Saying Goodby to Grandpa and Darla

Grandpa spent his first day of retirement taking the kids bowling. It was the first time for several of the children because we haven't gone bowling here. I honestly couldn't remember why we hadn't just taken the kids bowling...until Reid told us how much it cost. Let's just say "Private Equity Bowlero Ruining Bowling" isn't a sensational title. I was fully expecting the fees to be around $5 per person per game...maybe even $10 (it's been a while since we've been bowling). I was not expecting round $30 per person—talk about exorbitant! 

But the kids had fun. 

And we remembered why we have never gone bowling here. 

Miriam finished with her finals on Wednesday, so she was available to go bowling with everyone. I asked her to be my photographer (Andrew and I stayed home to work). 

Here's Benjamin:

Zoë:

Alexander (the poor little guy could hardly lift the ball):

And Phoebe, who used both gutter rails and this little ball ramp:

And here's everyone posing...somewhere (they're looking kind of sweaty so I assume this picture happened after the park):

It was a full Grandpa Day, and with good reason: Grandpa is leaving for Utah tomorrow (and Darla will fly out about a week later). So today after Miriam got back from taking the ACT, we drove up to Grandpa and Darla's house to have one last BBQ (that's "barbie" in Australian), play some games, and say goodbye. 

Here we are getting a game of Swoop started:

And here's Miriam and Grandpa sorting cards afterwards (Miriam is driving out to Utah with Grandpa—they're going to have fun together, I can tell. Miriam is already cracking up over Grandpa's jokes):

Here we are saying goodby to Grandpa and Darla for 18 months (or so):

The kids wanted to take a funny picture more than anything and immediately went into full goofball mode when they were given permission by our photographer (Sam, one of Darla's daughters who is here visiting from California):

Benjamin very nearly pulled me off balance and into the bushes, but we survived to tell the tale. It looks like a few more of us also lost their balance during silly time. Silly us.

I honestly can't remember if I ever explained where Grandpa and Darla are going on their mission. 

My brain feels like it's about ready to explode. So bear with me. 

Grandpa and Darla were first called to the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, with details on the exact location to be determined (TBD, or as Rachel might say, TBA: To Be Atermined). 

They got word in January, I believe, that they would be going to serve as volunteers (not missionaries, per se) in Amman, Jordan. 

We were very excited for them. We love Jordan!

And then...the whole conflict with Iran began and a great shuffling of church volunteers in the MENA region, getting some out of pressing danger, filling gaps here and there...and rather playing it by ear while bombs were (are?) dropping. So, long story short, the slot in Jordan got filled by volunteers evacuating from other places. 

So Grandpa and Darla were reassigned to the UAE somewhere. 

But that's been on hold for a while since...you know...everything that's going on with Iran right now.

Since they've already rented out their house for the duration of their mission, they still needed to start their mission on the previously-established timeline. So they'll be serving at headquarters in SLC for a while...and the rest of their mission will be a surprise!