Hinck Happenings: 2020

Friday, May 29, 2020

New house on Memorial Weekend

Last Friday, we loaded into two cars and traveled to Utah. We hadn't seen our family members that live away from Rexburg since December. Most importantly, Spencer hadn't seen anyone outside of Rexburg since coming home from his mission. With the restrictions of coronavirus being less rigid,

we thought it was a good time to take a road trip. We were all anxious to have a little time away.

We drove our minivan and car. We included Catherine, William, Sarah, Poppy and myself and then Dave, Spencer and Matthew. We needed to travel in two carsto allow room for all the baby equipment and our return trips were at different times. Caleb joined us for Sunday and Monday.

On Thursday, Camille and Jonathan had just moved from their first home to a new home a few miles south. They had been looking for a home with less stairs and a bit more space. There old address was 11444 South 150 East in Draper and now their new address is 618 East Beaumont Way also in Draper. Because of coronavirus, they hired a company to move them. By the time we arrived on Friday night, they were all moved and were beginning the stages of unpacking. While there, we helped them get a little more settled. Catherine and Sarah arranged the pantry. The men put together shelves for the garage and did a little yard work. I cooked all the meals and we all helped with the cute grandbabies so that Camille and Jonathan could focus on unpacking.

It was really fun to spend time with our family. Besides unpacking, we played a few games, went to the park, flew a kite, did our Sunday home worship together and collectively visited visited three cemeteries on Memorial Day. Ben stayed home to work and of course, Kirsten was in DC. Matthew had been scheduled to be in California on his orchestra Disneyland trip so it was nice to have a little getaway.

Lincoln gets some time with Spencer.

All the babies remarkedly direct their attention to the camera.

To help Matthew have a little Disney in his life, we bought the game Disney Code Names and enjoyed refreshing ourselves on the Disney characters.

Poppy and Spencer

Camille's home provides a lot of fun toys for the babies.

Lincoln loved reading books with Spencer.

While there, we had our first ever zoom meet with the Thompson family. The babies said hello.

Lincoln and Grandpa had a successfully flew kites.

Lincoln and the kite.

The granddaughters and Camille say hello.

The van, packed with the girls and babies, returned to Rexburg on Tuesday. On our way home we stopped in Logan and Smithfield to say hello to our parents. The men returned on Wednesday and also made a stop to see our parents. Dave and the boys helped grandma Wood with some small chores. Grandma Wood has been recovering from a small stroke that occurred on March 27th. Luckily the effects have been able to dissipate for the most part and she seems to be able to resume taking care of her needs since having the stroke. It was so nice to spend a weekend with family. Kirsten sent a picture of her Memorial Day plate that she prepared for her and her roommate, Catherine

William and Caleb at a South Ogden cemetery where Caleb's older sister, Natalie is buried. She died as an infant

Grandpa Clyde Fleming Sarah Viola Thompson are buried in the Holladay Memorial Cemetery in Utah. We took the opportunity to visit this spot on Memorial Day. In this picture we have myself, a granddaughter, Camille, Spencer, Matthew, Sarah and Catherine, five of their great-grandchildren, and Adelyn, Lincoln, Poppy and William, four of their great-great grandchildren.

The first weekend that all the grandchildren were together since Christmas.

Adding Dave to the picture.

Now adding Jonathan.

Burrell, a dear friend of Jonathan and Camille, passed away about 3 years ago from a fall while hiking. He is also buried in the Holladay area.

Lincoln and Adelyn loved having visitors to play with.

Enjoying a visit with Grandpa and Grandma Thompson.

We also enjoyed our visit in Logan.

Monday, May 18, 2020

Matthew Wins as Co-VP

Matthew decided to run for senior class co-vice president. He put a lot of effort into his campaign. Because school switched to on-line schooling in March, campaigning was entirely on-line. In a way, it was probably easier to do it digitally rather than spending a lot of time making posters and flyers.
For one of his instagram posts, he rewrote the words to a "High School Musical" selection, singing that they should elect him as Co. He found out the results this morning and he was elected as one of the VP's. Now let's hope that school will resume in the fall and that the seniors will be able to have a fun year before they graduate in 2021.

Elder Hinck's Final E-mail

Knowing that he would be returning home shortly, Spencer sent the following e-mail that really sums up how much he loved his mission.

well...

Que puedo decir??? Its a been a crazy couple of days here in mexico. First off. ON thursday they told us they we cant contact or talk to people in the streets. today they rold us that starting tomorrow we will be in quarantine, and sunday night they told us that all foreigners are going home and if you have 18 months or more in the mission youll be getting released as a missionary. So.... Ill be going home in about two weeks more or less. Its something hard to get over my head. I have no idea really if this will be my last email or night so i just want to tell you all how much i have loved the mission! When i came here I honestly didnt know what to think. There were so many things that i didnt know and that i had to learn. I just want to say i am so grateful for the opprotunity that i have had to serve the people of mexico. I love them with all my heart and it hurts me really to have to leave them so soon. But if theres anyhting that i know, is that the time of the lord is perfect and i know that if its time to go home, i must have finished my work here. the mission has changed me in so many ways that i cant write all of them. I have had so many challenges here. So many. but i wouldnt change them for anything because i know the lord gave me them to grow stronger and firm in the gospel. Im so grateful for the gospel of jesus christ. It isa the only path to happiness on this earth!!! I testfiy to you all, there is no other way that i would have wanted to spend 20 months of my life than serving a mission!!!!! Even though im very sad to leave this story here, im excited to start another one!!! Los amo a todos!!!!!!!

Elder Hinck

P.S. Luis got baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Return of an Army

Covid-19 has disrupted so much of our lives. I'll start with one of the biggest changes for our family. On April 21, 2018, Spencer opened a mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to labor in the Mexico City North Mission speaking Spanish. His assignment was to report to the Mexico City Mission Training Center on August 28th. The intent was for him to serve a two year mission with a planned return around August 12th of 2020. That was before we knew that coronavirus or Covid-19 was a thing. When it became apparent of the effect that the virus was having on foreign countries, the church made the decision to return home a majority of missionaries serving in foreign countries. Within a month, thousands of missionaries returned to their countries from their assigned areas of service. For a short period of time, I wondered if Mexico would pass by without to much effect but in time Mexico and the US announced that their borders would be closing so that they could reduce the spread of the virus. In just one week of time, Spencer went from not seeking out new people to teach, to being under a stay at home policy, to then coming home. It was not the kind of closure any of the missionaries expected but it was what needed to be done. His good friends from high school also returned home from the countries where they were serving. Peter Bressler returned from Africa, Brian Andreasen returned from the Philippines and Nathan Geimlich returned from Peru. They were all home within a space of a couple of weeks.

Because of the policies of the United States and Idaho, only Dave, Matthew and I were able to pick Spencer up at the airport. On March 31st shortly after 8:00 pm, we waited outside the airport doors with other awaiting families A plane arrived with a group of missionaries returning from several different countries. They arrived in a rainstorm so photo opportunities were not the best. We were able to get a few photos to remember but I wish I had thought to get more.

Since everything was unconventional in our welcoming of missionaries, I organized an opportunity for neighbors to welcome Spencer. The morning of the day he was to arrive home, I contacted all the ward neighbors who lived in our corner of the subdivision and asked them to watch for my text that evening. Upon receiving my text, I asked them to come to their porches and give a wave and a shout to welcome Spencer back home. Everyone was excited to be part. At that point, we had all been staying home and away from people for a couple of weeks and it was fun to do and activity together. Not only did we have waves but there were posters, flashlights and even fireworks. It was really fun!

We took pictures of Spencer as he was inside the airport waiting for luggage and then at the doors of the airport. I'm sad that somehow we missed getting a photo of Matthew with Spencer. Matthew was there and was so excited to welcome him home!

We visited with Spencer for a short time and then President Zenger, our stake president, called to release him. It has been so apparent to me from listening to Spencer's tender words that he had many powerful and tender experiences while serving in Mexico. He loved the people there and continues to show love and emotion for the people he diligently served for 19 1/2 months. His testimony of our Savior's mission on earth is strong and he desires to continue to study and share his testimony with others. We love you Spencer. Thank-you for your faith, example and love.

The morning of Spencer's return. He is pictured with other returning missionaries and President and Sister Severson.

Spencer and Julie at the Idaho Falls Airport.

Spencer with his welcome home sign.

Spencer and Dave

He looked so great and he was so happy.

Spencer brought me a beautiful blouse.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

2020: Year of the pandemic

Where do I begin? Since my last blogpost, Spencer has served a full-time mission and is now home. We are in the midst of experiencing events in this world that have never happened before. It really is unprecedented. Major family changes include the marriages of Sarah and Catherine and the births of four grandchildren.

Lots to recap but for now I'll start with today.

We are in our 10th week of having home church. In December, a virus named COVID-19 started in China. The origins are undecided at this point. This little microscopic bug has been the cause of immense change to everyone's lives. The most dramatic changes for us have been cancelling of school, cancelling of church, and staying home for almost two months. Everything has come to a standstill. This past week our state of Idaho has been opening back up. Businesses are open again and more people are venturing out. We pray that things will continue to improve.

Today was a typical Sunday. I mean typical for the last 2 months. Dave held his meetings through Zoom which is an on-line meeting format. All attendees can be in the same meeting but stay at home. I also attended a Zoom meeting for my calling. The week before church was changed to home meetings, I was called to serve in the ward Relief Society presidency as 2nd counselor. I was released from my previous calling as a Relief Society instructor. I felt sad to be released but I'm okay to try a new calling. I serve with Cherie Hodgson, Wendy Heder and Doreen Sorensen. It is an interesting time to serve in a presidency with the changes to ministering. This next week I begin my second round of interviewing sisters about their ministering assignments. It has been enjoyable to meet and visit with sisters in this way.

In the late afternoon, we invited Sarah's and Catherine's families over for dinner. I served hamburger stroganoff, mashed potatoes, corn, whole wheat bread and oatmeal cake. I had recently come across the oatmeal cake recipe that was given to me by Madge Meek over 20 years ago. I had never tried it until today. It was a keeper at least in Dave's book. I'll have to make it again. After dinner and the dishes, we decided to go for a walk around Nature Park and Eagle Park. These two parks are on the northwest corner of Rexburg and border the Teton River. The major downside of the parks is the location. Nearby is the water treatment plant where the smells can be very offensive.

We walked through the parks pushing two strollers that were holding two adorable babies. Here is an introduction of our new son in-laws and two new grand babies. Sarah and Ben Stevens welcomed Poppy Elizabeth Stevens to their family on December 2nd, 2019 and Catherine and Caleb Allred welcomed William Lewis Allred to their family on September 10th, 2019.

I love being together with family on Sundays. These are days never to be forgotten. Both Ben and Caleb are preparing for graduate studies and will be preparing to move elsewhere next year when they have determined where their studies will take them and their families. I will enjoy these wonderful people while I can.

Along with the girls and their families, we had Spencer and Matthew adding to our fun. On March 31 of this year, Spencer returned from the Mexico City North mission 4 1/2 months earlier then planned. Many missionaries serving in countries other then the United States were assigned to end their missions early because of closing borders and the threat of the virus. Though it was very disappointing to have to leave early, he has been an immense pleasure to have home again. His testimony and understanding of the gospel are incredibly strengthening to me and our family. We are blessed to have him with us.

It has been a challenging time for Matthew. The school year ended very abruptly back in March because of the virus. So many experiences ended without closure. Matthew loved participating in his music classes and he especially loved being part of vocal spectrum. They were an exceptionally talented group this year. Having no closure and the having many things end without warning has been a huge disruption in the lives of students. My best advice to Matthew is to take each day one step at a time and try not to worry too much about the future. Easily said but difficult to do.

Our walk was so enjoyable. I love being with family and though we weren't all their together, we hold a tight bond with one another. Each week we miss Kirsten, Camille, Jonathan, Lincoln and Adelyn. There will be times in the future that we can spend some time together. I very much look forward to that day!