Safe Trip and Internet!

If anyone needs help with their internet, I am now a pro! I just learned that a "modem" is the thing that plugs into your phone jack to give you internet, and without it, a "router," which gives you cordless internet, is no good. Also, there is this box thing, called a "splitter," that plugs into somewhere to keep your phone line from being static-y. Once I acquire these items, I can stop puzzling over my neighbor’s password for their encrypted wireless network, which pops up every time I try to get online. I also learned how to get locked out of my school network, which shows my schedule, homework assignments, and all school-related email. Thanks to the IT guys, I was able to get my home internet set up and now know what an "ethernet cable" is.

Praise the Lord for safe travels! I had a great time with my friend in Fort Worth, and arrived at the Missionary Training Center in Roach without any problems, in spite of the huge rainstorm on the way. It was wonderful to see such a lot of rain after so long in sunny San Antonio! In Fort Worth I was able to see Michelangelo’s first painting, the Torment of St. Anthony, at the Kimbel Art Museum. He was 12 or 13 when he painted it, and I can see why he chose that particular subject. I can just imagine a twelve-year-old boy enjoying thinking up all those ugly demons. I also saw how artistic my Assyrian ancestors were in a wall engraving and got to appreciate the fact that my head and limbs are still attached.

 Christine and I raced through the maze at the Stockyards, and we saw a genuine cattle drive down the main street.

The Japanese Gardens were gorgeous, even in the 107-degree weather and we couldn’t resist doing kung-fu poses on the yin-yang stage.

The water gardens were a slight disappointment as there was no water running due to the drought, but we made the most of it by cooling off at Jamba Juice.

Thank you Naganos for your hospitality!

Since being at MTC, I have successfully raided the mission barrel, the free food pantry, the kitchen-ware closet, and the furniture barn. I love free stuff! Wal-mart is the next stop, so I can pick up some cleaning supplies and something that I can eat as an actual meal. Living on my own is more complicated than I thought! Thankfully, my wonderful hostess, Ronda, fed me a few times, so I wouldn’t starve before I got to Wal-Mart.

My aunt and uncle and cousin, Sarah, came to see me and we had our first meal in my house! I had a great time with them and am so glad I got to see my cousin before she heads to Peru!