Missionary Moment

That evening we had smores and burned school papers!

We have had an incredible experience this past month or so sharing the gospel with our friends and neighbors Dave and Denise. I guess the sharing started well over a year or so ago when we became closer friends. Anyhow, just last Saturday they were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I did not have my camera that day so I need to get pictures from them to post. They have had so much support from our Bishop, the ward, missionaries, RS, High Priests, friends from work, and recent converts from the past few years. It really was an amazing experience. We have grown so much in our own testimonies. They are great people and so excited to serve and to be involved. The very next day after their baptism - the day they received the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Stk had asked Dave to speak at a multi stake new member fireside! He did a great job too!

Hard things

Some things in life are just hard to understand. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ which keeps things in perspective.

What a weekend!

Todd took Friday off. Partly because the kids had the day off school and partly because he has been working so much overtime on the weekends lately. He got his car's oil changed, emissions done and registered. Something that I had told him that I'd help with but didnt get to it. I slept in actually. I have been fighting a cold. I really thought that it was allergies - but no it wasnt in the end. Colds are so draining! Anyhow, Todd requested that we go to the canyon for a little hike ( I didnt hike as far as Todd and the dogs.) It was such a beautiful warm day and the leaves were turning. I sat and watched the kids play in the creek/ waterfall area that we love. They were soaking wet but had a great time. We came home and ate lunch. Then Todd and I went to the temple with many of our ward members. Our ward friends and neighbors, Brett and Lydia went throuhg the temple for the firt time.Lydia was baptized just a year ago. It was so wonderful to be there!! That night Brandon left for a campout.

Saturday morning Trevor left early for the same campout with his Webelos leader. Christen had a birthday party to go to and Todd and I headed for the temple again to see our same friends sealed as a family with their children. It was incredible. The spirit was so strong and it was so neat to be there with our ward family. I always choke up when they bring in the kids. Their little boy waved at me. It was the cutest thing. We are so blessed to have such a GREAT ward!!

After that Todd got a ride home and I had a few minutes to prepare myself for the funeral of Brooke, the girl I mentioned in the previous posts. I sat outside the temple by the fountain and took some pictures of the temple grounds. The flowers are amazing right now.

I drove to the church and met up with the other stake ladies. There was a beautiful display of pictures, bright flowers, scrapbooks, buttons with her picture on them, and memories from classmates and primary children. I never actually got to see her last week because I ran out to look for the ambulance. The service was incredible. The father gave a wonderful eulogy and told fun and mischievious memories as well as fond, precious moments with their little girl. It really was heartbreaking, but the family were such a great example of strength and faith in the gospel plan. I held it together for the most part until there was a solo that was performed of Families can be Together Forever, but he had changed the words up a bit to fit it from Brooke's perspective now. Our Presidency all gave eachother a group hug at the end and we went on our seperate ways.

(A few of you asked what actually happened to Brooke. Shee had been sick with croup and some other bronchial infection the last few weeks and had antibiotics etc, getting over it ok. They had ridden their bikes to church, which apparently they often do. She was just fine for the first 2 1/2 hours of church and then went out to get a drink of water and collapsed there from a massive asthma attack. Her mom was her Primary teacher and she and the dad were both at the scene instantly. It was decided that if it had happened at any other time -like at school, on a field trip, at a friends house or whatever, both parents would not have been able to be there. She died after beng at church, singing primary songs, taking the sacrament, being together as a family.)

From there I went straight to Todd's band concert at the library. I met Todd's parents there and Christen showed up there from her party. He did a great job! This is such a great hobby for him! We came home and had a BBQ. After the folks left I went to the RS general broadcast at the stk ctr. It was so awesome!! It was a great finish to a pretty emotional and busy day. I cant wait for Conference next week.

Today we had a nice normal Sunday together. Originally, we thought we may be helping out PM ward primary with whatever they needed after their tragedy, but they requested to do it on their own. I think I was traumatized a but because I kept mentioning to Todd and the ladies that I was there with that I hoped all of our Primary kids got home safe. We actually couldnt find Brandon for a bit because his class got out late and that freaked me out!

Ok that is it for now.

My Last Two Days

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to visit a ward Primary program. (It was not my own ward.) With my calling I will be going to 9 Sacrament programs in the next 2 months! I was so impressed! Everything went so smoothly and the children were very reverent. They also made very meaningful comments and testimonies. The music was wonderful. Afterward, I got to meet the Primary president. What an inspirational woman! Unfortunately we missed visiting with the children because they have their Sacrament meeting last. We hope to speak with them next week.

As we were chatting with the Primary president all of the sudden there was a scurry in the hall and people were asking if anyone was a nurse or doctor because there was a child not breathing. We were frantic! Immediately we called 911 and two women began CPR. The girl was from another ward and their Primary was just finishing up. Luckily, the primary children did not know what was going on. The girl collapsed in the hallway. I ran outside to flag down the ambulance. The hospital is about 5 or so minutes away. The EMTs came and took over. They worked on her for quite a while without leaving. Then they finally left for the hospital. Our Stk Primary President went to the hospital to be with the mother and father. Blessings were given and prayers were offered. The ward was just finishing up so we were grateful that we were there at that time to be able to support the family until the ward could take over. I went home with the ladies that I drove and we waited anxiously to hear any news. The girl was air lifted to another hospital and as the helicopter left the Ward RS Pres and Counsellor arrived to take their responsibilities from there. We were all so concerned and the 2 ladies that I drove home were pretty shaken because they had seen the drama unfold while I was outside at a distance. All we could do was wait.

There was a Stk Youth fireside that Brandon was supposed to go to. I needed to divert my mind so I took Brandon to the Standards Fireside. It was excellent and I was so glad we went. It reminded me of all of those youth firesides I attended! News had spread and they prayed for the family at the fireside. When I got home I got a phone call that the girl was not doing well at all. She had been deprived of enough oxygen needed for so long. She had been sick the last few weeks but had been cared for and had antibiotics.

I didnt sleep well at all last night. I just felt the sorrow of that young family. As I was getting the kids ready I got a call to substitute at the kids' school. Not in the plans, but I decided to take it. It was 6th grade Social Studies and Language Arts. The day went pretty well but every time I had an extra moment free without students I was drawn to the big window that faced the playground. I saw so many happy children playing and laughing happily, and so carefree. All I could think about and pray for was that sweet little child of God and her family. When I got home I got another phone call that said that it was still very questionable and decisions would be made soon. It is all so sad, and yet with the gospel knowledge that we have it seems that things no matter how they turn out it will be ok in the eternal perspective. My president mentioned that when she was in the waiting room with the parents initially there was such a peaceful calm in the room. The mother was crying, but there seemed to be an understanding that they would be taken care of no matter what.

More later. . .