Anziano Koozer at the MTC

It was snowing and cold in Provo as we prepared to leave Buddy at the MTC. We spent the morning with him doing sealings in the Provo Temple. Because of the storm outside and the warmth of the spirit at the Temple, we choose to stay there for lunch. We went straight down the hill to the MTC where things were run like clock work. They tell you exactly where to park, walk, drop off luggage, take pictures, which door which person goes into and they have kleenex sitting out everywhere and people directing you down each hallway. Complete order- like they have done this a few times. It really invited the spirit and made what could be and should be very hard, a bit more comforting.

MTC Address for Elder Koozer until June 2, 2009

This is the official address of Elder Koozer. This is the one they handed us when we dropped him off. That was a crazy experience. We were so excited and happy for him and at the same time it was so hard to let him go. I started crying when they sat us down right in front of the sign that said, "Families Exit Here"....everyone had told me about that sign and now I had to look at it the whole time. We sang "Called to Serve" and Hal and I cried. Buddy sang and just looked straight ahead. After a short meeting about where they would need to be later in the day, they told us to hug our missionaries and it was best to treat it like a band aide and do it quick. I kept sending Buddy to hug his Dad one more time and he would turn back around to go and I would hug him again. He finally caught on to my tactics and said, "Mom, I've got to go!" I let him go and watched him push his way through the crowd to the "Missionaries Exit Here" sign. He did not look back. He was focused just like he was when he was going out to play a big game. I also think he did not want to cry. I love him and miss him, but the spirit is strong and I know helping me through this.

Elder Charl Ron Koozer
MTC Mailbox #223
ITA-ROM 0602
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Buddy's first e-mail from the MTC 4-7-09

Hey Everyone!So ive survived week one of the MTC! This has been such an amazing week. Im in classes all day long which has been a big adjustment. But the spirt is so strong every where we go. I love my new companion and the othe elders in my room. I can already pray, and bear my testomy in Italian, and we have already taught the first discussion. I have a really fun district, and my teachers are great. Its going to be kinda weird getting use to this computer thing, my companion is actuly typing this letter, haha ya. Next week ill try to download some pictures, cause im running out of time. But i love you all and hope everything is going well. Anziano Koozer

Elder Koozer's Mission address

Thanks again to every one who has helped us to get to this point. We are grateful for all our friends and family for the support in every way. We had a wonderful gathering last Sunday for Buddy's Farewell. We will never forget the crowd we stuffed into this Maricopa house!
We will be taking Buddy to the MTC in Provo on Tuesday Morning. He will check in on Wednesday at Noon. He will be in the MTC for nine weeks. This is his address there and I'm sure he would love to hear from everyone during his stay:

Elder Charl Ron Koozer
Italy Rome Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604


There is a great and easy way to send things to missionaries in the MTC.
Check out dearelder.com!

Get well Soon Taylor

Our sweet Taylor (one of my young women who is also in Hal's seminary class) was in a bad car accident this week with her brother,Cameron. They were on their way to school on Monday when it happened. They were both life flighted out to two different hospitals. They have been through some rough and scary days as we have been watching and waiting to see small improvements each day now. Cameron is home with some broken vertebra, and Taylor is still in the hospital with a broken pelvis and some other complications. They were really worried about her because she did not respond the whole first day after the accident. I did get to run up to see her Tuesday morning, and she hugged me and Hal, and quietly told us of her memory of the accident. A very spiritual experience that I am sure will give her the strength to endure this trial she will now face as she will have to take the time to recover. We want to wish her and Cameron a speedy recovery and send them all our love. We are here for you! I know all the girls in ward are fasting and praying for you and your family at this time. Good luck!

These are some cute pictures I had of Taylor and Jen and Madison when they came to my house to make this great cake for a YW recognition night. We had a lot of fun!

Happy Birthday Jolene!

Happy Birthday Jolene!

This is Jolene George. Since the first day that I moved out here to Maricopa,
she has been amazing. She calls me her best friend and I really needed one. I have always
been very close to my sisters - and I still am - but when I moved further away then I have ever been
from any of them....I was feeling lonely. Knowing she would include me with her circle of friends so willingly was so kind. Then when I realized how thoughtful and kind she is, I am so proud to call her my best friend. We have had a blast the past several months. Our families have so much fun together. Jolene and I work out together, we go walking (she even puts up with me taking big Louie - our great dane). Our kids are in sports together, so we get to hang out and cheer and take pictures. We help each other with events at church and when our husbands are around, we are usually laughing continually. Jolene is so organized and crafty. She is so talented and caring. She is also fun and spontaneous. We can call them at any time of day and make instant plans for dinner or a trip into town or a FHE. I just can't say enough good about her and her family. She makes me happy and I want to wish her a very Happy Birthday!

Kevin's Fan Club

We all had a great time at the game. So much family and fun!

Phoebe and Baby Ruth

Family at Kevin's Game

Birthday Memories '09

A night made for a couple of princesses, and a lot of other crazy family!(whom I could never live without!)

Birthday celebration in New Mexico. An all night drive to Sarah's house with all my crazy sisters, my nephew Josh and we met my brother there too.

All these smiles are just proof of all the fun shared at mine and Sarah's birthday celebration!

Birthday

Christmas 08 in Mexico

There might have been a little monkeyin' around...but for the most part, we all worked hard.

Buddy and Daniel's first lesson on laying block. Then we had to build the house.

We had to move alot of block around for the guys who were laying it.

Hal was always concerned that it was not straight! (and he was right)

The kids had to keep turning the mud and keeping these boards full for the block layers.

Dane actually got to try laying block. No one in America would let kids on their work site - let alone give them a tool...the kids learned a lot and can really appreciate the hard work and talent that goes into building a home.

Cade filled bucket after bucket for most of the day. He is such a hard worker.

Christmas 08 in Mexico was amazing. We were not sure what expect, but our plans were to not give our kids any gifts this year and instead take them to Mexico to help build homes for the homeless members of the church in Mexico. When we went to church on Sunday at the branch, there must have been 150 visitors that had come to work on the same week from Utah and Arizona. They asked if Dane and a couple other boys who were with us could pass the sacrament. We were happy to help. The boys had a hard time keeping track of where to start and continue after they had to keep getting new trays of water. After the meeting the boys told us that they were reusing the sacrament cups each time they brought the trays back for more water. It really made us realize that helping to build these homes were no small thing. These sweet people could not even afford extra sacrament cups, let alone a home. Our efforts along with all the building materials were all donated. I'm not sure how it was all done, but I know Ralph Pew heads it up through his company. They have spent many years building several homes in the area. All they ask of the members is that they help build the next one.

Well it was not hard to enjoy the holidays in this beachfront property. What made it even more enjoyable was the company. Curt and Alison Brown and family, the Cowley's, and the Allen's. With our family, there were about 40 of us that shared this house. It was huge and beautiful. When we were not playing on our own beach or deep sea fishing, we spent our time building homes for some local LDS families.