We have so much to be thankful for....
At the end of October, we had a close call with my Mom. She was hospitalized for a few days with a bowel obstruction, and a few miracles later, she and Dad returned to their mission in Nauvoo. They are happily serving, and Mom is as strong as ever. Today is her birthday, and we wish her a year of health and happiness!
Mike started a new job in mid-October. He now works for a division of Deseret Management called Deseret Digital Media. It is the entity that runs all of the church's "for profit" websites such as, KSL.com, DeseretBook.com, DeseretNews.com, etc. He is loving his job, and after years of travel, the rest of the family loves it too.
For the Deseret Management Christmas Party, we went to the JS Memorial Building and dined with the First Presidency and 9 of the 12 Apostles. I had the good fortune of sitting next to Elder Uchtdorf at the dinner table, and shaking hands with President Monson. I also met Sheri Dew. Pres. Eyering delivered a Christmas message, and the BYU group Vocal Point sang. I have been to a lot of really great work Christmas parties, but this was by far my favorite.
Tyson, Tasha and Taryn are all doing well. Tyson has become a dedicated student this semester. I think he might have his first really great college report card. I always knew he could do it. Tasha is enjoying her Senior year in HS and loves leading the Cheer Squad. She is excited about the opportunities that await her next year as she chooses which college to attend. Taryn is just a happy 8th grader who loves to hang out with her friends. She is a class officer, and enjoys going to the games and planning school activities.
Tanner left the MTC for California on Nov. 4th. His letters have been brief, but as far as I can tell, he is settling in and enjoying his experience. His companion is Elder Brown, and they will soon move into a home that one of the members purchased for the missionaries to live in.
I was concerned for Tanner having his first Thanksgiving away from home. I prayed all week that he would have a very special Thanksgiving, and felt that Heavenly Father would bless him with such. When I got his e-mail on Monday he said that he had been sick on Thanksgiving, and didn't mention anything special. I was a little disappointed until I got a handwritten letter today.
This is what Tanner said, "So, like in my e-mail, I go sick this week. First sick day in the mission. No fun. But we did get to play in the Turkey Bowl for our ward. For Thanksgiving, we ate at the Barberich's house. They're a really nice family. The food was phenomenal. Just traditional Thanksgiving. BUT! I had a very neat experience that night. Elder Brown really wanted to go see a family in our ward that neither of us had been to before. I went along with it, as usual. When we first got to their house, we were welcomed in, but it was really kind of awkward. We didn't know what we were doing there, really. Then, out of nowhere, Sis. Jackson walks down the stairs, looks at me, and says, very enthusiastically, "So I understand you know my nephew." I had no idea what she was talking about. It just so happens that my teacher, Bro. Morgan, from the MTC, is their nephew. He told them all about me, ha ha. It was really cool. She called him, put the phone on speaker, and let me talk to him for a few minutes. That was really neat."
So, most of all I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who somehow knows how to orchestrate special experiences that even a Mom can't create. Yes, we are truly blessed! Hope everyone is gearing up for a wonderful Christmas!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
What a week!
It sounds like Tanner has enjoyed/survived another week at the MTC. He leaves for Fresno, next Wednesday. The time has gone by so quickly that I still need to order some sheets so his bed won't be bare when he arrives. Here are some excerpts from his letter.
"I am really learning to teach with the spirit. It's been fantastic. I taught a fake investigator yesterday with my companion (who is now Elder Moon, not Elder Deason). We taught the Plan of Salvation. We got to share some personal experiences that really brought the spirit in the room. Then we went outside to find that it was SNOWING! Something I thought I wouldn't see again for two years! So I am very glad I got to see it, and get some pictures with it! So awesome.
After that I got to sing in the choir at the devotional! Not only that, but my companion and I were on the camera! AND, not only that, but we were singing for Elder L. Tom Perry, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. :) Such a neat experience! Thanks to Dad, for the gentle nudge in the direction of singing in the choir, I had an awesome experience. Not to mention that Elder Perry's talk on missionary work was fantastic (as I'm sure they always are, when it comes from one of the Quorum of the Twelve)."
We will be looking forward to his phone call that he gets to make from the airport! I can't wait to hear the excitement in his voice and hear how the MTC has changed his life! He did mention, that he won't be able to receive any Dear Elder letters or packages at the MTC after Friday.
"I am really learning to teach with the spirit. It's been fantastic. I taught a fake investigator yesterday with my companion (who is now Elder Moon, not Elder Deason). We taught the Plan of Salvation. We got to share some personal experiences that really brought the spirit in the room. Then we went outside to find that it was SNOWING! Something I thought I wouldn't see again for two years! So I am very glad I got to see it, and get some pictures with it! So awesome.
After that I got to sing in the choir at the devotional! Not only that, but my companion and I were on the camera! AND, not only that, but we were singing for Elder L. Tom Perry, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. :) Such a neat experience! Thanks to Dad, for the gentle nudge in the direction of singing in the choir, I had an awesome experience. Not to mention that Elder Perry's talk on missionary work was fantastic (as I'm sure they always are, when it comes from one of the Quorum of the Twelve)."
We will be looking forward to his phone call that he gets to make from the airport! I can't wait to hear the excitement in his voice and hear how the MTC has changed his life! He did mention, that he won't be able to receive any Dear Elder letters or packages at the MTC after Friday.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Yay! We Got Our First Letter!
After one full week in the MTC, we received our first letter! Although Tanner has lived away from home, I never realized how long a week would be without any communication at all. I must say though, that I wouldn't have it any other way! Tanner keeps requesting lots of mail through DearElder.com. If you have some time, and would like to write, he is MTC Mailbox #222; CA, Fresno Mission (1104); departing the MTC on 11/04.
Here are some excerpts from Tanner's letter...
"My district is really cool. So is my companion, Elder Kyle Deason. He is a nice kid from Nampa, ID. My district leader is Elder Tuai'tanu. He's Samoan. His name sounds like 'Hawaii Canoe' except with T's at the beginning of each word. My teachers are Brother Morgan, and Sister Orchard. They are both pretty cool. Brother Morgan used to be a gymnast. My branch presidency is really nice, too. My zone leaders for the first week were Elder Partner, and Elder Mecham. They were really nice kids. They just left on monday. Now my zone leaders are Elder Lester and Elder Peterson. They are also really nice kids. I like them a lot.
The work I'm doing is great, I've had some really really neat experiences here. Some of the best lessons I've had have been here. It's weird, I don't like just going to church because it's boring. But here, it's awesome. Every class is like Sunday school over and over, but the lessons are so involving that I love them. There is a place here at the MTC that lets people volunteer to be 'practice taught' by us learning missionaries. These volunteers can be members or not, and on several occasions they have real investigators there who let us practice on them. We got to teach a man named Randy Gibbs. He was so cool! We talked to him for almost 30 minutes before we even got into the lesson at all. We were in the room with him for an hour, and we were only scheduled 45 minutes. We just kept going! It was so cool."
Tanner had to quit writing, as it was time to go welcome the new Elder's that came in that day. He's not in the newest group anymore. My how time flies...only 103 weeks left!
Here are some excerpts from Tanner's letter...
"My district is really cool. So is my companion, Elder Kyle Deason. He is a nice kid from Nampa, ID. My district leader is Elder Tuai'tanu. He's Samoan. His name sounds like 'Hawaii Canoe' except with T's at the beginning of each word. My teachers are Brother Morgan, and Sister Orchard. They are both pretty cool. Brother Morgan used to be a gymnast. My branch presidency is really nice, too. My zone leaders for the first week were Elder Partner, and Elder Mecham. They were really nice kids. They just left on monday. Now my zone leaders are Elder Lester and Elder Peterson. They are also really nice kids. I like them a lot.
The work I'm doing is great, I've had some really really neat experiences here. Some of the best lessons I've had have been here. It's weird, I don't like just going to church because it's boring. But here, it's awesome. Every class is like Sunday school over and over, but the lessons are so involving that I love them. There is a place here at the MTC that lets people volunteer to be 'practice taught' by us learning missionaries. These volunteers can be members or not, and on several occasions they have real investigators there who let us practice on them. We got to teach a man named Randy Gibbs. He was so cool! We talked to him for almost 30 minutes before we even got into the lesson at all. We were in the room with him for an hour, and we were only scheduled 45 minutes. We just kept going! It was so cool."
Tanner had to quit writing, as it was time to go welcome the new Elder's that came in that day. He's not in the newest group anymore. My how time flies...only 103 weeks left!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tanner Goes to the MTC
We have spent the last several months preparing Tanner for his mission. On Tuesday, the 13th, he was set apart and we took him to the MTC on Wednesday, the 14th. The setting apart was so nice, and was attended by Grandma Pam, Grandpa JP, Aunt Kim, Uncle Stan, Mikey, Kelsey, Heather, Tad, Brinnlee, Addy, Brigham, Tyler, Liz, Isaac, Uncle Brad, Boston, Austin, Pres. Scott Petersen, his counselor Dave Bell, Bishop Chad Webb, and of course the six of us. President Peterson gave him a nice blessing promising him health, the ability to learn quickly, be obedient, follow the leadership, and to be a leader as well. He told him that there would be some discouraging times, but that he would learn to rely on the Lord to find solutions and peace. He also blessed our family that we would be blessed and protected in his absence. I am already feeling the blessings of having a missionary.
On Wednesday, we took Tanner to the MTC. We took pictures and said our goodbyes at the house before leaving as we heard there wasn't a lot of time at the curb where you now drop the missionaries off. The drive down was pleasant, and we conversed as if it was a regular day. When we arrived, we took some pictures of Tanner across the street with the MTC in the background. Then we pulled into the MTC. All it took was arriving, and my tears started to flow. However, as we pulled through, it was hard to be too sad as the current missionaries were directing traffic and waiting at the curb for the new Elders. We pulled over where instructed, and hopped out of the car to say goodbye. Elder Nuttall greeted Tanner and just happened to be going to Fresno, CA, Mong speaking mission, and instructed Tanner on the MTC handshake (more of an elbow bump to reduce the spreading of germs). Tanner was excited to meet someone who was going to Fresno. We all gave him a final hug, wished him luck, and sent him on his way. The last image in my mind was of Tanner rolling his luggage up the sidewalk with Elder Nuttall. They were already engaged in conversation, and they both looked radiant and happy. We watched until we couldn't see him anymore, and then hopped in the car and drove away. It was kind of funny getting back in the car without him and knowing that we wouldn't see him for a couple of years. However, in typical Petroff fashion, we got in the car, said it wasn't as bad as we thought,, and went to lunch at Brick Oven.
Later that afternoon, I was blessed with a tender mercy regarding Tanner and his choice to be a missionary. I had just finished teaching my final piano lesson when I realized that everyone was out of the house on other activities. Since I didn't want to be alone and sad, I decided to go for a walk. As I walked down Gentile, about 50 yards ahead of me, a young man turned onto Gentile. I was walking behind this young man; the same vantage point as I watched Tanner walk into the MTC. As I got closer to him, I noticed that it was one of Tanner's high school friends. He was slouched over, dressed in black, and smoking a cigarette on his way to work. There was a big contrast between the boy I watched walk into the MTC and the boy I saw walking to work.
At that point, I thanked Heavenly Father for the tender mercy of allowing me to see the difference that good choices make! I realized that I couldn't be too sad, because Tanner was doing exactly what he should and what he knows to be right. Tanner's post high school choices have led him to life as a missionary, and I am so happy that he has used his agency wisely! I'm now rejoicing in the gift of agency, and know that two years will fly by as Tanner serves and blesses the lives of others.
On Wednesday, we took Tanner to the MTC. We took pictures and said our goodbyes at the house before leaving as we heard there wasn't a lot of time at the curb where you now drop the missionaries off. The drive down was pleasant, and we conversed as if it was a regular day. When we arrived, we took some pictures of Tanner across the street with the MTC in the background. Then we pulled into the MTC. All it took was arriving, and my tears started to flow. However, as we pulled through, it was hard to be too sad as the current missionaries were directing traffic and waiting at the curb for the new Elders. We pulled over where instructed, and hopped out of the car to say goodbye. Elder Nuttall greeted Tanner and just happened to be going to Fresno, CA, Mong speaking mission, and instructed Tanner on the MTC handshake (more of an elbow bump to reduce the spreading of germs). Tanner was excited to meet someone who was going to Fresno. We all gave him a final hug, wished him luck, and sent him on his way. The last image in my mind was of Tanner rolling his luggage up the sidewalk with Elder Nuttall. They were already engaged in conversation, and they both looked radiant and happy. We watched until we couldn't see him anymore, and then hopped in the car and drove away. It was kind of funny getting back in the car without him and knowing that we wouldn't see him for a couple of years. However, in typical Petroff fashion, we got in the car, said it wasn't as bad as we thought,, and went to lunch at Brick Oven.
Later that afternoon, I was blessed with a tender mercy regarding Tanner and his choice to be a missionary. I had just finished teaching my final piano lesson when I realized that everyone was out of the house on other activities. Since I didn't want to be alone and sad, I decided to go for a walk. As I walked down Gentile, about 50 yards ahead of me, a young man turned onto Gentile. I was walking behind this young man; the same vantage point as I watched Tanner walk into the MTC. As I got closer to him, I noticed that it was one of Tanner's high school friends. He was slouched over, dressed in black, and smoking a cigarette on his way to work. There was a big contrast between the boy I watched walk into the MTC and the boy I saw walking to work.
At that point, I thanked Heavenly Father for the tender mercy of allowing me to see the difference that good choices make! I realized that I couldn't be too sad, because Tanner was doing exactly what he should and what he knows to be right. Tanner's post high school choices have led him to life as a missionary, and I am so happy that he has used his agency wisely! I'm now rejoicing in the gift of agency, and know that two years will fly by as Tanner serves and blesses the lives of others.
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