Paint Ball = Big Welt

Hey all. I'm glad to hear that your week was better. Thank you both for your letters of love and encouragement. I did get Nancy's classes letter. It was a delightful surprise.

I don't really know how to tell you about my week. I've done a huge emotional turn around in the last few days. I know when I was writing to you on Monday I sounded real down, that would be because I was. Well let me change that not down just not up? Let's go with I wasn't myself. I didn't really pull out of it till Friday. We had Zone Conference on Thursday - President gave me a blessing - a really sweet blessing but I don't remember a word of it. That's what happens when I don't write things down. After Zone Conference we really didn't have a moment to breath - we had three lessons back to back. We were very blessed in that all the lessons had a strong spirit present and it was good.

But I was still in my funk. Friday after lot's of prayer I was inspired with what to do. You should be getting it in the mail towards the end of the week. And I'm all better now. (Kelli sent me a recordable card with her voice saying "It's All Good". I told her I was in her room talking to Taylor and looking at the sign on her wall that says "It's All Good" and I wished she could call me and just say that on the answering machine. She also sent me an angel - It's a Willow Tree "Angel of Healing" - she really was inspired - it was just what I needed!)

Amber was baptized in Tally on Saturday. We had one of our investigators here in Lynn Haven at Church on Sunday. It's been a pleasant weekend.

Today we went paint balling out in the woods with a group of people. Most of whom I've never met but had a jolly good time. I'm also covered in welts presently - they are pretty impressive.

I realize this is a short letter. Sounds like things are on an upward trend for you all as well. Keep it up and I promise that next week I'll be more interesting.

Love you.

Kelli

Chat with Mom

I just read dad's email it sounds like you have been crazy busy. Are you near a computer and have a few minutes to chat?

Hey Kelli - I just sent you an email - are you still there?

Yep I just finished the big email. Fourty people over at our house? Dang. Is the kitchen construction done?

Pretty much - one door had to be remade and it isn't here yet and two hinges aren't working right yet - then it will be done! We even cleaned the whole downstairs - their is still more dusting to do on windows and blinds

Look at you super woman! How are you really?

Don't worry about me - I'm tough! I'm a Maloney!!! To quote you - "It's all good". Tell me about you!!! That's what I want to hear about!

Oy me. Um, yeah it's all good :) I am a better woman because of this experience. And while without the Lord's patient insistence I would have never dreamed of serving a mission, I'm glad I'm here. So that's how I am. I have high highs, and low lows. But my faith is always just strong enough to get me through.

My Jewish daughter! Oy to you too! You get to experience all that we do here so I guess it doesn't matter where you are we just do our best! Taylor's faith is unwavering and she reminds me constantly that the Lord gives us only what we can handle - so I guess I just keep handling it!

Dad said to tell you he loves you!!! How is your new companion? What is going on?

My new comp is fine. We barley know each other but we get along really well. She was trained by Sister Hartman so we have that to fall back on in order to relate to each other. It's kind of comforting knowing that the Lord wants me here and as long as I do His will to the best of my ability He will help me do whatever it is He sent me here to do. Tell Dad I love him too - and I love you three.

I eat my gluten free oatmeal you sent me for breakfast everyday and feel great. I didn't read the warning till too late though. Apparently you are suppose to slowly integrate it into your diet 'cause there is so much fiber in it. It took me by surprise at first but it's all good now.

I've got to get going we have a lot left to do today. Love you! Talk to you next week.

Me and Amber.











Tanya and Krissie with their Birthday gift to me. Swan Princess anyone?













Dying Siser Malcom's hair.








Me and Krissie.

Tally District - I felt the need to be tall.













Me and Kacie.














This is my chair in Tally. I love my chair and I miss my chair. Sigh.













One of the many beautiful Southern homes I have seen in the last few days. So far it's my favorite.





It sounds like ya'll have had an awesome week. I thought Grandma's birthday wasn't till next week? I thought I had time! Where has the time gone?! I'll get her letter out to her today. Please tell her I'm sorry. I really thought her birthday was in July. I must be taking crazy pills. (Both Grandma's birthdays are in July - Grandma Maloney had an early party while Scott, Az and kids are here).

Speaking of, we arrived to our new apartment Wednesday and found that most of the food there was expired and moldy. Did I tell you I was whitewashing? Sister Hall and I whitewashed some Elders, you could tell that they had tried to clean up but their try and my try are two different things. It wasn't that bad, till we looked in the bathroom. It was a little scary in there. It's all good. We have grand plans to gut the place and paint it hot pink so that future Elders know that we were there. We be funny.

So you are not seeing things dad? I've been trying to tell you that for years. If you started seeing things my way all would become clear and you would know exactly where your salad bowl was :) Just kidding. We both know that I had to come around to your way of seeing things most of the time so now I have to wonder if I'll start missing the salad bowl too? (Since Michael's surgery he has a blind spot in his vision and didn't see his salad when served to him on Taylor's birthday).

I'm glad you had fun up at the Bevan cabin, I remember it well I can still smell it. Ugh. I'm further glad that it was you there and not me. (Maloney Family Reunion at the cabin in Tooele).

I'm fascinated by the re-framing of the negative comments made by dad's doctor. I know that that is something we've all been taught to do but it sounds like ya'll have been working on it for a while now and have improved in leaps and bounds. I look forward to catching up with ya'll.

Lynn Haven is different than anywhere else I've served. The people here love missionary work and do most of it themselves. I haven't had to twist anyone's arm to get their support or help. Most of it is done before I have a chance to ask for help. It is so different I don't quite know how to handle it. Lynn Haven is also the most Southern town I've ever served in so I'm getting more of the real southern culture.

It's nice being the newbies in town we get to play the "We're new" card a lot especially with less actives, so we get a fresh start with everyone. We have the extra added bonus of not just being new to the area but we are Sisters, they haven't seen Sisters in years and we're the new thing. It's all very exciting and a little overwhelming. I don't know what the Lord want's me to do here other than my best. And right now my best doesn't really feel adequate to the task ahead. Ay and wo is me.

So this next cruise of yours, while your gone can I go to Greece? I feel that my development as a well rounded, educated daughter of God is being hindered by my lack of experience in the old world. As responsible and loving parents you will feel a desire to help me expand my horizons and I feel that the best way to do that is to fulfill one of my greatest dreams. Will you let me go to Greece? I know that as you plan and prepare for this once in a lifetime opportunity that a Spirit and thirst for culture and education will come more fully into your lives benefiting you and your posterity in many great and abundant ways allowing you to no longer be uncultured swine but bright Sons and Daughters of a Loving Heavenly Father.

How's that for a commitment pattern?

Oh and when you find out more about this Jimmy person I want to hear about it. That will also help me in my development as a well rounded, educated daughter of God :)
(Michael told Kelli - "With God, all things are possible", Matthew 19:26. Did you know that this quote is the state motto of Ohio? In 1958, a nine year old named Jimmy Mastronado, went to Columbus, registered as a lobbyist, and was able to get the motto passed and signed by the Governor in 1959.)

Love you all very much. Peace! Kelli

Transfer to Lynn Haven Florida!

Big News! Big News!

I am getting transferred to Lynn Haven. It is a 1/2 hour drive from Panama City Beach - it's like I've been there before. I'm a little bummed, but I am ready to go do whatever it is that needs to be done. The Lord has prepared me in several ways to help me let go of my beloved Tally. Drama, drama, drama - nothing terrible, you have to expect a little madness in a Singles Ward but I've found that there is more madness in family wards than anywhere else. So that's the big news Number One.

Number Two is that Lauren, one of my dear friends out here, was baptized Saturday. It was wonderful - I'm so proud of her. I have pictures but the computer I'm at will not allow me to send them so I'll get 'em to you next week. Side note - my life will be completely different next week. Ahhh!

Big news Number Three is that Amanda (Dan's (Sparkels) friend) came to the baptism and really enjoyed it. She has been progressing in huge leaps and bounds it's been really cool to watch. But she is going home for the Summer tomorrow, and won't be back till August but I think it will be good. Amber is doing really well too. I'll see her tomorrow but she is going to PCB this weekend so I might see her then too.

I'm gonna miss campus. It's the only place I really feel like I know how to be a missionary - elsewhere it's different. And just as I figure things out in Lynn Haven I'll be on a plane home. I think it's a metaphor for life - get comfy and get something thrown at you so you grow again. Stupid perfect plan of happiness - you'd think He knew what He was doing or something.

I sent Taylor and Dad cards, but I didn't get them out till Wednesday so you probably won't get them till tomorrow. But know that I love you and was thinking about you yesterday. And I'll be thinking about Small One on Wednesday as well! Seventeen! I can't believe it - So big.

The kitchen looks great. I'm assuming you are going to put wood paneling on the fridge to match the rest of the kitchen 'cause now you can. I'm very excited to see the finished product. I'm also amazed at your adding to your own crazy life by moving offices! I know it will be fine and you'll save much mullah but dang, stress big time!

Dad, you sound much better, more like your normal self. It's nice. Look at you a grilling machine! OH that reminds me, I ate fish this week. It wasn't horrible but given the choice I wouldn't choose to do it again.

Well I have to get going we have 9 missionaries taking turns using 2 computers. Love you!

Kelli

Chat 5/15/09

Mom? Are you there?

Kelli!!!! We just got back from the doc - are you still there?

Yep I'm here I just sent you a lot of pictures. What did the Dr say?

It was Dr. Abolnik the Infectious Disease doc - he thinks he is doing really well. And he actually is - today is a good day even with a trip to the doctor and Quizno's!

Yippee! I really can't think of anything to say. How sad is that?

Tell me about your new companion and the new 3rd comp - what are their names so I can look at their face in the picture?

My new companion is Sister Malcom. And the 3rd member of our companionship is Sister Goodsell. Sister Malcom and I got along really well the 12 days that we were together. She's a little crazy and is like a little 2 yr old when it's bedtime - she has a dozen different reasons why she should stay up and is so tired that she babbles incoherently then finally collapses into bed and is out within min. Sister Goodsell, I like her just fine.

What did you do for your bday? Planetarium or something else? I just gave dad a pain pill - earplugs and closed his door. Jessie the installer is here to finish up everything except the doors which bubbled up on the final coat and they have had to strip them and refinish them - they tell my Friday is my day of install - but we shall see....

We didn't do anything grand for my Birthday but the Elders all spoiled me wonderfully. I wanted to go to this giant wigwam but it is closed on Mondays. I told Elder Mahan that he was in charge of all birthday activities. Elder Eden made his special enchiladas, and a birthday cake. I'd made a cake too so we had plenty of that to go around. The TCC elders brought Ice Cream and we played card games and a board game that was rather lame. But all in all it was a nice relaxing day and I felt pampered. Oh I got the cards ya'll sent and I didn't have to talk to Ramon or whatever that guy Whitney was talking about to get it. We play all the cards on a daily basis and laugh muchly.

Did you get the Amazon order - I don't want to say what it is if you have not received it yet - and how about the socks?

Dan & Michelle ran the Utah Valley Marathon Sat - they and all the kids were going to spend the night but Dan got the flu - his kids had it earlier this week and we all decided dad didn't need that so they stayed home - they were exhausted - they ran the Ogden Marathon 2 weeks ago - Michele was 20 minutes slower than the Ogden and Dan walked from mile 18 on - he had been carbo loading for a week and lost 4 pounds throwing up Thursday night.

The granite is gorgeous - I will send pictures next week when we have doors too!!!!!

I got the oatmeal. Your right I did laugh. Do you have the granola bar recipe? That would be awesome. The socks are so nice. I feel like a new woman in them.

Blake Sutherland came home from his mission on your bday. He spoke in church yesterday - Taylor kept leaning over and telling me she had never heard him say this much. I talked to him after Sunday school and he even talked then!

I thought dad would be ok to leave home for 2 hours yesterday while I went to Sacrament and Sunday School - I came home and he was exhausted - he had a shower and couldn't find any pants - he searched the whole house for 40 minutes - even your room! I told him I hadn't done laundry for 2 weeks and they were probably on the floor in our room in a pile - he claims he checked there. He wanted to go buy some but I had taken his car. Mine was out of gas.

That man is so funny. I can't believe the lengths he goes to sometimes. Has it really been two years since Blake left? Ahhh! Oh what's this about Abby being engaged? Dad sent a two-sentence thing about it and said he'd tell me more but then more never came.

Do you feel good after you eat the oatmeal? I still add cottage cheese and frozen blueberry's to mine every morning.

I haven't tried it yet. It's way too hot to have it for breakfast. I'm waiting to make the bars. Thanks for the recipe.

I keep forgetting. FSU is playing at BYU two days after I get home. I want to go to the game decked out in all my FSU stuff and I have a lot. We should get tickets for everyone and go together. It would be a blast. Ok I'll probably take a book and read most of the time 'cause we all know how much I like football but I want to go support my team!

I am not sure about Abby - Kathy Marsden told me - James had told her - I talked to Jan Cannon yesterday mostly about dad and did we need any more meals - late last night I realized I should have asked her about Abby! Ahhh.

Did I tell you we have a working sink, dishwasher, garbage disposal and counters? I made lasagna yesterday to celebrate! I enjoyed every minute of cooking and cleaning - it has been 3 months since we lost use of the sink, garbage disposal, and dishwasher and 6 weeks since the kitchen was demolished. I have a metaphor going that says as the kitchen gets put back together - so does dad's head. With all the delays we have had I really have been getting quite upset because it is messing with my metaphor. Friday I installer was suppose to be here but they scheduled him somewhere else - I was not happy about it at all and even told them about my metaphor and that they were messing with my life! I have had gluten lately with the ward feeding us - we are on our own now and I will get back to normal. Dad is glad I am mad at the kitchen people and not him!

You didn’t' tell me about the plumbing but dad did. I know Taylor was thrilled to have her favorite meal.

We'll look into the tickets! Imagine you reading during a football game!
Ok this is Whitney... that last line was mom but now it's me!

Hey girl how's it going? I loved your letter it made me giggle. I was hopping that I would have a politely insistent man with an accent telling me the same thing over and over. We could have swapped stories then.

I’m so upset Ramon was not there to greet you! He and I had a few words..... and I think he won but I still felt pretty good at the end of it all

Good for you. He knows for sure what you thought of their stupid policy. Even if he was pretending to speak very poor English. I'm so excited to watch Twilight with you and Small one. It will be great fun. One of the Less Actives we've been working with gave me a huge Edward poster that I'm to chicken to hang up but I unroll every now and again to admire.

There is this Edward cardboard cut out down the street from me that the girls have put up in their window peaking out from behind a curtain.... it scares the crap out of me every time I go by it! cuz someone is totally watching me!!!! But yes... its a freaking awesome movie and then the next one will come out a few months later!!!! Oh gosh.... Jacobs’s abs.... you can’t think about them so I will for you.

You're so good to me Whit. Only you would selflessly think about Jacobs well-toned abs for your poor sister. Dan (Sparkles) he as that stand up of Edward too.

Well love I've got to get going. But have a great week. And be happy thinking about Jacob for me. Love you babe!

This picture took four tries before we got the streamers in at the same time the picture was taken.

Sister Malcom wrapped me up in a birthday streamer.

Kelli blowing out the candles on the cake that Elder Eden made - it was yummy!

All the Sisters in the Mission. L-R back row: Stowers, Hartman, me, Hancock, Johns, Goodsell, Malcom, Hall. L-R front row: Wright, Wilcox, Palmer.

Kelli and Elder Mortinson the day Elder Bednar came to speak to them. She looks very tan!

(Kelli and I chatted on line today - I will organize it and get it posted later - Mom)