AUSTIN'S FAREWELL
We all woke up at the crack of dawn to get ourselves up to Riverton at 9:00 for Austin's farewell! It's hard to believe this day is here! The first grandson of MANY (really soon here too) to go on a mission. We're all really excited for him and proud of his decision. He gave such a nice talk. I was really impressed. I don't think I really have had the chance to talk to him enough to know what a great missionary he really is going to be. I loved his thoughts about going on a mission for "Selfish" reasons and that it is the right thing for HIM and make HIM a better person... not just those he's going to serve. Very cool. It was fun to see everyone for a minute, but we had to hurry and get back to our ward, so we didn't stay for Lynn and Ali's block meetings or the luncheon afterward. He leaves September 2nd! He's going to do great! 8-24-14
MIA MAIDS
I taught again this week and what a whirlwind it was getting ready for that lesson! I had had my mind set on one topic for most of the week, but about halfway through started wondering if I was preparing the right one (we get to choose between 6 or 7, so it's not predetermined). I decided to pray about it some more and the answer I kept getting was to "prepare both". That was a little overwhelming, but as I got started I realized that both topics were really great and actually a little similar in content. Sunday morning I decided (after realizing there wasn't going to be time to teach both lessons) to ask the girls which lesson they wanted :). So I did. They laughed about it a lot, and we all thought it was a little strange for me to do that, but it worked out so well!! I was SO pleased! The whole day was just a huge answer to my recent prayers about wanting to feel the promptings of the Spirit. I felt so calm and relaxed about the whole thing and like I was being directed. It was amazing. Even having the TV not work gave us time to touch on some things that I wasn't going to have time to touch on, and ended up being really crucial elements. It was cool. I love it when that happens :). I even had to leave during the middle of it to go see Charity get set apart (more about that in a minute), so I put Megan in charge while I stepped out and when I came back, they had actually done what they were supposed to and made progress in the lesson!! It was incredible. The girls were awesome too! They participated, shared experiences, and were very open the whole time. It was a fun topic, dating, so that worked in my favor, but it just really went well. I was so happy. And one of the girls, when we got done said, "That was the best lesson ever!" and thanked me! It was great! It's been a while since I felt so good about it. Happy day for me :). 8-24-14
PRESIDENT MAYNES
Cute little Charity got her second calling so far... President of the Beehive class! I'm so happy for her and excited for her to experience that responsibility. I think she will do great! It was interesting to hear all the things the Bishop (well, Heavenly Father for that matter) expects of her as President. And it was even more special to hear all the BLESSINGS during her setting apart, that He has in store for her when she fulfills this calling. I think it will be great for her! Makes me happy. It was a lot of fun to witness her go through the process of choosing a presidency. I gave her some advice that I didn't know I had :). I loved being able to guide her through that. She was decisive and got the names to Bro. Jacox just as requested and was so prompt and responsible about it. She's just a good girl. I'm glad she's mine. 8-24-14
COME UNTO CHRIST
The Young Women were asked to sing (and the Presidency and three girls spoke) in Sacrament meeting this week. That was a cool experience. I'm with Nate, I wish we could hear them speak every week. A lot of it was about Girl's Camp. I loved being able to hear the sweet testimonies of those girls again and be able to feel the Spirit that their words carry. I especially loved hearing them sing our camp song, "Come Unto Christ" one more time (I assume it's the last :) ). We sang that song every week in YW for a few months, and then every morning (and sometimes evening) at girls camp and it STILL gave me chills on Sunday! Every time I heard it!! It is so powerful! I wish I had been able to play it better, since I'd practiced SO MUCH the day before, but I guess my nerves got to me. It's been a while since I played in front of people like that. IT wasn't too bad, just could have been better :) 8-24-14
FATHER'S BLESSINGS
Man, Sunday was busy! After we got home from the walk-about- since Nate had been home teaching before, we got all cozied up for Father's Blessings. This is one of my favorite traditions. I absolutely LOVE the Spirit that is present. There is so much power in the Priesthood. I could feel it so strongly that night. I enjoy hearing what things they are seeking extra help with, what Heavenly Father sees they are in need of, and hearing Nate put it all into words. He is such an amazing man. I know that the things he said came from Heavenly Father and that Nate is worthy and able to give those words to our kids. Makes me so happy to have that blessing in our lives. That the kids are able to have that comforting influence at the start of a new school year. That they will have those blessings to look back on and know that Heavenly Father is aware of them and their needs. That he loves them and wants what is best for them. And that he will be with them throughout the trials and successes of this new year. It's a relief to me that they will not be alone. I wish I could record them and type them all up and look at them everyday :). That would make me happy :). But remembering the Spirit that is always there is nice too :). 8-24-14
COSTA VIDA
My Mom invited Nate, Erika, Jack and I to lunch! It sure feels weird going places in the middle of the day with only two kids, but we had a nice time talking. Erika and Jack wandered around once they were done eating, hopefully nobody was too annoyed. It was nice little afternoon :). 8-26-14
SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL
Things were so much nicer today. I felt fine, got up at my usual 5:00 and had things ready and going for the kids by the time they woke up. I enjoy that feeling of being prepared :). Charity and her friend Emily tricked me into driving them today, but everyone else rode their bikes. Felt pretty normal to walk out and hug them goodbye before hopping onto their bikes. It's so weird that summer is over, still. But things feel alright :). They all had more to tell about school and the second day. Charity had a little more homework, Kelly had some. Brad and Noah seemed more relaxed about their teachers and their days. Although cute little Noah said that his teacher had asked them to write about their teacher and told them that they could say mean things if that's how they felt. Even though he feels like she's "kinda not" he wrote that she was "nice" just because he "didn't want to hurt her feelings". That's my sweet little Noah. I'm happy he tells me what he really feels though :). I hope things get better for him. Luke just about cracked me up with his "quiz" about his teacher. Apparently he was supposed to memorize (or study) the letter his teacher sent home a month ago because she quizzed them on it! Kinda funny if you ask me. And even funnier is that Luke completely BOMBED the quiz! Put goofy answers on most of the questions, and the rest just got completely wrong :). Makes me laugh. Let's hope that one doesn't count on his grade ;). jk. It was a nice evening though. Just the kids and I. We got jobs done, homework, and even played a little dodge ball in the back yard. Made me feel good. I miss my kids so much during the day!! 8-26-14
OGDEN TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE
For Mutual this week we went to the Ogden Temple Open House. I LOVE having the opportunity to look at the WHOLE temple and feeling the Spirit there. I especially love the little video before. I know that's not supposed to be the favorite part, but it's mine. I have a hard time not thinking about the fact that the building is not dedicated yet, and so it's not officially a "temple", so I'm sure I lose some of the feel because of that. I'd rather go after it's dedicated :). Having said that, I still had a really great time, especially hanging out with Amy :). She is so fun! I guess I kind of just laughed at her the whole time, because she had something stuck in her teeth and even flossing it with her hair didn't help :), but she's a lot of fun to be with. I enjoy being anywhere with the Young Women too. They make all things fun. That's teh cool thing about teenagers. I love teenagers. 8-27-14
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
I dislike Back to School Night for several reasons. Meeting the teachers is not one of them :). I really enjoyed having the chance to sit in my kids' classrooms, where they sit, and hear their teachers. I know they probably put on a show for the parents, but I got a good feel from most of my kids' teachers. I have felt so overwhelmed with all the different teachers (between all of my kids there are 12 this year!) and their rules and styles of teaching, how they communicate with the parents, what they expect of my kids... it's been a lot to take in for some reason. So the highlight of this school year, thus far, was sitting in Kelly's classroom listening to the answer to my prayers (aka: Mrs. Williams) talk about what she has planned for this year and what kind of a teacher she is. I seriously almost cried (my eyes welled up a few times) tears of joy for how pleased I am that Kelly has her this year. She and I needed a break. She is going to be such a breath of fresh air for Kelly and a nice little boost before Jr. High. Oh, words just can't express how grateful I am that she has a good teacher! It warms my heart :). The other teachers were great too, Luke's seems really sweet, I'm happy about that. Bradley's has a lot of fun things in store for him, he is going to run for Mayor of his class! Noah is learning how to adjust to someone who is nothing like Mrs. Piper... that's been a challenge, but she sounds like someone I can go to with problems if we need to. It's going to be a GREAT year! (For some reason I can't stop thinking about the girl that was trying to talk me into being PTA President next year... not sure why I'm hanging onto it...) 8-28-14
INDEXING TO BOAT
The Young Men and Young Women have been working on an indexing goal to earn the reward to go boating. They finally reached their goal of 2500 (Charity having the very most, over 1500, out of all the young women- Kelly having even more than that, but she didn't really count toward the goal). I wish I'd felt more like going, but once Saturday is here, I'm usually ready to get some housework done. Plus Nate worked the mid, so getting out of here at 7:00 wasn't really an option for me. I ditched it. Charity, however, got to go! She had a great time! She said she went on the tubes a few times and got to watch Amy doing cool tricks on one ski, and Debbie as well. Sounded like a lot of fun! I really wish I'd been able to go and at least try to get up again. It's been YEARS! Either way, it was a nice day for Charity. I'm glad she worked so hard and was able to go do that. I do wish she'd gotten her credit for having the most names, they accidentally announced a different winner in Sacrament meeting. It was nice of Rishelle to come and correct it for her :). Anyway- good times. 8-30-14
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