Train Ride

First of all I have to say it is wonderful having Kent home again! He has been home for one month today and we still love him! ;)> We put off Nicole's birthday gift which was a train ride, so that dad could go with us. We found out he was coming home, but only new for sure when, about a week before. So we surprised the kids and it was really fun.

Since Kent too was having a birthday, he got to pick the place we would take the train ride to. So we ended up in Charleston, SC. Here is how it went....

So, we went on our train ride finally! It was good except that we couldn't get the WI-fie to work on the train and it said it would. I had downloaded movies so we wouldn't have to take anything but our electronics and they failed us. Going to Charleston was 4 hours and by the fourth hour Nicole was obnoxiously bored. We got there fine and got a cab to the airport to get a rental car and go eat. We were looking for Sticky Fingers, but never found it so we ate at O'Charlies instead. Then we went to the room and slept. Not too exciting the first night. Everyone liked looking out the windows on the train and liked that they could move around.  In Charleston we caught a ferry ride to Ft. Sumter and toured the fort. Along the way they told us some of the history and we watched the dolphins who followed the boat, the seagulls who dove for fish and turtles swimming in the water. Nicole loved it all! She wasn't as interested in the history of the Fort, but the rest of us were and wished we had had more time. We only got an hour on shore and never made it to the inside museum because we were exploring the outside parts. bummer! On the way back dad bought some "Charleston Chew" candy bars. We thought it was appropriate since we were in Charleston, KJ and Nicole didn't really like them too much. Oh well! Another dolphin followed the boat back and was right by KJ and Nicole's window. since they were on the bottom deck they got a real good view and Nicole said she could even see it under the water! KJ got a picture. We went and ate lunch at the Hominy Cafe. A famous place were many celebrities have eaten. I had an eggplant and goat cheese sandwich. It was actually quit good. I also ate fried green tomatoes and the best pecan pie ever! It was mostly pecan's all the way through mixed with the gel sauce stuff, instead of the gel stuff and only pecan's on top. You would have liked it. I wasn't sure about the egg plant, but I wanted to try something different since I was at this cafe that has been featured on TV and the cooking channel.  We couldn't find the outdoor market so we went to the Drayton Hall Plantation. It is the oldest plantation in the US still open to the public. It was fun and interesting. Nicole was a little scared for a few moments when the weather report came across with an emergency on the way to the place warning of thunder, hail and tornado's. We checked when we got to the plantation and the only thing we had to worry about was the heavy rain. Dad and KJ decided to try and take in a swamp walk before the rain hit, but failed! They were soaked! hahahah. KJ had my Disney rain jacket on so he wasn't as bad as dad. Nicole and I had gone into what they called their library to listen to a presentation because it made Nicole feel safer. Needless to say we fared well. They lent us an umbrella when it was time for our tour and we had to run over to the plantation house itself. By the time we were done the storm was just a light sprinkle. We signed up with the restoration society so we could go see more plantations at free or discounted prices all over the USA. Afterwards, we drove and finally found the Sticky Fingers restaurant. It wasn't as good as it had been at Christmas and we were a little disappointed. Oh well, we still enjoyed it. Next we went to find this huge tree called Angel Oak. It is so big it takes 12 men finger tip to finger tip to go around it. Possibly the biggest oak tree in America. The branches reach out across 1/4 acre of land and is so heavy that some are on the ground now and others are being held up with boards so they don't break off from the massive weight. We took some pictures outside the fence because it was closed by the time we got there. Luckily it was by the old dirt road so we were able to see it. Finally we headed back to our hotel room. By then my throat was beginning to get sore. We all took showers and just chilled. We fell asleep quickly when we laid down.

Rebecca's latest. oops wrong blog

Merry Christmas!!!

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday :) So Christmas here at the MTC has been fun, they have been taking good care of us. For Christmas Eve the MTC put on a production of the Nativity but sing-along style so in between the narration we'd sing hymns that applied to the scene. Afterwards they gave us candied popcorn while we watched some production of "A Christmas Carol." There was this scene where the ghost of the Christmas present opened his robes and there were two starving children underneath in rags. It was seriously creepy and I could not stop laughing for either scene. It is fun to watch old movies with a bunch of 19 year old boys too, things suddenly seem a lot funnier than they normally are. After the movie we went back to our residence hall and girls on the hall did their own production of the nativity scene. Quality entertainment, let me tell you...the costumes were put together with whatever was in the rooms so out of cotton balls came Joseph's beard, pig tails were sheep ears, a yellow pillow the star, and there were some other elements added too. Another girl had red footie pajamas she stuffed to be santa and put pink shaving cream for her legs on her face for a beard. She even had a belt. The Zusters and I got pictures with santa and a kinda creepy sister joined in...pictures to be sent soon. After that we got ready for Christmas morning.....

Christmas morning! We could've slept in but the Zusters and I woke up early so we could get ready, go to a floor breakfast (we'd been saving food all week to contribute), and get things done for the elders. All of the elders in our district are fresh from high school so this is their first time being away from home. We've been planning Christmas for them all week. We used some socks as stockings and put in oranges, candy, little notes, a book mark with our district name (Deze Dingen Zendilingen) and what each of them wanted most for Christmas. Elder Roemer wanted white gloves so he could look like Mario, and Zuster Jones got some in a package. She gave his companion Elder Douglas the pair that came with the set so they could be "matching" b/c he got what he really wanted from his parents. Elder Taylor wanted a Christmas tie so we made him one from paper, and Elder Christensen wanted gifts from home so Zuster Townsend gave him a giant candy kiss she got in one of her packages and we wrote him a note saying it was a gift from his MTC family. We also made paper chains and snowflakes to decorate our classroom and at 8 we met with the elders for gift exchanging (breakfast was at 7). We took pictures, and exchanged gifts, it was a lot of fun. My district is so awesome, we're all close and enjoy spending time together. The elders gave us some really thoughtful gifts...hahahah. Elder Roemer gave each Zuster a note and when we put them together they formed a picture of a snowman. My note said "Zuster Hinchcliff I licked this paper right here X" because yesterday I convinced him and elder Douglas that if they licked paper it would stick to more paper...priceless. Elder Douglas gave us each a copy of the Christmas orange story with a chocolate orange. and Elder taylor gave me a bag of mints since I sent all my gum home. They also gave us candy. Then we went to Music and the Spoken Word. For sacrament meeting we met with the entire MTC and Elder Bednar and his wife spoke! It was an excellent meeting :) I'll write you more about that Wednesday, I wish I could now, but there are a kajillion missionaries online right now and the server is reallllly slow...it's taken me about 30 minutes to write this much and thats all the time I have :/ lame. But I will tell you that Bednar imitated Cookie Monster in his talk..super funny!!!

There are 4 elders and 5 Zusters in the district and they are all going to the same mission. The Elders are all fresh from high School, they are Elder Rocmer, Elder Douglass, Elder Taylor, and Elder Christianson. they have the same mailing address. The zusters are zuster Jones, zuster Davis, Zuster Schwab, Zuster townsend and of course Zuster Hinchcliff. Some of the Elders and Zusters don't get any letters. My companions are Zuster Townsend & zuster Schwab. I love them both!! Actually, they are all wonderful. Just don't expect a reply b/c writing letters is hard to find the time to do. I know I haven't been here a week yet, but I am learning so much and am receiving so many insights to the gospel. I am learning every time I open my scriptures.

Oh, guess what? I joined the MTC choir, unexpected right? I just feel like I needed to, so I did. Our whole district is doing it together minus one zuster. last week we sang at a fireside and Elder Clayton of the 70 spoke. It was such a good devotional about giving and receiving. Our district  and our Branch 2nd Counselor and Brother Hill touched on something Sister Clayton said about how a gift is receiving gives it value. He related giving and receiving to a game of catch. the game would be lame if the giving and receiving weren't reciprocated. I can see it and relate it to our investigator. Unfortunately, he is going back to the Netherlands now  that Christmas is over so we won't see him again. HE did take a book of Mormon (Boek van Mormon) with our testimonies (getquikenis) written on post its. (which I need many more of. Index cards too!) 

Don't forget the best gift of all at this Christmas time. Our Savior Jesus Christ. His whole idea was dedicated to us. The least we can do is dedicate ourselves to each other to be good receivers of the gift of his life and love. I want to challenge each of you to give something of yourselves for the holiday and new year. I know as you do, you will experience the best year yet. I love you all!!! Zuster Hinchcliff

Jan. 4th,

The DearElder letters are coming through and working great! Thanks :) It's exciting when I get one! If you want to write to the others in my District too, feel free. They don't all get letters and even a I know you'll do great! quick message would make their day. I really want to send you pictures of my district, but we can't upload to the computer at the MTC and machines they have in the bookstore take 2+ weeks to print the pictures and are currently broken :/ Fingers crossed I can get some out to you all soon!!

Rebecca's MTC address is Bel-Neth 0214, 2005 N 900E, Provo UT 84604-1793. You can just write my name, box # 331, and then the MTC address and it'll get to me. My departure date is February 13th. As a district we want to make paper valentines and pass them out on the plane with messages of love (aka the gospel)...we'll see if any of us are brave enough/if anyone accepts our valentines, but we're really excited!

My district is awesome, I love them sooo much!! We have lots of fun together and learn a lot.

If anyone wants to join us, we were thinking that as a family or as friends we could help the valentine effort by making valentines with messages of gospel love. We can send them in a big envelope so they have them to hand out as they travel. Let me know if you are interested.  Julie (mother)

We had a great time making our annual graham cracker houses with the Elders. Everyone was  creative and  we tested different types of frosting. Some of the houses had minor damage due to unforeseen forces, but when tasted they were still enjoyed!
We had corn chowder after and then many of us went caroling. It was a fun evening. It is the time spent laughing, singing, creating and relaxing that makes the holidays good. However it is the appreciation expressed by those whose hearts we touch that makes the season special.

the Elders came on their bikes and were ready to get to work! I think they had a good time trying to create their houses and having a little Christmas cheer. I don't know yet if they survived the trip home, but hopefully  they got a ride after their appointment.

I believe that everyone had fun. Even the adults.  

Nicole decided to only do the inside of her  house. She wanted to be different. Plus she said the inside was easier.

Mary house was cute with her "nerdy" roof. By the time I took the picture she had eaten  the elephant that had been in her yard. Shortly after she ate the other animal! None of these houses will last long, but it was a fun use of the old Halloween candy. 

Zuster HInchcliff's Departure

We had her at the airport at 9:15 and the flight left Fayetteville at 10am. the kids and I took her there to see her off. We wanted the last few minutes of family time. Now, Zuster Hinchcliff is gone and the house is a quiet mess. Remnants of her hasting packing and bedroom area are still present and we  have left over cookies and snacks for friends who stopped by to say good-by. It is funny how we can prepare and plan for things and still feel unprepared and rushed at the end. I feel that a lot when it comes to llife, (and my lesson's at church.) Rebecca didn't get a lot of things finished that she should have, but I guess that is what mom is for. She has most things and a strong testimony! She is ready for this "grand adventure" in her life. I have always had the job of picking up the loose ends and tying things up for everyone.

Yesterday before church started, Nicole asked if I was going to cry. I said probably so she decided to get me some tissue to have on hand. She, KJ and the Anderson kids sang, We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Heleman), It was beautiful! I was doing good until I saw Sister Catlett crying, I couldn't hold it any more and I began to cry. The song finished and Nicole sat down. She took one look at me and said, " Are you crying already? Becky hasn't even talked yet!" She shook her head and sighed.

Nicole feels sad that her sister will be gone, but she finds excitement in knowing that Mary will be home on friday. Kind of like trading one for another. KJ said, "yeah!" as we pointed out that she was gone. Of course he meant it in a happy for her mission for her, kind of way.

Dad called twice trying to make sure that he was able to say good-by and he wanted to know all about her setting apart and her farwell talk. For now though, as happy and proud as we are for Zuster Hinchcliff. I am going to take a nap! I am worn out!

Mary's adventure getting to college

We drove from NC ot GA and picked up Sherry. We got caught in a down pour in Savannah and stoppped in to see the spilman's. It was a fun stop and we were back on the road. We got to sherry's at 11:30. Left the next morning and made it as far as Little Rock, then on to Albuquerque, finally on to Vegas. We saw wild horses, beautiful landscaping through the desert, and the four corners monument. We were in four states at once. We saw old Albuquerque and learned there were dead bodies in the walls. In vegas we went to a water park party, saw Robbie practicing football and hugged Adam. Soon we will go to the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory and we will get to visit with more wonderful family members throughout the weekend and celebrate Sherry's birthday. 50 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!
Monday we will be off to Cedar to drop Mary off at college. Then on to get Becky until her mission. I have enjoyed the company, but do miss KJ and Kent. At home KJ has made linebacker on the school football team and got his Life in Boyscouts. I hate missing those things unfortunatly, there is only one me to try to cover all the bases.