travelenvelope

See the World for Free

The idea here is to TRAVEL THE WORLD regardless of time or budget. It dawned on me one day that even if I had unlimited time and money (which I definitley do not), I still couldn't see everything in the world that I'd like to see--I'm simply not going to live long enough to do it.

But I had a bit of brain wave and soon after the travel envelope was born. This is an actual physical envelope. I typed the name of every country in the world, plus every state in the US on little slips of paper which I then put into the envelope. In the beginning we (myself, my husband, Dave and daugher Catherine) would draw out a slip at random at the beginning of the month and that's where we would go---at least in our minds. We grab some books about the country from the library and put them in our bathroom to look at. We also check out some videos about the country if any. We check it out on googleearth, listen to the music, try the food, maybe even attempt to learn a dance or celebrate a festival.

After the first two years we discovered that even virtual traveling can be tiring, so we travel now whenever I happen to be in the mood.

It's great fun. I especially love it when people I meet have been to the place I'm "visiting" in real life, or get excited and have some virtual adventures of their own. I hope that anyone who comes across this blog will feel welcome to come with us on the trip!

You have a standing reservation to see it all!

Jun 21, 2013

California Riverside Mission

Our hearts will be in California for the next 17 1/2 months, because Catherine is there serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her first area is Corona and she arrived there in early June of 2013. After careful study of a map, we've determined that we've never been there. Driving from Utah to Disneyland or to Grandma's we've always skirted around Corona. So far, I've learned two facts. 1. Corona used to be the lemon capitol of the world and 2. it still holds the record for having lost the most time capsules of any city. I have no idea who is burying these capsules---the city? But they have lost 17 capsules so far. Oooops. At the moment Catherine is staying with a family in a nice part of town. I wonder if she should dig up their back yard?

Wish my house looked this good!! The trailer I lived in in my first area on my mission certainly didn't!

Sister Tucker and Catherine.

Catherine and Sister Tucker with corn from Juan the corn guy.

Love my girl!!!

A bit of an obesity problem in the stake perhaps?

CALIFORNIA REDLANDS MISSION!!

On June 17, 2013 the California Riverside Mission split into two missions and Catherine was sent to the new mission, which is the California. She's in Yucaipa with Sister Gonzalez, her MTC companion. That's unusual because both of them are still new--not out quite 2 months yet. They're the first sisters this area has ever had. Yucaipa looks beautiful and has this interesting fact. In 1991 the Rugrats (cartoon series) featured the character Didi going to work at Yucaipa High.

One of the first people Catherine met was Mike White, little brother of one of my best friends!

Missionaries always love letters, feel free to write to Catherine anytime at:

Sister Catherine Byrd

California Redlands Mission Office

7000 Central Ave.

Highland, CA 92346

July

Oh our poor girl!!! The first thing she did in the MTC was to catch cold. The next thing was was to feel sick to her stomach. This persisted and persisted and persisted. She was finally able to see a specialist--who took a look and sent her straight to the ER. The next day her gall-bladder was GONE!!

I love this picture! I think the name tag on the gown is priceless. The one good thing here is that at least we got to call her and have a nice long talk. She says she's feeling better, and I believe her because she's now in a prank war with the elders.

I don't know who started it but the elders did send the sisters this letter:

Pretty convincing, I think. The elders fully deserved the pickup of fish the sisters gave them.

Fish in the pick up truck--hiding to see what their reaction will be.

Enjoying Oreo's on her car, She's feeling better.

Pictures from Yucaipa, August 2013, with Catherine's subtitles:

Archery at TJ's he's a member of first ward who lives way up in the mountains and has all sorts of fun stuff for missionaries to play with :)

Sisters Ferry and Magley made me and Sister Gonzalez breakfast for our 3 month mark...with vegan bacon. it was gross. but everything else was good