Carton's Recycle Bin

Backyard Fun

2009-04-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wars have been fought and nations have formed and perished in less time than it has taken to fix our backyard. We are in the thick of the battle now. Mother nature has not been kind. Today is day seven of water rations. Not of the water we drink but of water we pee. We have a porta-potty and an outdoor shower rigged up in our backyard. We are washing dishes in buckets and are washing hands over buckets as well.

Since it was spring break last week, we got out of town and went to the Tri-Cities area to do a little shopping and go swimming in the hotel pool, but mainly to enjoy working toilets and showers.

Our back yard has huge trenches filled with sand and mud where our drain field used to be. We lost seven trees and and moved one to the front yard, where we may have to take out another. We have torn out retaining walls and a nice automatic sprinkler system. We have dug a huge pit and put a 4.5 ton tank in it.

It's a bit like camping. It has been interesting to note how the absence of one area of comfort has affected out lives and has made us thing about being truly self reliant. It is one thing to prepare for a "normal" future. Where the rules that we grew up with still apply. Go to school, get a job, buy a house, make payments, fill up the tank, save for retirement, etc. But what if inflation is so bad that money is no good? What if our utilities don't work for months or years at a time? What if roads become impassable and trucks are idle with factories shutting down? I know these things would not be permanent, but what if it lasts a long time? If a series of very bad events that affects everyone goes on and on, do we have the reserves of food, water, shelter, transportation, finances, and tools? Do we have emotional strength, intellectual storehouses, spiritual courage, determination and drive, and healthy relationships with our friends, family and neighbors to weather personal, local, nationwide, or worldwide, disasters?

Just made me think a little. Those poor people on Ghana that Tylan preaches to, deal with food, water , electricity and medical shortages as a way of life. Our little problem in the back yard is just that, a little problem in the back yard. When I think of the struggles Tylan is going through with them in Africa, my problems are laughable and small. He is sacrificing so much to be there, our current problems are nothing but a hiccup really, a trifle.

Life as we know it

2008-09-27T00:25:00.000-07:00

It has been a great year so far. A new grandchild, a new mom, a new missionary, and a new driver, a new trumpet player, and a new church member. Easton is the new grandchild, Tiara is the new mom, Tylan is the new missionary, and Trevin is the new driver, Tanner is the new trumpet player, and Taylor is the new church member.

Tylan's Address

2008-09-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, here is how you can write to Tylan.

There are two ways.

One is called "Pouch Mail" and you can send either a postcard or a letter that is just a single sheet of paper, folded into 3 panels, and a piece of tape at the top. (No envelopes can be used for pouch mail). Pouch mail costs 42 cents, the current U.S. rate, since it goes through Utah and they ship it on to the missionaries.

The Pouch Address is:

Elder Carton

Ghana Cape Coast Mission

P.O. Box 30150

Salt Lake City, Utah

84130-0150

The other way to mail him is just through "Regular Mail", and so you can use an envelope of course! The postage is the current rate to Africa, which is a 94 cent stamp you can buy.

The address for his regular mail is:

Elder Carton

Ghana Cape Coast Mission

PMB CC 1385

Cape Coast, Ghana