Karen's Baptism

Karen June Schultz was baptized today. It was fun because I had to try to get her under the water over a dozen times. We finally got one Elder to get in the water with me. She was scared of water and the two of us were able to get it done on our fourth try. That meant that it took approximately 20 tries.

Work, Work, Work!

Dad is so strong.
Aaron tried to pick up the stump, it was funny to hear him grunt, but he did not get it off the ground.
Mom is working so hard!
Dad is pulling the van, ha ha :-)
He is so strong!
Made it to the top.

finally posting

Patrick and Ella at our house.

We are finally posted!!!! Not a lot has happened since then but what did happen has been fun. We had John Patrick and Ella over and they were a lot of fun. Anita went to high adventure and Girls Camp. Aaron had fun at his camp at camp oar!!! Tess wants to come back down but Ivy does not like us for taking her from her mom. (Mama's girl) It is quit around the house because there is only 2 left here. Aaron is going to be a senior and Anita is going to be a sophomore, they are growing up so fast!!! Sandra is doing really well, and wants more letters. Isaac is learning more and more each day, he is now one of the old missionaries at the MTC. We need to ask him if he still has hair!! (ha ha ha)

Hermana Grindstaff is Gone

I tried to capture this last look of Hermana Grindstaff

Today we took Hermana Grindstaff to the airport. It was a sad yet happy ordeal. Hermana Grindstaff is on her way to the Argentina MTC. She should be there at about 4:00am Jasper time. We woke up and ate. Then we had to go to Wal-mart to get luggage tags (her suitcases didn't have any). We got treats and were on our way. We only stopped once in Livingston to get bread from the discount bread store. Hermana Grindstaff was in the mood for whole wheat bread. Anyway we made it to the airport and took some pictures and saw her off. She only cried a little. I almost did, but I held it in Mom and Dad were not as good (I cried last night before bed and no doubt will tonight. I have lost my late night reading buddy for 2 years). It was very sad and exciting at the same time.

Ready to leave Jasper

The Elevator
We are all in a hurry to get there

Sad to leave
Mom got to take this picture so I put another one with her and Hermana Grinstaff

Hermana Grindstaff (It's official)

Sandra got set apart today at 6:30 pm. At four we all went to Golden Corral. We all got stuffed and made the trip to Silsbee by way of Wal-Mart (She had to pick up her pictures). We arrived in Silsbee half an hour early. We took some pictures until President Bodie came to let us in and set Sandra apart as a missionary. So, Sandra is now Hermana Grindstaff. Since she is now a missionary she is having me (Isaac) update the blog.

Hermana Grindstaff has her green Shirt on for St. Patricks Day

Mom and Hermana Grindstaff

Aaron, Anita, Sandra, and Me

(This is Before Sandra was set apart)

Mom, Dad, and Sandra


Also this past Sunday we had Sandra's fare well. The whole family (At least those who live in Texas) came. It was awsome, and lots of fun. We made all the food Saturday and ate it after church on Sunday. Sandra was also able to speak on how to build our spiritual arks.

mission addresses

Sandra’s Mission Addresses

March 19- sometime in May (2009)

Sandra Grindstaff
Argentina MTC
Bonpland 2349/55
(C1425 FEW) Buenos Aires
Argentina



May 2009- end of mission

Sister Sandra Grindstaff
Uruguay Montevideo Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA

Note: this second address is through the pouch system. They ask that only postcards and letters that are single sheet, folded into three-panels, and taped at the top, may be sent through the pouch system. Through this system you only need to use regular stamps because it is being sent to Salt Lake and they carry it to me from there.
Also, on www.dearelder.com they have a place where you can type letters and they will send it through the pouch system for free (as I understand it), but this will only work once I am our in the mission (and not in the MTC) because the Buenos Aires MTC mail doesn’t run through the pouch.

Packages (yeah, I know this one won’t be used often, but I thought I’d add it anyway)

Sister Sandra Grindstaff
Uruguay Montevideo Mission
Horacio Quiroga 6350
Carrasco
11500 Montevideo
Uruguay

It's finally time!

I have been waiting for this time to come for a long time now. It is finally time for me to leave on the mission I've been so excited about for the past year now (well, I've probably been looking forward to it for longer than that actually).Preparing to serve a mission has been quite the process, but it was worth it. It was worth all the times I've had to be (ruthlessly) stabbed by a needle. It was worth all the hours spent searching (and stressing about) finding the proper clothing (I spent hours and hours searching stores and coming out with nothing. I've never disliked shopping so much in my life!)....(and thanks to all those who so kindly spent hours of their own time to help in that agonizing effort). It was worth all the studying (which I have not been as diligent about as I should have been). It was worth all the hours spent scanning groceries (to help pay for the mission). Yes, it was ALL worth it!I received my mission call (for those who don't know, it's a big white envelope that comes in the mail) on the 28th of November 2008. As soon as my older brother (Scott) walked in the house after checking the mail and started talking about the mission call envelope, that I'd been anxiously waiting for, my heart started beating extremely fast. I couldn't stop smiling and it was even better that I got to share my excitement with most of my family (who were still there the day after Thanksgiving). It was on this day that I learned that I would be serving for 18 months in the Uruguay Montevideo mission.This coming Sunday will be my, uh, last Sunday here in Texas (okay...it's my farewell). It should be fun. :)

-Sandra

New Blog

We have started a new blog. It is titled "Grindstaff Missionaries" and will be used to post the e-mails sent by both me and Isaac while we are on our missions. Our sister-in-law (Emily) will be updating it weekly with the new e-mails, so feel free to read them.

Isaac got his mission call to... SWEDEN!

Isaac talking on the phone to all the family members that weren't able to be present while he opened the call.

Isaac opening the call. (about 9:00 pm)

Isaac right after he discovered the mission call in the mailbox (about 11:30 am)

I'm sorry the pictures are all out of order.

Later I will upload the video of him actually opening the call.

January 24th

Sister missionary dolls. :)

Now we are waiting for Isaac to receive his mission call. It should be here anytime now. Feel free to try and guess where he's going.