Two dear friends of mine who used to live near us in Georgia, Tami Marsh and Shelley Lesley, met Timothy and his companion for lunch.  They were his secret guardian angels while he has been in California!

A wonderful Laotian woman for whom I will always have such gratitude in my heart for, Mae Bhok.  She has taken such good care of Timothy!

This was taken at the baptism of very interesting woman named Sheri that Timothy had the honor of teaching the Gospel to.  Third from left is President Lewis, Timothy's mission president, and the man who is on the far left is Elder Whitney Clayton of the Seventy.
 

It was almost two years ago that Timothy stood outside of the Salt Lake Temple on his way to check in for his mission at the MTC in Provo.  The time is slipping by, much to his dismay.  When the day comes, I wonder if he will actually leave the mission he loves so much!

MTC celebrates 50th anniversary - ksl.com

MTC celebrates 50th anniversary - ksl.com

Timothy with President and Sister Jardine. One of my most favorite pictures!

My Laotian Sister

This is a picture of Mae ("Mama") Bhok, a wonderful LDS woman who has taken care of my son as if he were family. It is customary for the Laotian women to give each of the new missionaries their Laotian "name". Mae Bhok, upon meeting Timothy his first week in Sacramento, named him "Beautiful Lily". I won't attempt to put the Laotian words here. She called me on Thanksgiving to let me know that she had fed him (one of my worries), and then again on Christmas day! In the picture with her are her grandchildren that she is raising, Joseph and Princess.

This is the picture Timothy used for his Christmas card, 2010. In the center of the group is a Laotian woman who had just been baptized. She was the first Lao who had entered the waters of baptism in over a year. This explains why Elder Forrester and Elder Pelfrey are glowing!

Timothy left the Missionary Training Center the first week of September and began his training in the mission field with his experienced trainer, Elder Alter. Here they are with a Laotian lady they were teaching.

A Miracle For Me At The MTC!

While Timothy was in Provo for training, I found out from a distant cousin that she had a nephew who had also entered the MTC to learn Spanish for his mission in Boston. My cousin, Kim Bowen, is related to me on my mom's side of the family. Interestingly, Kim and I have never met. We began writing to each other many years ago when she was a teenager who was seeking help in researching her family tree. We have kept in touch on and off over the years, and now found ourselves with missionaries at the same facility at the same time! It was not easy feat for them to find each other, but I prayed fervently and it happened! This is a picture of these Elder Cousins....can you see the family resemblance?

While at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, Timothy's companion was Elder Brandon Pelfrey. Elder Pelfrey is his companion now as they serve in South Sacramento, Florin Ward.

Timothy with Tyler and Trey as we wait for his flight to leave Chattanooga on June 23, 2010.

Waiting for THE CALL to come!

After nineteen plus years, the day finally came on June 23, 2010 for Timothy to enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Here, he is learning the Laotian and Thai languages along with his study of the scriptures. He will remain there for approximately three months, and then move to Sacramento California to serve there. His days begin at 6:00 a.m., and go until 10:00 p.m. Along with all of the study, he is fed well, and also they are given time each day for physical activity.