Trace has actually taken the time to write more than three sentences. He actually wrote on three pages, both sides. After we picked our jaws up off the floor we thoroughly read it word for word and then read it again just in case we missed something. He seems to be doing very well. He mentioned that the time is passing quickly. He still misses home on P-day but the rest of the time he is busy and doesn't have time to think about it. We can see him grow as a missionary and grow in his testimony. He reports in the last three months he has read the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the New Testament. Says he loves reading and studying the scriptures and wishes he had discovered its validity when he was growing up (instead of whining that he HAD to read with us as a family - ha ha). His commitment to missionary work, he promises, will not end after he returns. He encourages us all to me missionaries and share the gospel. He also challenges his younger brother and sister to share their testimonies next Fast Sunday. We'll see if that happens :) Trace narrowly escaped a viscous dog attack when a dog ran out from underneath a car and bit him. (no skin broke) Trace said it scared him so bad that reacted by kicking at the dog like a football. Sadly, the dog was only as big as a football :) After landing the dog ran off and both he and Trace moved on (waiting to meet another day) Trace has learn to eat more foods. WOW?! Not actually liking more foods but had figures out how to swallow without looking like he is in pain somehow. Trace shares that the Port Isabel area in lovely and he and his comp will run a couple of times a week along the shores. Not bad scenery for exercise, eh? Their investigation pool is small but their hearts are big and even with the doors getting slammed in their faces, they continue on everyday wanting to share what they know to be true and what brings them happiness, in hopes that others can know too. What an amazing Elder he becoming.

Trace flew to Texas on Monday, September 6th. He was able to call us while he waited for his plane at the airport. It was great to hear his voice. He was excited and nervous at the same time. He's heard so many great things and some things that sounded dangerous, involving the drug trafficing, but all in all he seems to be antipating the good. We were sad that we had to say goodbye when we did so we could go to work but we know he is where he is suppose to be and know we will talk again soon through letteres. We, along with Tamber and our grandchildren, made Elder Trace a large care-package with a lot of goodies. We're crossing our fingers that it arrives undamaged and dry. Trace told us that his area has had a lot of rain. We got a letter from his mission (Pres. and Sister Trayner) on Wednesday letting us know that Trace had arrived and was doing well. We also recieved a letter from Trace. He reports that it had been raining non stop for the three days he'd been there. His apartment is about 1 1/2 hours away from the mission office but he can see the ocean from his front door. He said he was surprised with how green everything was. He had expected it to be like the desert. The town he is in is a little fishing town, Port Isabel Trace is not a fan of fish so dinner appointments will be interesting. His first teaching appointment was that first night and we was looking forward to that. His new address is listed on the side as is his mission office address should anyone want to write. He loves letters and packages. We're looking forward to more letters and pictures to come from him and will be sure to post weekly for those who are interested.

No, No, it's this way...


I like to call it..."Breakfast"


a.k.a "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego"

It's hard to believe that Trace has been at the MTC for 6 weeks now. He reports that his language is coming along great. He has had the chance to see and spend time with other missionaries who left from our area. His companion at the MTC is the District Leader and is a "no fun","no frills" kind of guy. This we find humorous because Trace tends to be an "all fun" kind of guy. Perhaps their differences will help them both become better within themselves. Trace shares that he is happy to be where he is at this time and is very thankful to all those who have written him and sent him care packages. Apparently the packages are great for "bragging" rights. Time has passed by quickly for us. Trace is good about writing us weekly and we here are committed to writing him a couple of times a week. Once in a letter and again when we send him his weekly care package with goodies and ideas for impromptu lessons, talks, or spiritual thoughts. He's in our daily thoughts and therefore our daily prayers. We've seen the blessings of having a missionary already. Maybe it's because our prayers have become more specific and earnest in his behalf; maybe it's because we know the challenge that mission life can be; maybe it's because we are trying to improve our own testimonies as he is sharing his; or maybe because it's because we know the worth in the work he is preparing to do ...whatever it is we find ourselves feeling closer to him and closer to our Savior and Heavenly Father each day.

Before he was Elder C. ~enjoying the jokes and laughter







Elder Covington has been at the MTC for 2 weeks. His first letter there was hand written instead of the normal email system because the system was down. We were thrilled he took the time to write at all :)He tells us the Spanish has come right back to where it was when he left last Fall. His teacher tell he and his fellow elders that they will be fluent in Spanish before they go into the field. His companion comes from a military background with his father being in the army for 40 years and the elder served in the navy for 3 before entering the mission field. Elder Covington says his comp. tells him there is no time for joking and laughter at the MTC but we are confident our elder will change his comps way of thinking before too long:). Elder C reports he has never been more tired and will find himself waking up in the middle of class without realizing that he even fell asleep. Elder C. has enjoyed all the letters and packages he has recieved and tells us they help make the time go by faster. He says he feel like he has been there for a long time. This is good. He will be even more excited to head for Texas when it is time. We love our Elder and are very proud of him. We know he will be the best missionary (especially when he has the ability to stay awake)!

WE LOVE OUR ELDER!

Trace has been back at the MTC for 24 hours now. He was set apart as a Missionary on the 6th with his family present. After a brief goodbye to some of his family members he returned home to finish packing and spend a little more time with his friends. On the morning of July 7, 2010 Tim and Misty took Trace to the airport at 4:30am. No tears this time (although eyes might have been a little damp with pride) Trace was a tired Elder but excited to get back to the MTC. He's been ready to go for some time now. Some of his last statements on the ride to the airport were "you can start letter writing" and "I'll look forward to those packages". Not wanting to disappoint we went home and had a care package of cookies sent that same day through dearelder.com. We love that company. Makes letter writing and sending care packages easy and quick.

So, we'll do our best to keep every posted weekly with updates and photos that he sends us. Please keep in your thoughts and prayers.

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:).