramp in her calf in the middle of the night. She called me this morning and said that it was still hurting a lot. In our family and especially after losing my mom to those very same symptoms we don't mess around. The urgent care did an ultrasound and she was fine. Thank goodness. She needs to up her water intake, potassium levels, and exercise more.

Meki and kids and her friend Julie leave tomorrow to head to the lake for their week! Kirk will arrive on Wednesday. We won't see them until the airport when we drop Kam off. We've got to try to keep this missionary healthy and COVID free!!

Kam wrote his first missionary email. It was pretty funny and truthful. A greetings from my parents basement post! LOL. I am going to post his group emails and pictures on my blog then I can print off those posts and make him a book about his mission.

We had a very fun family dinner. Kam made us his famous fettuccine alfredo! He makes the very best that I have ever had! It is DIVINE! Reilly and Hunter came over for dinner and we all hung out on the deck until late. These family dinners are precious. Kam leaving town is getting real. Both Bryn and Tyler now have drones which they were night flying and taking pictures of us on the deck. It's fun for Tyler and Brynnie to have a little hobby that they share.

Day 128: 7-19-20 (Sunday and MTC Day #20)

Today was our last day of home church with Kameron before he leaves on his mission. It was extra special and emotional. I love to hear Tyler and Kam bless and serve the Sacrament. I am going to miss that. Also Kam adds such great insight to our family church discussions. That will also be missed. Home Church has actually been a sweet experience the past 4 months.

Kameron was busy yesterday packing so we did our family bike ride on the Trail of the Couer d' Alenes today. I am glad that he was able to go with us. I am going to miss that kid more than I have words to say. It was a super hot ride. It was in the 90s but still fun despite me riding with a lump in my throat and fighting back tears. Kids growing up is HARD... good but hard.

We had a bittersweet Sunday dinner. Kam requested Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner and raspberry jello pretzel salad for dessert. We are enjoying every single minute with this boy. Meki, Julie, and the kids made it to the lake safely.

Day 129: 7-20-20 (Monday and MTC Day #21)

Tyler and I have been teary on and off all day today thinking about Kameron leaving on Wednesday. These last three weeks have flown!
It is also SO HOT! Our walk was brutal...we tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. Nothing much to report.

Day 130: 7-21-20 (Tuesday and MTC Day #22)

Today Kam finished with his MTC online training. It went by so fast!  The feeling that we have had in our home has been amazing and the change in Kameron has been neat to witness. It has been such an incredible experience for all of us.

Nick left for his mission. Kameron and Caden were able to go over to Nick's house and see him off and have it be a send off for Kam too. I am glad that they were all able to get together.

Ailey and Bryn are heading out to the lake with Meki and Kaiya after we drop Kameron off at the airport tomorrow. Bryn needed new flip flops and Ailey needed another pair of shorts so we went to Old Navy for the first time since March. One of the perks of quarantine is that the money we have all spent on clothes is SIGNIFICANTLY less!

We had another awesome family dinner for Kam's last night at home. He requested his favorite meal as his send off. Street Tacos. Reilly and Hunter came over and we had a great time! I am glad it was a night of laughter and only a few tears. We did discover at the last minute that Kameron had never been handed his temple recommend after being set apart as a missionary. We sent out an SOS to the stake presidency and President Jensen ran it over while we were having dinner.

Reilly's subscription box came and so we got to play one more rousing game of Johnson Tries! The country this month was Thailand. This was perfect. Most things were really good...several were not!

We took a bunch of family pictures...

None of us wanted the night to end. We had family prayer all together for the last time for awhile and then later that night Tyler and I both went downstairs to tell Kam goodnight. Two years is sounding REALLY LONG!! :(