We Made it!

Some may think that Justin and I are totally insane for driving straight through,with a cat, from Utah to Missouri.

I'm beginning to agree!

Suki was wonderful! The first two hours through Wyoming, with its lack of scenery and its rolling hills and valleys, were not enough to keep her attention off the fact that she was in a car. However, very soon after that first two hours, she calmed right down and road in her cat condo with out any problems. I was pretty worried about her because she wasn't eating or drinking anything the whole trip. Now she has made up for it.

About ten hours into the drive, and a fourth the way through Nebraska, Justin let me drive! Yes... I got to drive on unfamiliar roads, enjoying the flat scenery, and listening for Justin to silently fall into a deep sleep.

We had bought two books on CD... Hazardous Universe, and Shadows of Brierley: The Wanderer.  These books helped keep us entertained while we were driving and allowed me to slip into their worlds so that I didn't stress about the next week I had ahead of me. Now that we are in Missouri, living in Dad and Mom Furnell's house, I am slowly learning my way around Sedalia. Finding a job for me will be the hardest. I know what I want to do, but that can't happen for a while. We need the money from two incomes to make it through the next couple of months. If all else fails... I can work at Staples! Ha Ha.

Justin has a job with his dad at LTL. He is excited to relearn how to do everything, and to spend some time with his dad. I am currently working on getting a position at the Community College in the Financial Aid department. After working at LDSBC for two years in Financial Services, I hope that it will set me apart.

Suki is still calming down and getting used to our room before I will even dream about introducing her to the other animals in the house. She is still so young but has little experience with other animals. Kids are a foreign enemy to her and the stress of the new enviroment is a little difficult to grasp.

I'll update again later when we get things a little more figured out!

Love,

Justin and Mitzi

Hogle Zoo

Justin and I decided that it was our turn to visit the animals at Utah's Hogle Zoo.  Here are some of the cute animals that we got to see:



Mountain Goats



Goose

Justin (just kidding! He just wanted to be in a picture!)

Prairie Dog

Suki's Other Family (Spider Monkey)

Swan... Big Feet

Camel with Arthritis

Baby Zuri and Mom

Tarzan

My Hand wasn't Big Enough

Look how long my tongue is!

Human Simba Cub

Sea Turtle

Nap Time

Justin's Hand was Close

We had fun! Seeing animals always makes my day brighter!

Moving Day

This last week has been crazy! Tuesday we went to the zoo, post to come, and then a wonderful trip to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple with Gramma Shelley! School got out on Wednesday, Mom and Dad drove in Wednesday night, and we had gradation on Thursday. Friday night we had dinner with Justin's General' Manager, and Saturday was moving day.

Saturday morning, we drove from our Aunt and Uncle's house to the U-Haul store where we picked up our 5x8 trailer. My mom and brother, and sister met us at the apartment to finish the packing process. at first, the looming pile of boxes and furniture looked to big to fit in the trailer and truck bed, but Dad Furnell is an experienced mover and was able to fit almost everything in the trailer!

Two hours later the apartment was literally spotless and we were exhausted. A celebratory lunch at Subway ended our day of packing. The rest of the afternoon was filled with fun family time and nice relaxing showers. Mom and Dad drive out early Monday morning and we will meet up with them in a week!

I am very grateful for all of the help that we have received both physically, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually. More fun and excitement posted soon!

If Only, If Only

Oftentimes we wonder... If only we were skinnier, if only our hair looked how we wanted, if only I could express my emotions in a more positive way. My if only today refers to having everyting that I love, all the people that I love, and all the work that I love to do, at one time. And this time... If only the weekend could be longer!

Every once in a while a weekend comes around. Sometimes our weekends are worth remembering, other times, they are so short that we don't even have the time to remember it! That's how this last weekend was… Too Short.

I have tried to pack our belongings when there is time throughout the week and I am now down to only having to pack the things that we use every day. Friday night we were able to attend the mission reunion for the California Oakland mission with President and Sister Beck. We arrived around six o'clock to help set up. It was such a wonderful experience! I got to meet many of the friends Justin had while on his mission. We ate some delicious Strawberry Shortcake and even better mango salsa. The spirit was so strong and we were able to relieve some of the stress on President and Sister Beck. We got to video the stories that the returned missionaries told about their life after their missions so that the Becks could see how successful their missionaries are becoming. One RM was asked what practices from the mission field have helped him the most in his daily life. His answer proved to me that scripture study and daily prayer make life so much easier.

Saturday was busy… Justin went to work and right when we got home it was time to go to Ogden to wash our laundry and for a birthday party for Denise and Chelsea. It was fun to see everyone again! I will only get to see everyone together one more time before we move. It was hard for me when I sat down last night, after playing with Makaila and Alysa during the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference, when I sadly remembered that I will not get to see them as often as I have been. We haven't had the opportunity to visit them very often lately and I will miss not seeing them as often as I would like. Let's not forget Canyon… My baby brother, when he is born, will not get to see me very often and I struggle with that.

But I know that we are supposed to be in Missouri, so all of you that question that… Take my word for it! I have prayed and asked and weighed the options. I know that there is something in Missouri that the Lord knows will strengthen us and I know that if I trust in him, everything will be alright!

There is a lot of faith required for the next couple of months that we have ahead of us, but I look forward to it only bringing us together and making our relationship stronger.

 Love,
Justin & Mitzi