Stake Conference

Today was our semi annual Stake Conference. I love it. I find it very refreshing to have a couple of hours to hear words of wisdom from our local leaders. I am fortunate enough to be able to know our entire Stake Presidency due to my calling in the Stake Primary. Some people think that Stake Conference is a "free" Sunday to skip church. Their loss. I have never been sorry I go. Today was no exception.

Seems like their is always an almost theme to the meeting. Maybe there isn't but to me the theme today was Family. President Gardner talked about the Fiery Darts that are attacking the family and how important it is to not let them in our homes. He reminded us of the important messages found in the Proclamation to the Family. President Farnes talked about three things to help us as parents: 1. Listen to our children. Even perhaps having a one on one often to just listen to what they have to say. 2. Leave the storm at the door. Do not bring things into our home that are harmful and not good for anyone. And 3. Be an example to our children. If we want our kids to do what is right, we have to be an example of what we expect of them. He also gave the three things for the kids to follow: 1. Listen to your parents, 2. Put your coat on before you enter the storm and 3. be an example. I loved his talk. He always says such wonderful things and relates personal stories of his family and the things they teach him. President Webster, our Stake President talked in depth about the importance of reading the scriptures, family prayer and then gave the entire stake a president's blessing. He blessed that our families would be protected and if we would do these things he mentioned our families would be blessed.

I always leave with the desire and committment to be better. I can always improve on the things I am supposed to be doing. And who doesn't want the blessings promised if we do what was asked?

I'm so glad we were there today. It was a wonderful meeting.

Arizona, I Have an Awesome Job

This last week my job took me on a work "vacation" conference to Arizona. I know rough, right? It was a pretty hard assignment heading to 70-75 degree weather in the midst of freezing January in Utah. We went to the Damon Forum which is the type of brackets we use in our office. I have a wonderful job. So glad I trusted in the promptings to take a leap of faith and change careers. Truly a great decision. Here are a few of the pictures that show you just how awesome it is there.

I hope we have to go again soon...

Singing in the Rain

Each week I email Bridger a letter and anxiously await hearing from him and seeing what happened during his week as he reads what has happened in ours. I still try to send him a written letter about every 2-3 weeks. These letters are usually little bits of advice or things from his life that brings back memories that I write about that may or may not help him when he receives the letter...no matter how long it takes to get him. No time letter, so it doesn't mean anything if it takes a long time to get there. So, today I pulled out a piece of paper and began my letter. I thanked him for taking time to write a letter to his dad. There is nothing that is more exciting than opening the mailbox and finding a letter from Elder Clayton. Bonus mail day in my opinion. So, I told him about that. How excited his dad is when he got that and even more so when he tells his friends and collegues about his son. Then I told him how much I love the picture he sent of him in his rain outfit/coat. As I was writing about it and everytime I think or see the picture I find myself singing the song, "Singing in the Rain" and remembering how happy it makes me as I hear the words in my mind. Today it made me think also about how in life, rain is always going to happen. Our job is to be able to learn how to sing and dance in it. Thank you Elder Clayton for teaching me a such a valuable lesson with such a fun picture.

December 2011

This was definately a different year with Bridger serving in Honduras. However it was awesome to get to talk with him. He was able to talk for about three hours that came and went all too quickly. He sounds awesome. Has an accent and spoke to us in Spanish we sounds amazing. It is a testimony to me how blessed he is to learn the language so quickly and be doing well. Here's a few of the pictures of the happenings that took place this month, most of the pictures are from my phone so they may be a little blurry, but my camera was having issues...

There's a picture or two of me as I'm never in any of them and so Caleb helped me out, and also the one of Zoie talking to Bridger on the phone. She didn't say much but her tail was sure wagging. She is still waiting for him after all...

Christmas Card Colliage

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is gettting the mail. I love sending Christmas cards and I love even more going to the mailbox each day and receiving them from our family and friends. I know with technology the way it is, so many are doing email or blogging their lives and foregoing cards...not me! I will always send them. It helps me to say thank you and let those people who are dear and close to our hearts know we are thinking of them, not just at Christmas but all year long. If I forgot to send you one this year, let me know as we are so blessed to have you in our lives. It wasn't intended...I promise.

Feliz Navidad

Sister Veirs posted some pictures on the mission blog and I was so excited to see a Christmas greeting with Bridger in the group. He looks so great and so very happy. Can't wait to talk to him...won't be long now. My chain is really, really short.

Christmas Tunes

Seriously is there anything better than they are. When I need to deep clean, need a pick me up or just to make me smile. Be it July or the day after Halloween, I love to listen to them. And come to find out Bridger is exactly the same. Enjoy the new playlist. Who knows it may be up for awhile.

He did get a few things from me after all. Some days I just miss him more than ever. Today is one of them...