MOM.... How Old Is Too Old?

I need to start out by giving you some history. When Jenna was born, Jared's nose was a little bit bent out of shape. He was 4 years old at the time and didn't want that new baby sister taking his place. He was very clingy to me and one day... He said.. "Mommy? How old is too old to sit on your lap? Is 5 too old?" So, of course, I scooped him up and put him on my lap and gave him the biggest hug he's ever had. I told him he would never be too old to do that. He asked the same question at 8, and then at 10, with the same reaction from me, but I haven't heard anything like that since. Well, a few weeks before he was going to leave on his mission, I was sitting in the living room trying to unwind with some peace and quiet. He came in and asked me what was wrong. I told him nothing, and he got this huge smile on his face. He said... "Mom... how old is too old to sit on your lap? Is 19 too old?" Well, you know that the tears streamed down my face as this HUGE young man sat down on my lap and let his mommy hug him and remember him being so little. Jenna, being such the smart gal that she is, grabbed my camera and took these pictures so that we will have this for all posterity. I'm not sure that my Jared would want everyone to see these photos, but this tells what kind of young man I've been privileged to raise and call my son. I love you so much Jared.

OUR 1ST LETTER !!!

We received our first letter from Jared. I think I've read it 50 times ! It was good to hear from him:

Dear Family
Today was really long. I still can't believe or get used to the fact that I am actually on my mission! The MTC is really cool. The spirit here is so strong. My first companion, well... other than Dad, is Elder Spicer. He is from Pocatello, Idaho and he is a year older than me. He's going to Belgium, so he won't exactly be in my same mission, but in my same area.

My other roommates are pretty cool too. Elder Christiansen is from Centerville, Ut and Elder Jolley is from Fresno, Ca. I told him that's where you grew up Mom ! The meetings here are pretty long. Tomorrow ( Thursday, Jan 29th) we will be in class for 14 hours ! Our P-day is normally on Fridays, but this week, it will be on Saturday.

We have to prepare a 3 to 5 minute talk for next Sunday ( Feb 8th ) and we have to prepare it in French ! I hope I can do that. I just wanted to let you know that I am okay. Things here are so great ! I 'll write again soon. I love you all and I miss you all!

Love
Jared
( Elder Walch ) Isn't that cool???

So there you have it. His first official correspondence as a full time missionary. I've discovered a website that you can write to him in the MTC for free. They will print out and deliver your letter while he is in the mission home. It is dearelder.com. I know lots of people knew about this but this is my very first time of writing a missionary ! You will need to know a couple of things. His name, of course, and then his MTC mailbox is #104 and his mission code is SWI-GEN and he will be leaving the MTC on March 30th. Other than that, you can just log on and create a free acct and write him for no cost at all to you. It's really pretty handy. Sister Jones in our ward said that her son told her that the saddest thing for a missionary is an empty mailbox. So write to him. He'd love it !

Elder Jared Walch

MTC Mailbox #104

SWI-GEN 0330

2005 N 900 East

Provo, UT 84604-1793

MTC ! The Big Day ! January 28th

Jared Getting Ready with All of His Suitcases !

Jared and Jenna right before we left for the MTC!

Here is Jared pulling his 'train' of luggage as they called it to his spot. There were 311 other missionaries that day, so imagine 3 suitcases each x 311 missionaries! That's a whole lot of luggage ! And of course, most of them black ! Gary put tape around the handles so that he would recognize which ones were his.

So when you go to the MTC, the missionaries go thru one door and the families and friends go thru another door. This is him right before he entered inside the building. Can't tell that he is happy or anything, huh?

When they first walked into the MTC, this cute little sister gave them their 'lifeline' as she put it along with their tag. The card was to use for laundry and other expenses at the MTC. It even works on the candy machine ! I think I need one of those !

When he got his tag, he came straight to me and asked me to put it on him. I totally lost it at that point. I started shaking and my whole body kind of went into convulsions. I couldn't calm myself down. He just hugged me and said, "Mom, it will be fine. I love you. Put on my tag." I did just as he asked... well, except for the calming down part ! ( The little orange dot is on there so that they can identify themselves as newbies and if lost, and I quote.... "The other missionaries can tell them where to go ! ")

So this was our last photo taken before we had to shut off our camera. Inside is dedicated like a chapel and there are not any photos allowed. A kind sister who was waiting for her grandson took this shot. Notice the red eyes and swollen faces of Mom and Dad, but the missionary is fine !

So, I guess, now comes the 'endure to the end' part of this journey. I will keep this site updated more often. Sorry, but it's taken me this long to be able to actually look at these photos without crying my eyes out. Thanks so much for all of the support that you've been to me. I so appreciate all of the kind words and hugs and prayers on our behalf. I've been counting down by fast Sundays, and since we just had one yesterday... I only have 23 more to go ! YIPEE !!!! Now... where are those darned Kleenex !

Packing, Packing and More Packing

So we are down to the wire ladies and gentlemen... He leaves in exactly 47 hours... at least that's what he told me ! He has the time figured out in hours that he will be gone. I almost had a heart attach because it was something like 17,000 something hours. YIKES ! I like 24 Fast Sundays better... And this Sunday, Feb 1, I get to mark off my first one !! We are trying to get everything for him for 2 years into 2 suitcases and one carry on besides his missionary bag... Oh, what did he call it? Oh yes... His man purse ! Made me laugh. We are going to be finishing this up tonight and we will get his taxes done. Tomorrow night he gets set apart, with Gary as his first companion. He said that he couldn't have a better companion than his Dad. Made Gary pretty weepy ! Anyway, we are on the last leg of this journey. He's been waiting sooo long and we are happy ( we are??? ") .... ) that he is leaving and getting to start his next adventure. Offer me a tissue if you see me... I'm sure I'll need it !

10 days and counting... Plus 10!

Well, it's 10 days and counting until Jared's farewell, Sunday the 18th. He will be speaking at 2:50 pm in the Grantsville 8th ward. I have an announcement that I will post but I don't have the ability to do so at work without my disk. I will get that done. And then 10 days after that, he enters the MTC. I can't believe that it has come so soon, but to Jared, it seems like it's been forever. He was a little sad thinking that he could have had almost 4 months done on his mission by now. But he's very excited none the less. We would love to have any of you join us if you haven't gotten an announcement, or if you have been missed by my oversight. I've cancelled all of my extra curricular activities until after he leaves. I can only concentrate on one thing at a time. More to follow soon.

Ho Ho Ho... .Happy Helpers !

So, as most of you know, my FAVORITE time of the year is now. However, I have been in a slump or something because I haven't been happy about any of this. I'd been wishing that it was all ready over! I know that this will be my last Christmas wtih Jared for a couple of years and that has made me really sad. As the old addage goes, Tis better to give than to receive. So we put that into action. Our neighborhood has sponsored 3 families in our community to help out with Christmas, and our family was priviledged to get to fill stockings for 8 children. We had been buying necessities, toys, treats and little surprises for them. Last night, I spent 2 hours wrapping and filling the stockings. Gary sat across from me on the couch ( I was curled up by my favorite place.... the fireplace on the floor !! ) and as he watched me, he said... 'Thank you for doing this. It's such a good thing that you are doing. Your Mom and Dad would be proud of you!".... well, you know that the tears just streamed down my face as I expressed what helping out means to me. I can't stand to think of a child on Christmas morning being disappointed. It breaks my heart. We have this tradition each year since my kids were little and we always try to help out where we can and give back some of the blessings that have been given to us. I wanted to thank my friend Cherri at work who also helped me out ... she makes a great elf !!! I want you to know that this morning, I have the best Christmas spirit around and am so excited for the holidays. I'm excited to get to spend time with the loves of my life ~ my family, my Yaya's, my friends and those that I am priviledged to see each day. Merry Christmas to all of you !

Thanksgiving !

So, I know that it's been a little while since I've made a post. We've been getting our house ready for the holidays / Jared's farewell. We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with my family as well as Christina and her mom, and Josh's gal pal, Jessica came as well. It was so nice to have everyone together. I wanted to take this opportunity to list some things that I am grateful for. Being married to my best friend... and how hard he works for our family.
Having 4 wonderful kids that I love with all of my heart.
Being a member of the Church with all of the blessings that that entales.
Having friends know when you need a hug. And be willing to just listen.
My Yaya's that are my sisters in my heart.... who needs blood????
Having wonderful jobs that enable us to take care of our family.
Being able to send Jared to Switzerland for 2 years... tears and all ~
Watching home movies and missing those tiny babies to hold in my arms.
Knowing that we are no farther away from our families than just a phone call.
This wonderful time of the year.
Well, those are a few things that I am totally grateful for... the list goes on and on. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and my love goes out to all of you.