So I went to California last weekend with Josh and his friend, Jake Anderson (not to be confused with MY Jake). Josh came to us a couple of months ago and presented a plan for him and friend Jake to go to CA to swim for the summer. They wanted to swim with Arden Hills, a team they have competed against several times during their swim trips to CA with their local club over the last couple of years. The Arden Hills team always made a really good showing at the meets, and Josh and Jake wanted to go and train with them so they could get to be that fast.
They had to find a host family and, truth be known, who would want a couple of teen-aged boys living with them over the summer? They weren't going for 1 or 2 weeks, but 7 weeks? Who would do that? They had a horrible time finding anything--Josh called Bishops in the area and they even tried to line something up in the Palo Alto area. Finally, less than a week before leaving, Uncle Charlie, Dad's brother, asked his wife's aunt if Josh and Jake could stay with them. They live in the Sacramento area--40 minutes from the club (like driving to Provo every day), but still kind of in the vicinity. Josh was so happy and so grateful. The drawback, though? They could only stay 10 days. I think that's a huge leap of faith and goodwill for Aunt Nancy and her husband (also Uncle Charlie, a different one). So Josh called them and set it up and they were ready to go.
Saturday morning came and they were all loaded up--yep, packed like girls, both of them. They had LOTS of stuff. But there we were. Ken and I drove down to the rec center, where we were able to hear Coach Steve's going away speech--shut up and listen, no girls, no parties, work hard, be safe, go to church. We gathered by the car with Jake's dad and sister, everyone said their goodbyes, and then we loaded in the car, Josh led the 3 of us in a prayer, and we were off!
How exciting! They were so happy to be going, even though they knew they might be returning home again in 10 days. They were just happy to have the chance.
We took turns driving through the day, and thankfully I can honestly say I had the chance to say everything to them that was on my mind--like, you won't leave toothpaste in the sink, will you? and, it's all about making your host family feel comfortable and glad that they have you--you know, all the mom stuff. We had a great drive over, with the car running beautifully, and with a dinner stop at The Gold and Silver in Reno. That was a restaurant recommended by my sister Tammy and her husband, Dave, as being featured on TV's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. How those boys put away a 1-pounder hamburger is beyond me, but I do think they could have eaten more.
We arrived at Nancy's and Charlie's at about 7:30 and had a great visit with them. The biggest concern of Nancy's and Charlie's was that the boys didn't step on the resident white-fur-pink-eyed bunny, who sneaks around the house, eats shoes, and is generally curious. The boys took me to my hotel and went back to their new home, where they were immediately talked into a hot dog at the favorite dog restaurant. I can't believe the amount of food those boys can put away. They say they aren't hungry but then they can always eat.
The next morning they were right on time to pick me up for church, and I noticed immediately the beautiful church music they were listening to in the car. There was such a sweet spirit with them. They were both in suits and looked so handsome and grown up. They had decided that we should go to both wards meeting in the building that day--the ward that the swim club was in (Ashton Park ward, where they hope to stay because it was close) and the ward next to it (Cottage Park Ward). Cottage Park's meetings were 9:00-12:00, and Ashton Park's meetings were 11:30-2:30.
We walked in and the boys seemed to feel pretty comfortable. I had told them the day before "If you don't feel uncomfortable you aren't trying hard enough". So we met a few people in the foyer and then went into the chapel. They immediately offered to help with the sacrament and I found a seat. It was just a couple a minutes before Sister Tew came and sat behind me and introduced herself. I told her who we were and why we were there and she immediately said, "They can stay with us." She also talked to the bishop's wife, and they decided between the 2 of them that they could for sure find a place for them. They also said that we should talk to Brett and Dara Favaro, who own the club, because they might know of something for them.
After sacrament meeting the 2 women got together and started talking about talking to this person or that person. They went and introduced us to John Kennedy, who had actually just moved over to that ward from the other ward, and was a former Young Men's president, and he immediately said, "I have man-cave they could stay in". Then, "I better ask my wife first. . ." We left that ward feeling very hopeful that something would happen for the boys.
The boys started all over again at 11:00, asking to help with the sacrament, but having to declare their worthiness to the Bishop first (good for that Bishop!). They were done with the sacrament and came to talk with me for a minute. I noticed a grandpa-aged man from across the chapel trying to get the boys attention. I said, "Josh, that man is trying to talk to you." Josh looked over and said, "No, he's not." But I looked at the man who was still trying to get their attention. I knew there was no one behind us so he had to be trying to talk to the boys. They went over and he asked them who they were and what they were doing there. Josh and Jake told him and he introduced himself as Bro. Favero, who owns the club (father of Brett). All along during the boys' planning, we had heard the name Brett Favero come up over and over. He swam with Coach Steve at BYU. Jake knew someone who knew him. Bishop Timpson of that ward had brought up his name during several conversations with Josh before they left home. The women in the Cottage Park ward suggested we talk with him. I knew I had to talk with him but didn't know if he would be there, if we would be able to find them, how many people would I have to ask to find out who he was? and all of a sudden there are Josh and Jake talking to his dad. And, there were Brett and Dara sitting right behind the boys passing the sacrament. I saw them talking to Brett and then the meeting started.
The boys decided to bear their testimonies--I had suggested that if they felt like it was right they should to go ahead. I also suggested they introduce themselves but not say anything about why there were there or needing a place to stay. If they were going to get up it should be a pure and simple testimony. They were both so sweet. They looked like missionaries--as a matter of fact, several people had asked them if they were missionaries.
After Sunday School I saw Brett and Dara and went to speak to them. The first thing Dara said was, "They can stay with us. We want them with us." I was just overwhelmed. I know I looked stupid talking with them with tears in my eyes but I was so grateful and couldn't believe they were so kind. I immediately felt very calm about everything and knew that it was right and that they would be in the right place. About that time Bishop Timpson came into the room with Josh and Jake so they could talk with Bret and Dara. Apparently someone had come to find the boys in Sunday School and said that Bishop Timpson wanted to meet with them in his office, which totally freaked them out, but Brett and Dara had gone to the Bishop right after sacrament meeting and told him that they wanted the boys. It was just all so amazing.
The boys were stressed over driving so far every day (they're paying for their own gas) so they asked Bro. Kennedy if they could stay with them for a week until they could move in with the Faveros on June 15. We went over there later Sunday evening to see their house and talk with him and his wife. What sweet people. They are just 3 miles from the club. They are so accommodating and seemed genuinely happy for the boys to be coming for a week.
So the boys had just an awesome experience with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Charlie and hated to leave, but are now with John and Sheryl Kennedy for the next few days. They are having an wonderful time and are sooooo happy to be there and to be swimming. Josh is just so excited every time I talk with him.
On June 15 they will move again to be with Bret and Dara Favero. They live on the grounds of the club where the team practices. And, Grandma is right across the street and always has cookies. . .
I am so grateful for the Lord's hand in all of this. I was able to sit with Dara during Relief Society and she said, "After we talked to the boys, and they sat down, we looked at each other and said, "This is what we're supposed to do. We're supposed to have them with us this summer." I know that these boys are supposed to be there this summer. I also know that Heavenly Father has guided and inspired each person through this process in a way to allow them to be over there. It couldn't be more clear to me if there was writing on the wall.
Oh, and John Kennedy's father owns the house behind Jake's here in Bountiful (or something crazy like that), and thinks they might be related. . .
And, Josh is giving a talk this Sunday and Jake is speaking in a couple of weeks. . .
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