Photo from the past:

I chill ... I will... I am...















On November 17th Trace flew home from the MTC. While he was there he had not only learned Spanish but how to recognize the Spirit and follow the promptings. After being at the MTC for a few weeks Trace began to feel that he needed to come home to finish some things and prepare more to be a missionary. He will be home for six to nine months before returning to the MTC and completeing his mission in Texas. We thank everyone for supporting Trace thus far and hope that you will continue to do so over the next few months while he works toward returning to the field. We know he is doing the right thing and are proud of his decision to come home for a season in order to be the best missionary he can be.

Photo from the past: Check out my ride...I'm trading up for a bike...






Another week has passed by. Trace tells us that he loves all the letters and encourages us to continue with the care packages. He loves them and they're great for "bragging rights". Spanish is coming along. He says that he's learned more in the past two weeks than he did in the two years he took it in high school. Amazing what one can do with the Spirit and person study! As he is learning the language he is also learning about the mission in his area from return missionaries teaching him. Come to find out...missionaries are not able to drive at night, after dark, because of the methods that gangs initiate new members. The "new member" to be drives around at night with out their lights on until some other unsuspecting driver brights him (to tell him to turn them on) then the gang initiatee follows that car and shoots the driver. Trace thought this story would be fun to share...we are glad the missionaries in this area ride bikes:).

MTC Week One

Photo from the past: Trace, never to shy to star in a picture, asks the photographer if he's ever seen a baby quite as handsome as himself.



Trace has been at the MTC for one week. He tells us that the days are flying by and the Spanish is going well. Confessing that classes are more challenging because they teach them in Spanish but he's hanging in there. Thinking himself rather clever he gave us a few lines of his testimony in Spanish for us to interprete. We managed and love that he wrote us this way. We are now inspired to learn Spanish ourselves. This may or may not be a surprise to anyone but Trace is having a bit of an adjustment to the MTC food. He welcomes any food packages anyone may feel inclined to send his way:) And true to form...Trace looks forward to gym time and playing basketball. He shared a funny story, well funny to him but not the other elder, who sprained an ankle playing basketball and as he was leaving the health center area a basketball, intended for Trace, was hurled through the air, Trace misses it and the speeding ball is stopped successfully by the limping elders head - cut to elder dropping to the ground. Bad day for the elder. A funny memory for Trace. Both will never forget it.

First Letter Home

Picture from the past: Trace in one of his earliest adventures...the STAIRS.





So Trace has been in the MTC for a little less than a week. His Preparation Day or P day is on Thursday so this will be the day that does his laundry (yes it is now a scheduled event) and is able to have a little free time doing missionary appropriate activities like playing a little basketball or writing letters to family. He has already sent us one short letter. He shares that it is more difficult than he expected but still fun. He is there with one of his best friends who is going to Japan and in a room close to his. He also said that letters would be great! This is new because before he left he said he wasn't much of a letter kind of guy :) While he is in the MTC others are able to write him letters using the website http://www.dearelder.com/. They will hand deliver the letters for free every day to missionaries at the MTC. They also have carepackages that may be purchased and sent that same day or the next while he is in the MTC. Trace said he'd love to hear from us!

The last week home

It's been busy these past couple of weeks. We've continued getting items and tasks completed before Trace leaves. In true Trace-Face form, he waited until the last minute to get things done (just in case the list changed and he didn't want to do things twice). On the 17th Trace entered the Sacramento Temple to take out his endowments. It was the first of many spiritual experiences to happen this week. It was great because one of his older sisters, Tamber, was in town and able to attend. Great experience and we were to honored to be able to witness such an important step in his life.

(A familiar sight when on family vacations. The three kids sharing the back seat. Last time for the next two years.)

The following Tuesday Trace received his Patriarical Blessing. His 3 parents, 2 siblings, and 1 grandparent were in attendance. It was wonderful to hear of the love that our Heavenly Father has for Trace and the blessings that are awaiting him as he choses a righteous life. It's hard to put to words the feelings that come from such an experience but I think gratitude will do for now.

On Thursday evening Trace was to be set apart as a missionary. Before hand we took he and his brother and sister to an indoor miniature golf place that has a halloween theme year round. It was fun to see them get along and enjoy themselves. The place used black light so all of our whites glowed. After he was set apart his mom took him, the kids, and some of Trace's friends to dinner. Trace said it was weird because now that he was an Elder...he was not able to be out late and ended up going to bed before midnight (a first in a very very very long time).

Goodbyes were said on Friday morning to Trace's mom, Tashly and Tevin. We headed out to Utah about 10 in the morning. The trip was pretty uneventful and we were glad to arrive at Uncle Shaw's house safely. We could feel the temperature change immediately. Utah was great. We had a get together with the Covington side of the family. Although not members, they are so incredibly supportive of Trace serving a mission. Sure is a family with lots of love. We went to Utah 4 days earlier than we needed to so that we could finish purchasing clothes and items that were required of Trace before he entered the MTC. We managed to have just enough time for that and for a little fun too. Of course it rained and snowed (to the chagrin of Trace) which was a reminder of how much we love California although it's nice to remember how pretty it is when the snow falls.

(Dad chasing Trace...a regular activity growing up...during Ultimate Frisbee game)

(Cake that Tamber made for Utah get together)

(Trace with his big sisters- now he's taller than them)

(Trace showing his nephew how to set up the toy set that use to be his. He had a little bit of a hard time letting go :) )

(Monday night we went to Temple Square in SLC and walked around the visiter center. Great view from the ground. Better from inside)

Wednesday was the big day. Trace was packed and ready at 9:00am, we drove to Provo and met his older sisters, niece, and nephew for lunch before dropping him off. In recent months the MTC stopped having a family goodbye meeting due to the swine flu being spread so ramped. Now it is a curbside drop off. Literally, we have time to get the luggage and the missionary out of the car, take a couple of photos, a quick hug and off he goes. I suppose it was nice to have it quick like that...no need to pull that "goodbye band aide" off any slower than it was. We said our goodbyes than jumped back into the warm car with our eye a little misty with tears. They were good tear and short lived as we talk of how proud we were and excited for this next stage in his life. He's sure grown up fast.

(Our goodbye photo)

(Watching Trace walk towards the MTC doors with an escort pulling his bags - It's official - He's a missionary!)

Until next time ...

Four More Days!!!

Last week we co-hosted an open house for Trace and one of his best friends, Parker, so their friends and families to get together to say their "good byes" and "good luck" for the next two years. It was great fun with tons of food and laughter. One of the highlights (next to Mayloni's brownies and Heidi's petitfours) was the Tuttle girls singing their version of "I hope they call me on a mission" with lyrics specific for the soon to be missionaries. The next day they both gave their farewell talks. Very impressive. No doubt they will be amazing missionaries. This week was all about the Temple. Saturday Trace received his Endowments. It is fair to say that this was greatest experience, thus far, towards his becoming a missionary. Such an thrill to be there with him. Over the next four days we are looking forward to being witness to him receiving his Patriarchal Blessing and then on Thursday evening he will be set apart as a MISSIONARY! Sure love this kid. Our sense of pride is causing us to breath more deeply each day.

Trace contemplating how the word "fireside" will mean something else in Texas.

Doing best to prepare for his mission by getting plenty of rest

(wonder if he knows you can't store it)

We drive Trace to Utah four weeks from today. We met with him on Tuesday to talk about what he had left to do or purchase before entering the MTC and in his oh-so-familiar-relaxed-way he assured us all was cool and would be taken care of (i.e. partriarical blessing and endowments appointments). In our encouraging yet "knowing" how he procrastinates way, reminded him that he is to enter the MTC in five weeks, this prompted him to involuntarily suck in air with a gasp and his eyes shot open with reality. Yeap, that did the trick. He tells us he is excited as are we. Proud doesn't describe how we feel but it will have to do for now.

The Call August 7, 2009

"I will go where you want me to go...but please please...not spanish speaking"

Family and friends are all able to be "there" thanks to cell phones and webcams. See the two laptops? One is Tawni and Dan the other is Tamber and her family. Technology is AWESOME!

This is Trace and his friends reactions when he continues to read the letter and realizes the Lord actually wants him to speak spanish (What? Spanish? Didn't the Lord hear him?) No hay problema Trace... espanol es facil. Vas a estar bien!