Luckily, Jill's graduation was right at the end of Canadian tax season. The days before I left, we were trying to get everyone's tax returns finished by the deadline, but I was also trying to get things ready because I would have to quarantine for 14 days after I got back and just work from home.
On Thursday morning, I was already feeling some anxiety about getting everything done and crossing the border and everything. Then I get a text from Jill - Larsen didn't pass his final and didn't pass the class. He was short by 1.6%. They contacted the professor and the advisor and the department head and the professor. Please let him retake the test. Nothing. So stressful and disappointing. Luckily Larsen could still walk at graduation. They will get through it, and he can retake the class this summer, but disappointing and frustrating on so many levels, definitely including that Larsen could have put more effort into the class.
Anyway, my travel to Montana went well and I did a little bit of shopping in Great Falls. The hotel I picked was a really good price, but it was a bit sketchy. Then all night I could hear people, trains, and other equipment working. But I saved $40, right. Then I flew from Great Falls to Las Vegas, and the people on the flight started drinking and so the flight got louder and louder. Then Jill and Larsen came to pick me up, which I appreciated since it is 3 hours from their house.
During the flight, I was listening to a podcast that Jeanette was on, and the interviewer asked her to tell about a moment in time that is simple but that brings her joy. She told about when she picks up Lola from school, as soon as Lola sees her mom, her face lights up and she comes running. That was a turning point in my trip to calm my nerves and remind me why I was going - to be with Jill. Then I sat there and cried for a while as Jill's life played through my mind. One good thing about wearing a mask is that people can't tell you are crying.
When we got back to Panguitch, we went to meet Larsen & Jill's colt, Ella. She is a cute little horse that likes to chew her mom, Charlie's, tail and mane. Then we ate at the Cowboy's Smokehouse for dinner, the restaurant the Perkins own, where Jill and Larsen work. The food was delicious.
Saturday was graduation (see other post).
On Sunday, I got to go to church with Jill and Larsen. Their fast and testimony meeting was excellent, as they were having a stake fast for moisture and to improve their Come, Follow Me study in their homes. I was also so thankful to sing in church. Alberta hasn't let us sing in church because it will spread covid - even with masks on, we still can't sing. Then we also had Sunday School in person, which we haven't had two hour church yet either. Jill and Larsen teach youth Sunday School, but I stayed in the adult class. It was hopeful that things can return to normal after the pandemic, but also frustrating that Alberta just entered another lockdown because of rising covid cases.
After church, Larsen cooked a delicious dinner of porkchops with mango salsa. Yummy.
Then we started back toward Las Vegas. We stopped and drove up Kolob Canyon, which is part of Zion National Park. It was so pretty and we went on a little walk to a lookout point. I love nature.
Then we headed to Las Vegas and stayed at a hotel by the airport since I had to be at the airport by 5:45 am. It was so fun to be with Jill and Larsen for the weekend, and I am so thankful they have worked and worked to get their education.
My flight back to Great Falls was very quiet. Everyone slept on the plane. I did a little more shopping in Great Falls since shopping is always better in America. It was Hanna's P-Day so she came shopping with me to JCPenney and North 40 on video call. I do think we were blessed with a tender mercy that one of the western stores had a set of pole bending bases. Our friends, Rick & Kris Olsen, had let us borrow theirs for several years, but they wanted them back and came and got them this week. They are not easy to find, but luckily I found a set in Great Falls. (Plus I paid $180 and Austin had found a set in Canada that were going to cost $600, so we were thankful they had a set in stock).
I had to stop in Shelby, Montana to get a covid test. They are set up to test Canadians who need a covid test to get across the border. They were so friendly, and Dr. Ham gave me a whole explanation about covid as a virus and that vitamin D & C and hydro(something) can help treat it. I really liked him.
Everything went smoothly at the border, especially since I had done my homework and had everything ready and had submitted my quarantine plan through the ArriveCan app. Then I took another covid test at the border and headed home to my 14-day quarantine.
The day I came home, Lucy got notified that one of her teachers had tested positive for covid and so Lucy had to quarantine for 10 days (it had been 4 since was exposed). So I wasn't lonely in my days at home. She did online school and I did online work. She had to miss the Nanton high school rodeo. Then they announced that Alberta was going into another lockdown and that all schools would return on to online learning for 2 weeks. So then we had Carly home with us too. Lucy's time ended on Thursday, so she got to go to a friend party on Thursday night, a first aid class for her job on Friday, and then to the rodeo in High River on Saturday.
My friends were so thoughtful to bring me quarantine food. Erica Burt brought me a bag of fruit. Barb Salmon brought a box of Dairy Cream ice cream sandwiches (I can only eat the ice cream part), Jewel Hardy brought tortellini soup, banana bread sourdough bread, wheat bread and cesar salad (of course Jewel went all out), and Tammy Sommerfeldt brought brownies. Martha Nunn and Michelle Murray brought me flowers. Our ministering brother, Brother Walburger, also brought a box of Timbits for Mother's Day.
Austin had to be the chauffer, errand runner, and grocery shopper since Lucy and I couldn't do it. He probably hasn't been to the grocery store since last summer when I was in quarantine. And he has only been to the post office to check our mail one other time since we have lived in Canada.
Thank goodness for freedom again!!!
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