Christopher Luke.

I thought about what I could write to summarize this time in our family's life. Little Christopher has been called to the Mozambique Maputo Mission and will be leaving just after his birthday on the 18th of April. This is a sort of exciting and sad time. Christopher's mission is far less advanced than either my own or Phillip's, (both having served in Brazil), in regards to what we are able to do for him. unfortunately if we want to send him anything we will be out of luck, since no postal service can guarantee any post for the missionaries. If he should need anything, we will just have to wire extra money so he can buy it. Less communication, except through emails - which we didn't anticipate. Indeed his first few weeks might be very lonely.

But to prepare us for the two year separation, we spend as much time as we can climbing rocks and mountains together. Christopher has become and exceptional rock climber, in a short amount of time. Which is hard, because it means one more thing to leave.  (above is a picture of us spelunking "spanish moss", which is in Provo Canyon).

When I'm not with Chris, I have a whole frenzy of things to worry about. I run a clothing store at the Gateway Mall, called Bohme Boutique (Bohme rhymes with Rome). Its a riot. I have the best team. Each girl just as capable and vital to the operation and structure of how the team works, and how the store runs.

Recently I went horse back riding with one of my employees (whom I call "Wolfy"), her family boards horses and raises some of their own. I took along a friend, Celeste. The three of us had no idea what was in store. We began on a smaller trail ride, but since we were near their homes, the horses were in a hurry to get back and kept resisting our leading. The afternoon was windy, and as it blew, sounds from the neighborhood and construction carried toward our horses ears. They became anxious and would begin to tug at our reins. My horse, Lucky, was determined to be in control, I wasn't his usual rider, and on more than one occasion I had to stop him altogether to get him to go the way I wanted him to go. He eventual tired and began to follow my lead. I was glad to since I was tired myself of saying, "Lucky, stop!"

The real beast however was coming back.  The horses knew where we were, and were in a hurry to get back. At various points, I had to turn Lucky around completely just to get him to stop. Turning him so he could see the other horses. He was trot and then gallop a little and I would have to call out the old "Lucky, stop!". Wolfy, who is a much more experienced rider, had difficulties of her own, Her horse: Special K, seemed to hate Ponies (Celeste's horse happened to be a pony). And at one point, because Celeste's pony came near her, She kicked out to try and hit it, and bucked Wolf at the same time. She didnt come off the horse, but her sunglasses were thrown from her face and when Wolfy got down to retrieve them, Special K gave Wolfy a hard time before she was able to get back on her. The day came to an end and we were finally back on the horse property. We tried to turn the horses around and take one last picture with the three of us on the horse, but as soon as we would get two to pose, a third would turn around and wander off despite its riders commands. Just as Wolfy and I were suited up and ready to dazzle everyone with a picture that would demonstrate our ever capable jocky-ship, Celeste's pony spotted a huge mound of hay and decided to make a run toward it. Out of nowhere, Celeste and her Pony zipped past us and galloped toward a manger, I could hear Celeste calling out "STOP!" and see her pulling on the reins. As soon as it was near the hay stack it skid to a stop and Celeste pulled on its reins again, to try and get it to turn and come back. By the time, Celeste was back, my horse was restless again and Wolfy and her father had to grab the harness of my horse and bring him around the front. Finally, pretty as a picture we stood, shoulder to shoulder on our horses. No sooner was the picture taken that the horses turned and took their long awaited stand at de-saddling station. (see picture above).