Missionaries Again

Gary & I were asked to serve another mission at the cannery. We have just completely our fifth year as Missionaries at the Lindon Cannery and were looking forward to some quiet time. That soon changed when we were called in again and asked to return for another 30 month Mission. After praying we decided we wouldn't know what to do with quiet time anyway so we said "Of Course".

We have been at the cannery a lot lately because of Peaches. when peaches are ready we are all ready. Peaches don't keep, so we work and work and work. There are times when I have decided that I absolutely Hate Peaches, but then I repent and know that without us many people would not have fruit to eat. We do all the Peaches for the whole church, so you can tell how many there must be!

It has been a long Hot Summer. I signed Brayden up for swimming lessons at the pool and he has done amazingly well. He loves the water and jumps in without any hesitation. He loves going and learning. He can float and swim from side to side. He always has tons of friends and loves being there with them. He is a happy little guy and enjoys life.

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS

Brayden loves Thomas the Engine. Since he was little he has always loved Thomas. So when Day out with Thomas came to Utah Papa and I decided it was time for Brayden to meet Thomas.

I was not expecting to see that every other kid in Utah also wanted to meet Thomas. The lines were long but... Brayden didn't care. He was ready to have tons of fun. He ran from place to place having the time of his life. But getting on Thomas and actually taking a ride was the hight light of the day.

Brayden with Sir Topenhat
With tickets in hand he found his seat on Thomas
Standing out side waiting his turn to get on Thomas
Papa and Brayden with Thomas the Engine
A long fun day and a very tired little boy

Panama Cruise

Its been way too long since I last posted. Life is very busy. As Missionaries Gary and I are extremely busy. We are scheduled to work 4 days a week, but subbing is helpful to those that have problems. We work our shifts on different days so that one of us will always be able to watch Brayden. So getting a free day is a luxury. But we love our Mission and helping others to have the needed food is so important to the church Humanitarian efforts.




Last month we were able to take a couple of weeks off when the cannery wasn't producing and take a cruise through the Panaman Canal. It was quite an experience and one that we really enjoyed. We were able to go with our good friends from San Diego, Mike and Lanee Barajas. The ship stopped at several ports of call, including, Accoppco Mexico, Costa Rico, Panama, Colombia and the Cayman Islands. It was nice to have time to just relax and rest. We both really enjoyed the day it took to travel through the Canal. The Canal has 6 locks, 3 on each side and a large lake in the middle. It took 11 hours to go all the way through from the Pacific to the Altantic Oceans. It was very nice not having to make my own bed or cook our food. But of course it was also very nice to get home.

Cruisin, New England Style

September was very busy, but very fun! Gary and I headed for St. George, Utah. We love to go down there and watch the wonderful plays they put on at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. The stage is outside with the Red Hills of Southern Utah as the background. As the sun goes down the play begins. This year we saw Aida and Footloose. The productions were both spectacular. They hire professionals for the lead roles but everyone in the plays are so terrific its hard to tell who is the professionals. Its our three day get away, and we love it!

This year we had to hurry home because the next day we left on our cruise to see the Fall Colors. We went with our very good friends, Mike and Lanee Barajas from San Diego. It was one of the best cruises we have been on because we were with good friends and the cruise was relaxing. That is the only reason we decided to go. My health has not been very good this year so we needed some time to sit back and just relax. We left from New York City and stopped at Boston and Maine and then into Canada. In Boston we were able to see Allen & Beckki and have dinner with them. In New York we did all the sights including the 9/11 memorial. Since we hadn't seen that before, it was a very moving experience. Maine is beautiful, with all it's light houses and scenic coastal views, and of course Canada was quite lovely. The leaves were changing into brilliant hues of purple, gold, greens and reds. The quaint houses and farms were very enjoyable as were all the light houses. I would love to go back sometime.

A Month of Reflection

August has been a better month. I am beginning to feel better although not all days are good.The cannery is open again and I have gone to work some. They are very nice to me. If I'm not able to last the whole time they make me go home. I love being a Missionary and helping people learn more about the wonderful opportunities the gospel can bring into our lives. The Mormon Church is always the first to give help when it is needed. All of the Welfare items we can are sent to needy people all over the world. If there is a disaster, we are the first responders. Its wonderful to know that in some small way we are doing our part to help others in need.

August is also Education Week at BYU. I love Education Week. Gary and I have been going for years now. Long before we moved here to Utah. It has become our special week of togetherness and spiritual growth. Time set aside not only to renew our love for each other but to expand our spiritual grow and love for the Savior. Usually we see friends from home, but this year we only saw a few. Maybe because of the economy. But we enjoyed the classes and the wonderful speakers. Hopefully we will be able to remember what we have learned. I am also hopeful that I will continue to feel better and the Pancreatitis will also get better.

Rest & Relaxation in San Diego

Gary and I decided it was time for some rest now that the Reunion was over, so we headed back home to San Diego. The weather was lovely only in the mid 70's, which is terrific for thr 4th of July. We stayed with my sister Diane and her husband David, who is a Chiropractor. While I was there he adjusted me several times a day and put me on some vitamins and a green drink and checked my PH levels, which were very low. That wasn't good, so he helped me get them higher, which should help me fight the bacteria that has been causing me so much pain in my stomach. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the answer to all my Pancreas pain.

HOLLINGSHEAD FAMILY REUNION 2009

After 3 years of planing it was finally time for the reunion. I decided Cherry Hill Water Park would be a great place for a reunion. Kids could play on the water slides & climb the rock wall or do the batting cages while the rest of us visited. After a delicious breakfast of Biscuits and Gravy with orange juice, moms & dads went swimming with the kids while grandma's and grandpa's rested, talked and snacked. It was so much fun!!

Family kept arriving throughout the day, some from Arizona others from California and the majority from Utah. We counted about 80 Hollingshead Family members who came. We talked and laughed and reminisced about the fun times we had when Grandma and Grandpa Hollingshead were alive and we were all just little kids. We had so much fun as cousins playing at grandma's house. The good old days. That's what we all wanted for our kids, but the family is getting bigger now and its hard to juggle that many schedules. But, we had lots there and it was fun just being together and talking about all memories and our own ailments & hurts.

After lunch we had a watermelon break and crafts and painting for the kids. Then lots of kids and some of us big kids decided to head back to the swimming slides. Oh, so much fun.

Some did crafts and other just kept right on having fun while others fell over totally exhausted from so much fun!


Dinner was terrific. We had chicken, pizza and all kinds of sides to round out the meal PLUS wonderful desserts. Did I mention desserts? That was the best part of the meal especially for all the kids. When we got done not a cookie or brownie was left!

All in all it was a super day. Cousins made many new friends and memories that won't be forgotten.

The evening was spent in a fun way of games, getting to know you, talents and a special tribute to our cute little Aunt Elaine. All of her children were there and each gave a special memory of her. Her health is not too good and we were disappointed when she couldn't be with us to celebrate her life.

We ended with a very fun auction to raise money to have more reunions.