Little Buddha

Basketball and then a 4 mile jog out by the Intermediate School. 2 miles this evening with Jarren down to the cow field and then back.

Ran over to Hurricane Auto Sales and back home 6 miles, knee hurting some.

Ran 8 miles this morning, pretty hot outside.  I went from the house up La Verkin Twist trail and then up to the Overlook, and then back down on the highway.  Time was slow, but still a good run.

Decent run up the river from Pah Tempe and back.  I haven't been feeling very motivated lately.

Basketball this morning.  Today was Jordan's last day.  Jansen also went.  After basketball I went and ran Nephi's Twist, ok 6 mile run, right knee still bothering me.

Valley Academy Loop 7 miles.

No run today dropped Jordan off at the MTC one of the hardest things I've ever done even though I'm so excited for him and the experiences he will have in Mozambique.

Ran 6 miles from the condo went over to Van Winkle and then back on 900 East

6 miles on the Provo River trail ran from Utah Lake State Park to Geneva Road. Right knee hurt

Well, this past week was filled with many spiritual experiences. On Monday we continued to help Jordan pack up his room and get his bags ready to leave on his mission.  Monday evening we sold the Jeep Cherokee to the Ryman's for $1800 which is the same price we bought it for, I really hope the Jeep works for them.  We plan to put the money in the bank so Jordan can buy something when he gets home.  Monday evening we went out to Erik's setting apart, which was good.  Tuesday we got around, Jolley's took Jordan to lunch and then we gathered everyone and had one last family prayer.  I struggled offering the prayer, even though I know that serving a mission is the best thing Jordan can be doing at this point in his life.  It was really touching to see him saying his last goodbyes to Gary and Eileen, as well as the other aunts, uncles, and cousins.  As we drove off the emotions finally hit Jordan pretty hard.  The trip to Salt Lake was pretty good.  We spent Tuesday evening visiting with Grandma and Corey and Danielle.  Wednesday July 9th..Today was the day Elder Jordan Ence reported to the Provo MTC.  This was one of the hardest things I've had to do recently trying to be strong as everyone was feeling very emotional.  We went to breakfast at IHOP, but Jordan didn't really enjoy his meal like he usually do. After breakfast we spent some time on the grounds at the Provo Temple, saying our last goodbyes.  It was hard seeing each child give Jordan one last hug goodbye. Jansen had a very hard time, he is at that age where he is going through lots of changes and is very emotional.  We pulled into the MTC at 12:45 right on time. I got out and helped another missionary collect Jordan's suitcases, while Sunny was able to have one last nice hug, then it was my turn.  I will be honest I had a real hard time saying good-bye.  While fighting back all the tears I told him to be completely obedient and to have a great time.  Our time was short and then Elder Ence picked up his suitcase and marched off.  I had a great feeling as I watched him walk off very confident and excited to start his mission! Godspeed Elder Ence.  After the MTC we went back up to the temple and visited shortly with Brock Fenton and his sister and Dad.  We were also able to see Erik Mitchell and his family.  Wednesday night we spent some time swimming and then went up to Temple Square.  Thursday morning we woke up and took the kids to Hogle Zoo, it was ok, but not great. After the zoo we went back to Temple Square.  We took the tour on top of the Church Office Building as well as on top of the Conference Center.  After that we went to an open practice for the Utah Jazz.  The entire family even Sunny and Joslin enjoyed the evening watching the younger Jazz players. We were all excited they gave out free T-shirts promoting Dante Exum and Rodney Hood.  We even got a shirt for Jordan and sent it to him in a package.  On Friday Jansen and I went down to Provo and joined up with the kids at youth conference.  When we got there, the youth were just finishing up a service project and then we did an activity called object lessons.  Each member in the bishopric had to pull random objects out of a trash bag and then related them to the gospel.  It was kind of a fun game.  We spent the afternoon at Seven Peaks Water Park which was lots of fun.  I had fun going on the different slides with Jansen and also Bradley Creel.  After the water park we headed back out to where we were camping at Utah Lake State Park.  On the way back I decided to drive by the MTC and guess who was outside playing sand volleyball? Elder Ence!! I did not get his attention or distract him from his mission. Rather, Jansen and I and a few other deacons just parked for a short time and watched him having fun with his district. As we were leaving Jansen told me that last night in his prayers he had prayed that he could see Jordan one last time.  To me this was just one of the many tender mercies the Lord has given our family.  Jansen has really been having a hard time emotionally with Jordan leaving and I believe this was reassuring to him to see his older brother having a good experience with his new missionary friends.  Friday night at camp was good, and became somewhat eventful around 12:30 when a group of Rainbow people came and camped right next to us.  Bro. Christian and I stayed up until 3:00 am making sure everything was safe and secure, before we went to bed. Saturday we came home, which was good this week was starting to get a little long being away from home. Today, was pretty good, sacrament went good Silver Beatty, Sariah Beagley, Alli Farrar, and Wade Beatty spoke.  I stayed after and did the count and had to be back up at the church in the evening for a disciplinary council.  This was the second one I've been involved in and both have been spiritual experiences and have helped me better understand and appreciate the blessings of the atonement.

La Verkin Loop. I really need to get going with my training I think now that Jordan is gone things might start to slow down a bit. My weight has gone up the last few weeks, stress and poor eating habits. Also been struggling with a right knee injury trying to figure out what it is?

40 minutes on the exercise bike.

2 miles this evening with Sunny down to the cow field and back.

5 miles at noon today.  I ran down through Confluence Park and stopped and swam in the river for a bit.

2 miles this evening with Sunny.

Ran over to this high school and then out to 400 South then back via Pah Tempe.

La Verkin Loop and then 30 min on the exercise bike

Basketball.

4 mile run this morning, drove up to the Overlook Road and then did 4 miles out to the cracks and back.

20 minutes on the exercise bike.

Nice early morning run down the course with Mike, Bill, Cody, and Scott.  We did 10 miles from Mike's Gym PF 24/7 started at Diamond Valley. We kept the pace pretty much under control.  We did throw in a 2 mile tempo towards the end (5:57, 5:52) My knee actually felt pretty good once we got going.  I started a trial sample of supplements from the Stewarts yesterday, I'm also skeptical but I'll see what a week of this stuff does.

3 miles this evening gravel pit and back.

This week was pretty good.  Running wise I was able to hit 50 miles and felt pretty good with a longer run on Saturday with Bill, Mike, Cody, and Scott.  I also was able to drive a few students this week and also spent a lot of time helping Sunny paint furniture and move things around.  We moved Jansen and Jarren up into Jordan's room.  Joslin moved over to Jansen and Jarren's room, and lastly we moved Jordan's queen bed downstairs and created a guest room in Joslin's old room.  Things are starting to get put back together and all of the rooms look pretty good.  Tuesday night we didn't have bishopric, because bishop was out of town, so Bro. Christian did temple recommend interviews and then went to the combined activity.  We got a letter from Jordan on Thursday and he seems to be doing pretty good in the MTC.  Today was Payton's farewell.  Tonight we had General Priesthood meeting is was ok.  Kind of funny Jansen kept snuggling up to me during the meeting like he was wanting to fall asleep.

Basketball this morning, then did 5 miles easy over to Hurricane City Park and back.

6 miles out to Cholla Creek and then down through the subdivision and back on Hunter Road.  I didn't get out very early so it was really hot once I got out not good.

Substation Tempo 6 miles total

2 miles at tempo 12:28 (6:13 avg)

1-6:10 Had a hard time getting into any type of a rhythm.

2-6:17 More of the same, just a struggle.

Not much today 3 miles pushing Joslin in the stroller.  I had a partial massage with April.  It was great she found a big knot in my lateral quad muscle on my right leg.  She said this is what has most likely been causing all the knee pain.  I'm excited to see how the knee/leg responds this coming week.

Another busy week.  I spent quite a bit of time driving this past week which was good.  I'm really needing to make as much money as I can right now with Jordan on a mission.  Speaking of Jordan he is doing good in the MTC.  He was just made a zone leader along with his companion.  We received both an email and a hand written letter this week, which both were very positive.  We did good as a family this week reading our scriptures each night.  Tuesday night Sunny and I went with Jayce Housley to the temple.  It was a good session and I'm happy for him.   I feel bad that his parents are struggling with their marriage, hopefully things can work out for them. After the session Sunny and I went to Cafe Rio which was nice.  Wednesday morning Jansen and I went up to Springdale and helped set up chairs for the 24th celebration.  Thursday morning I met up with Bill and Scott and ran 8 miles, still having some knee issues. I got home in time to help Gary and Eileen at the free breakfast they were helping put on in conjunction with the 24th of July. Thursday night we took the kids of to Washington and watched the fireworks.  Also on the 24th I helped Jansen pick up all of the scout flags.  I think by the end of doing the flags we were both feeling a little frustrated with some of the other Deacons and the Scoutmaster for all being gone.  Friday I drove two different times.  Saturday morning was busy.  We had a baptism in the ward, but Bro. Ray Eves was gone so I had to fill the font and then conduct the baptism, it turned out pretty good.  Saturday evening Sunny and I went to dinner at Paula's we took Joslin also which made the dinner crazy.  Today, I was the only member of the bishopric at church.  Bishop was up North and Danny was sick.  Actually, things ran pretty smooth still it is much better when everyone is there.

5 miles this morning.  Ran down past Pah Tempe and then up the river for about 2 miles and then back.  I felt ok today, leg seems to be feeling a little better still some soreness from the massage.

3 miles this evening La Verkin Loop.

5 miles down through Confluence felt pretty good.

20 minutes in the bike.

4 miles this morning over to the real estate sign and back.

3 miles this afternoon pushing Joslin, did La Verkin Loop

Drove up to the start of the road going up to the "H" ran up the road 2.5 miles and then came back down, no energy this morning.