Toyota Sienna Power Sliding Door

Well last week I wrote about my power door on the Toyota. Toyota told me it would cost $110 to fix the door. So I made an appointment to have it done. I brought the van in a couple days later and the part that they had to install was much harder than they thought, so the wait was a lot longer. While they had the door taken apart, they noticed that the sensor needed replaced. Great! So much for my $110 bill! They would have to order the part and it would take an hour and a half to install. So I made another appointment to bring it back. My service manager (we are each assigned a manager) told me that my $110 bill can wait to be paid until I came back to have the sensor fixed. I reluctantly made the appointment to go back because by now, I had spent a couple hours (at least) at the Toyota dealership with two 6-year-olds. I didn't know if I would survive another wait. But I did since we love having the door work. That repair was estimated to cost an additional $240. So now it was going to cost me $350 for the door to be fixed and I was quickly losing confidence in the mechanics. I was wondering if they were just grasping at straws trying to fix this door.

We went back today at 8 so I could get the kids to school for afternoon kindergarten. We were there 4 hours before they offered me a free rental vehicle so I could get my boys to school. As I was filling out the paperwork for the rental, the mechanic came in to tell me that the door was finally fixed. The service manager felt bad about all the trouble and aggravation that he just charged me for the part today and wrote off the repair last week and the labor for today. So I am glad they compensated me for my aggravation.

Poor Mario couldn't understand why I was so upset at the long wait to have it repaired. He reminded me that there are worse places to be (like Afghanistan). But I wasn't just frustrated with Toyota, it is the stress from having him gone, all the appointments at Toyota, and all of Eric's appointments for his arm.

While I am writing this, the nurse just called to tell me that a kid in school tripped and fell into Eric forcing him out of his seat and landing on his arm. So it looks like more trips to the dr. I hope he is ok. Poor Eric.

April Fool's Day

I guess Mother's Day wasn't the first time Mario hacked into my blog. Mario did some "customizing" to it for an April Fool's Day joke. Imagine his disappointment when I only noticed it a couple days ago.

99 Days

I just looked at the countdown and it says 99 days! We finally made it to under 100! What a great day!!!

Suicide Bombings

Today I woke up to the headline, "5 US troops among 18 killed in Afghanistan suicide attack." Again I was scared to click on the link. I often wonder how I would want to find out if something really did happen to Mario. Would I prefer a call from a co-worker or the dreaded knock on the door by the military chaplain? I definitely would not want to find out from an online article so I don't know why I always click on it. I guess the knock at the door would be better because at least there is someone there to comfort me. Mario says one of the chaplains on base is LDS so he would probably come and probably bring our Bishop with him. It makes me cry just thinking about this scenario.

Anyway, I did click and read the news. I found out the time and realized I had talked to Mario just after the bombings. I guess he didn't know about them yet. Regardless, I knew he was safe. It appears they were targeting the military and bombed some vehicles. Sounds like they were the same kind of SUV's that Mario drives almost daily, probably even the same roads he drives daily.

I keep telling myself that at least if something happens to Mario, I have no doubt he will make it to the Celestial Kingdom. He is a very good man, husband, and father. Ok, now I am crying again. This morning, I received this very kind email from his LDS co-worker who has been a very good friend to Mario.

Hi Terry (Terri) sp?,
Your husband wanted me to drop you a quick line letting you know he is safe and sound. There was a bombing in the area today and wanted to let you know. He has been in some meetings today which have prevented him from letting you know this.

While I am at it I would like to thank you and your children for the great sacrifice you are making at home. I know from my perspective that the family members of Military members should receive as much recognition as any soldier fighting this battle for freedom. Thanks again for all of your efforts, faith, trust, and prayers.

Grant Horsley

Afghanistan Plane Crash

Mario told me that he was flying to Bagram, Afghanistan today. He has to travel around Kabul almost everyday, but he has never had to take a flight anywhere. He was excited about his trip and I want to be excited for him, but I would be happier if he never left his base. Today, when I woke up, I checked the news headlines. This was one of the top stories, "Plane carrying 44 down in Afghanistan." I wasn't sure if I should click on the link or not, but I did and was relieved to find out that it was a plane flying into Kabul and not one leaving Kabul. Eric quickly reminded me not to read the news.

Then a couple hours later, while I was at the dr with Eric, Mario called to tell me he never left Kabul. He waited at the airport for 11 hours before they finally canceled his flight due to bad weather. Their mission had been scrapped. I wasn't disappointed. He said it was a good day because he finished the first Work and Glory book, read lots of conference talks, and took a nap. It was the first relaxing day he has had in 3 months. I am so glad he had a day to rest.

Better Day

I had a good day yesterday. I took my Toyota in to the shop because the power door was only working half the time. I googled possible solutions to the problem and was freaked out when I saw that most people were paying $1600-$2500 to have their doors fixed. When we bought the van, I told Mario I didn't want a power door because repairs would be expensive. But he persisted and I have loved the door. I found out that I am one of the lucky ones and it only needs a $110 new latch (at least for now.) Toyota is getting a bad rap right now with all the recalls but I stand behind my van. I love it and have not had anything mechanically go wrong yet (knock on wood).

Then I talked to Eric's principal, the PE teacher, and the Radiologist who gave me all the good news that I had been hoping for. Eric wouldn't have to do summer school due to his excellent grades, his PE teacher would go easy on him, and the Radiologist said that I shouldn't worry about the shield. But he did have a talk with his technicians about proper procedures and he even thanked me for letting him know because he is not back there with them and doesn't know when they make a mistake unless someone informs him. I also signed my twins up for summer camp for 4 days and I talked Erin into going to full-day summer camp for 5 days. I wish there was a full time (all summer long) summer camp for the boys that was close by. But that would probably cost me a fortune. Everything multiplied times 2 seems like a fortune to me. Twins aren't cheap!

Best news of all...Mario hit the 3 month mark yesterday. So if he hadn't been extended 2 weeks, he would be about half way done. But 3 1/2 more months to count down is way better than 6! I am also excited that Missy and her kids are coming in a couple weeks. That should help the time go faster too.

Casualties of War

Dear Terri,

I'm excited that it's Thursday. That means a relaxed evening and the morning off. I'm really looking forward to church.

This has been the fastest week since I've been here. I've gotten a lot more engaged in the work and understanding so much more. Grant has been a great friend too, which makes this all more bearable.

This is a challenging place for some members of the church. I've seen one guy fall away completely, another is on the way, and one looks to be battling hard and winning.

The first guy is a young, good looking Army soldier, in the prime of his life. He came to church the first two weeks and even a FHE back in late Feb when he first arrived. He wasn't overly friendly, but he was there. He didn't come back. I've been seeing him once in awhile. At first he would just nod, now he won't make eye contact. Yesterday I saw him in the gym working out with a couple other soldiers. I heard the guys he was with swearing up a storm. I quickly turned up the volume on my music player hoping to not hear him. It's too painful to see a young saint falling.

The other member is an older civilian guy from Ft Huachuca that started out strong (came in March), even gave a great talk in church. Super friendly with a family back home, a kid in college and one on a mission. Now he's hit or miss... mostly miss... at church. Today I found him smoking in the smokers pit behind my building. I walked up to shake his hand before I knew what he was doing and just saw it. I tried not to show any reaction as I greeted him and I quickly walked away.

There was another young Airman member of the church I saw looking at the smokeless tobacco at our BX. He didn't see me until he turned around to walk out (I guess he decided not to do it). I just played it off as if I didn't see him. He wouldn't speak to me for awhile, but I always said hi when I saw him. He still comes to church and even tries to bang out a few notes for our hymns (valiant effort). He sits and talks to me in the dining facility occasionally now. And now he always says hi and is very friendly. I think he went through a spiritual battle and I suspect he won (I figure since he's friendly and active).

My eyes well up when I think of the loss the first two brothers... casualties in a deadlier war than the physical one here.

Please share this with the kids. We all go through trials. Once you slip out of the light, it's hard to find your way back. I'm thankful I've made the decision long before coming out here to take the high road. I could have never made that decision while being here with temptation everywhere.

I love you and appreciate your encouragement and example of obedience. Let us pray for all three of the brothers out here. It's never too late to repent and get back on the high road.

Love,
Mario