Hi everyone.  Well, I think that I have been through the two hardest days of
my life so far.  One was speaking at Brian's farewell.   I was stressed out
about that for the last month.  I was worried that I would cry too much and
had been praying a lot that I wouldn't.  I did feel a calm spirit that day
that helped me to get through it.  It was so nice to have some family come.
I feel like I was walking around in a daze that weekend, if I seemed a
little out of it, I hope you will understand.  I was a little bit out of it.
It was a quick trip for many of you, but we appreciate you being there and I
know it especially meant a lot to Brian.  The second hard day, was saying
good bye to Brian.  It is a weird feeling to say goodbye to someone that you
love dearly knowing that you will not see them for two years!  We didn't
want to turn and walk away.  I had some wonderful days with Brian before he
left though.  One day we cleaned out his room and just reminisced deciding
what to keep and what to through away.  Another special day was the day
before he left when we were able to pack together while everyone was at
school and run around to pick up a few forgotten items.  We spent a lot of
time talking and me reminding him of all the different things he would need
to do.  IT was neat to have that time alone together.  After we dropped him
off and drove off, no one in the car wanted to talk for awhile.  There was a
feeling of sadness and emptiness.  When we got home it just seemed weird to
walk in his room and feel such a emptiness.  It seemed weird to go to bed
without him home and not have to wait up for him.  I guess we will get used
to these feelings.  Now we will look forward to getting mail!!!!!  BY the
way, some of you have asked for his address.

At the MTC it is :

Elder Brian David Buchanan,

MTC Mailbox #132, CAN-TORW 0130,

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT 84604-1793. 

He will be there for three weeks, so I am guessing that he will
leave for Ontario on Jan. 30th.  I will send the new address in next months
letter.  Other than our missionary news, we had a nice Christmas, fairly
quiet.  IT seemed a little hard to get excited about Christmas this year
because I had so much on my mind.  Thank goodness for Heidi and her
motivation to get the house decorated.  She is at that in between stage
where she is still a little kid at heart, and yet trying to be cool like a
teenager.  When you have kids leave home, you really start to appreciate the
ones still around.  Each day is precious.  Family has been important to me.
Not just my immediate family, but extended family.  I feel like each moment
together with all of you is precious.  We love each of you and hope to
attend these upcoming baby blessings.  Good luck Amy and Brian!!!  We will
be thinking of you and anxiously awaiting to hear your good news!!

The Buchanans

Jan 2002