Turbulence Turmoil

Ben is a manly man and can handle blood, spiders, ect; the one thing that does get to him is…motion. Ben gets incredibly motion sick when riding in cars, boats, rollercoaster’s and (as we have found out) airplanes. Our flight home from Utah was on a small aircraft with only 4 seats across, 20 rows and propellers on the wings. It was slightly stormy with scattered rains but nothing major and we boarded the hour long flight on time. Our seats were not next to each other but across the isles and Ben coaxed the man next to him to switch seats with me (a decision I am sure he would soon learn to love).
As we took off in our small, yet durable, plane it soon became aware to all passengers that small planes were more prone to the beats and bumps of the storm- known as turbulence. For someone like me, this is not a problem I actually enjoyed looking out the window at the storm and feeling the bumps and dips of the plane. Ben however, thought differently. Ben’s hand slowly started cutting off the circulation to mine and large beads of sweat started dripping down his forehead and neck. He turned the air onto his now pale green cold and clammy skin and the plane rose in elevation.
At this point the flight attendants voice came on announcing that due to turbulence we must stay in our seats and they would begin coming around for drink orders. Another large turbulence bounce, this time the tip of the plane dropped for a split second. Ben lurched forward grabbed the green ‘barf bag’ in the holder in front of him but contained himself. All passengers around us watched with worry and hesitation. The flight attendants voice came on once more, they were going to suspend the drink orders and just pass out water. Ben sat with him head hanging between his knees gripping his ‘barf bag’ and shaking in fear and pain. Another turbulence bounce and the flight attendants came on the speakers again, “We will be suspending all drinks this flight, please stay in your seats with your seat belts fastened.”
Through the next 30 minutes of the flight the pilot pulled the plane above the storm and the turbulence calmed. Ben began to calm and turn a more natural shade of green. We began to approach Denver and lower through the clouds with no turbulence. The wheels were lowered; he was going to make it. Then we landed; bounce, bounce- one to many. Ben opened his barf bag and vomited over and over throughout the landing. The flight attendant brought us napkins, water and more bags. The other passengers hurried to leave the plane while Ben cleaned up and we were last to leave the plane.
As we got to the plane door Ben moaned, we were not at a tube exit but had to descend stairs and walk outside to a building to get into the airport. There at the foot of the stairs were all the passengers of the plane, picking up checked luggage, watching as “the guy who just puked” exited the plane. He was a little uneasy for a couple hours but now feels fine and can say he never wants to experience that again.
I guess we can be sure that if Ben were a super hero- flying would not be his power!

General Conference: Saturday Morning

I love General Conference. I am one of those people who gets dressed up in my Sunday cloths and goes to the church to sit in a cold dark room with 5 other people and take notes for each session. I fall asleep, get distracted or just don’t appreciate it as much in my pj’s on the couch at home.
This conference we were in Utah for Ben’s mission reunion and decided to see if we could get tickets to the Saturday Morning Session. This would be the first time I would ever see a conference session live. We got up early and went to Temple Square. It was a testimony in itself to see the multitude of saints rushing to hear the words of the prophet. We got in the standby line of 200+ people to wait for tickets and after about 45 minutes a young man walked up and handed us two. I was so grateful and excited we practically ran to the Conference Center.
We sat in the balcony section (high of the high) but it was amazing to be in the room with the Prophet of the Lord and the Apostles. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was impeccable and the talks were amazing. Ben teases me and says that I cried through the entire thing, which might be true because the spirit was so strong. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity and experience. I am so grateful that I felt that witness that President Monson is a prophet of God. Conference was amazing and has once again enriched my soul. I am so blessed for the gospel in my life and the wonderful things that it teaches me!

Buenos Aires Oeste Mission Reunion

We went to Salt Lake for Ben’s mission reunion and had such a great time seeing his old companions and Mission President. Ben has been home from his mission (in Argentina) for four years and considers it one of the most memorable and spiritually growing times of his life. This year Ben and his old companion, Moises Barriero, were responsible for setting up and arranging the reunion. It turned out great with about 75 missionaries/guests coming, including his old Mission President, President Ramos, and his wife, Sister Ramos. They had a potluck and then a short fireside with talks given by Present and Sister Ramos and the oldest and newest to return missionaries. They had musical numbers, slideshows and many memories shared. It was great to see Ben light up and reminisce with all his old friends and companions.

Bag Check

A couple weeks ago we went camping with my family and took Ben’s backpack with us. Friday morning as I was packing I saw that I had left some camping stuff in the bag, such as the bug spray and matches- so I quickly took them out and packed the bag. At the airport on the way to Salt Lake City we went through security and were putting our shoes and belts back on when the security guy yelled out, “Who’s bag is this?” and held up Ben’s packpack. Shocked we followed him to the side and he pulled out from the visible mesh side pocket a 3 inch camping knife (Unfolded it would be 6-7 inches). Ben immediately looked at me and my mouth dropped open in shock and amazement. OOPS! I started muttering, “We went camping…I was packing but I… I didn’t even check the side… oh I am so sorry…that’s a good knife… I am so sorry!” The Security Guard could obviously tell it was a big mistake and told Ben he could go through a process to keep it or just get rid of it. We did not have time to keep it so they took his camping knife- never to be seen by us again. I felt really bad but Ben just smiled and said I would have to get him a new one! Flying on airplanes is stressful, I was so precise about putting my 3 oz liquids in baggies and that I forgot to take out my weapons!