Halloween....minus Cody and Cassidy.

This Halloween has been a little bit different than those in the past.  Cassidy had a volleyball game scheduled, so she got home about 9:30pm and by that time our neighborhood had finished trick or treating.  Cody is at the MTC, and is probably focused on things of an eternal nature :).  The dynamics of our family is changing, but we still think of one another always, so this year it was just Christine, and in honor of her brother, she dressed up as 'Miss Texas', and when she got home she split her candy with her sister :).

First pday in the MTC

Hey Mom and family!

So this is the end of week one...It has felt so much longer than just that! How are you guys? I want to hear everything!!! Last week was so hard saying goodbye to you all. I miss you guys everyday, so so much. The language is coming along, but i still have so much work to do. I have learned more in 6 days here then I ever did in 3 years at school. The classes are very long, and sometimes hard to stay awake  in, but dont worry mom i am paying attention and makin the most of it. How is buddy doing? I got the cookies, thank you so so much. Me and my roomates were very appreciative of them!!! My companion is Elder Banegas. He is form Tennessee and i really like him!! The CCM really is a great place, the people here are so great. One of my roomates is Elder Whitney, Cassidy you played v ball with his sister?? He is really funny and one of my good friends now, he is defintely a blessing. P days are on tuesday, so this is when i will be writing you guys. Today we got to got to the temple, it wsa so awesome. They show the old video here, i defintely like the new one better. Haha Mexico City is crazy..its very dirty and it smells bad. But once you get inside the walls of the CCM it is like an entirely new world. I love and miss you guys so much. I pray for you guys everyday, and i know you guys are doing the same, I can feel it. I cant wait to talk to you guys again. I love you so so much!!

 Love, Elder Backus

Annual Painting/Carving of the Pumpkins

Cassidy's Texas State Flag

Crista's Minnie Mouse 

 Cody and Justine's Si from Duck Dynasty

 Last FHE before Cody left for.....

Made it! (Cody's first email from the MTC in Mexico City)

Hey family! How are you all? I just wanted to write and tell you all that I made it safely, piece of cake. Mexico City is absolutely crazy...I will tell you more about it when I have more time to write. The MTC here is very nice, and the people here are very friendly. They speak spanish all the time, obviously, so it is la lucha to understand them. I havent met my companion or gone to my room yet, the first thing they wanted us to do was write home. I just wanted to tell you all that I love you all so much. This morning was hard, but it will totally be worth it. I love you guys, you really are the best family in the entire world. I hope you all had a good day, they will get better, they always do. The spirit here is so strong. I am out here for a reason, and that reason is the right one. Im finally doing something worth while, definitely not tossing salads anymore. I will write you whenever I can next, which will either be tomorrow or next thursday, I hope its tomorrow! I cant wait to tell you more! I love you all so very much, you are all in my prayers. Just know that i am 100% safe, and all my needs are definitely taken care of. Thank you so much. I love you guys!

Elder Backus

Cody's mission president has asked his missionaries and their families to not have mission specific blogs, so today I am once again starting a family blog which will include updates on how he is doing along with pictures and anything else I feel ok about adding.  

Because I have served a mission, I didn't think sending Cody off would be as difficult as it was.  He will be missed :).