A New Calling & Catching Up, Lots of Catchin UP

Hardly seems possibly that I have let so much time go by and have not posted an update So, this may be a bit long, but I will try and and catch all who are interested or follow or lives up on what's been going on.

Many know that I was serving as the Stake Primary President.  A calling that was one I learned to love and grow into if you will.  In late August I was released after three and one half years.  It was longer than most and I believe it was time for someone else to have the blessings of serving in such a wonderful organization.  I enjoyed one week of no calling and then was called into the Young Women's.  I have lived in this ward for just nine years and for 7.5 years of it I served in the Primary in leadership positions.  I am so excited to be in Young Women's.  It was always my dream to be put into this program when the girls that were in Primary would be in there and this is exactly what has happened.  I love these girls already.  They were little girls when I served as Primary President and now I can be with them as they are becoming lovely young women.  It is a dream come true and I am having a blast.  One of the fun activities that is a yearly tradition is Where's Waldo at the Gateway Mall.  It is where members of our ward are dressed up and you have to find them hiding in the mall and then take a picture of them.  It is fun activity, I have never gone.  My boys always tell me about it but I have never gone.  Here are some fun pictures of the night.

 These are the Haacke's.  They are a blast and we love having them in the ward. 

 Caleb and his posse, and a classic photobomb, awesome!!!

Stetson's first trainer that he met in Monterrey was Elder Erwin from Provo.  It would be his last transfer before completing his mission.  When he reported his mission we headed down to meet him.  We were so excited that Stetson sent packages home for everyone with handwritten letters to all of us.  Those are things you can not wait to get.  We loved meeting him and hearing stories of their adventures and knowing that he had just been with our brother and son.  He told us that Stetson was doing very well and his Spanish was great.  He was adjusting and the people love him.  We were not surprised at all.  Thank you so much Elder Erwin for taking such great care of our missionary and training him on how to be a great missionary just like you were.

Elder Erwin with all of us and the handwritten letter he sent me, I couldn't have been happier to know that it had been written by his hands not too long ago.  He sent notes and key chains with coins from Monterrey for everyone.  Even Abby got surprises.

Me and a few of the ladies from the ward were able to attend the Women's Broadcast at the Conference Center downtown.  It was a beautiful night and as we had given our tickets to the sister missionaries we had to go to the standby line we were able to go in and sit to the very front.  They were awesome seats.  So actually, we didn't too bad.  Afterwards we went to dinner at Olive Garden for dinner, but on the way back to our car I stopped and took a picture of the temple.  It was such a pretty night and the temple against the blue sky was an awesome site.  I loved being in the conference center and hearing about keeping our covenants.  Especially after I had needed to quit my fun BUNCO night that I have been doing for several years with my girlfriends due to my new calling in Young Women's.  I have always tried to be obedient and knew that I could not show up on that one Wednesday.  Made me grateful that I had made that decision.  I love being a member of our faith.  It was a wonderful evening.

My dad is once again running for the sewer board for Davis County.  With him not on Facebook or Instagram I told him I would take his picture and one of one of his signs and post on my timeline and let my friends know just who he was. So, you might say I'm his self appointed Campaign Manager. He is such a great guy.  He has been on the board for 15 years and done a fabulous job but this year there is another man contesting and so he will once again be on the ballot.  He used to be the first name on the list and now this time will be last.  Here's hoping no one will do the thing they say is common of picking the first two names.  So, vote for Burningham, vote for experience.  He is a great guy and if you know him, then you'll vote for him, guaranteed!

Well, that's the last of it.  We are all caught up.  Head to Elder Clayton's blog and see how's doing.  He is a great missionary and doing remarkably well.  We are so proud of him.

www.elderclaytoninmexico.blogspot.com

First Day of School & New Chairs with a Splash of Color

Well, it's back to school for only Caleb.  And thank heavens he still doesn't mind the annual first day of school picture.  This year I had him take one with me.  You will see that it is not easy to get one without some kind of funny face.  Love him.  He is so much fun, and a great kid.  It is hard being the youngest sometimes, he is home alone a lot with me at work.  But, he handles it well.  He tries to make me feel bad, but seriously, when I'm home he does the exact same thing if I wasn't here.  Hopefully, he will be getting a little job here soon, which would give him a little more to do with some of his "down" time.  There is never a dull moment with him around, that's for sure.

 Never serious...

 9th Grade, a Freshman...Holy Cow, where does the time go?

  Maybe this time...nope,

Finally...one to keep.  What a great kid!

These are the chairs I picked up at the Labor Day Sale at Pier 1.  I have seriously watched them since going there about three months ago.  But, the price was a little too steep.  Now, they were reasonable and we had a staff appreciation day last week where we given a bonus that the stipulation was we had to only spend it on ourselves.  So, that I did.  I love my house.  And I think these chairs say, Come on over, sit down, visit and stay awhile."  I hope so.  I'm keeping them...I've cut the tags off.

 I just love them!!!

Go Team Gavin - JDRK

Yesterday we walked for a cause.  My nephew Brandon's boy Gavin was diagnosed last year with Type 1 diabetes.  And what a year it has been for them.  Who would have thought that a healthy, active little guy would have been given such a challenge.  This little family has done so well however.  It is not without it's ups and downs.  But, I have never seen them complain and I think from my perspective have seen them handle it so well.  Brandon sent out an email asking for any who wanted to join in a walk for the cause to join, "Team Gavin" on Saturday, August 24 at Liberty Park.  Donations were made and as many as 6000 walkers.  It will now be something we will hope to join each year and become a tradition.  We gladly are members of Gav's team.  He's such a cute boy.  And he marched at the head of our team the entire way.  Love you pal.  Hopefully, they will find a cure!  He raised at last calculations $600.  Next year we will hope to double that.  Go Team Gavin!

 

 We will make this a yearly tradition.  Proud to be a part of Team Gavin!

 This is Gavin, we are walking for him:  Go Team GAVIN!

My cute grand niece Ali Jo...love this little gal!

Quest Reunion, Neighborhood Campout, 30 Year WX Class Reunion & Just Life in General

I guess it's time to catch up on what's been happening in our lives in the past few weeks.  Crazy busy, that's what.  Not complaining mind you.  If I was to choose, this is what I would pick.  I like things to be this way.  I find I'm happy when I'm doing things, serving others, doing things and having a good time makes time go by and life worthwhile.  So that is just what we have been doing.  We had our first Quest reunion with our tribe as Julia will be headed back to Virginia soon and we really wanted to let them know how much we loved being a part of their lives and just how much they touched ours, too.  We had nine of the twelve that were able to be there.  Each were given a picture of our tribe and we had SpankyS six foot sandwich, always a favorite, watermelon, chips, and cookies.  Our good friends the Berven's let us have it at their home where they have an awesome pool.  It took awhile for the kids to want to get them in the pool, which once they got in they, didn't want to get out.  The boys, that is.  The girls, just sat on the side.  Typical really.  But, we had such a good time.  We will have a holiday get together when Julia returns, but a fireside will be held in September where we will once again gather and see the results of a wonderful time at Camp Zarahemla. What a wonderful experience.  Here's the pictures from that fun night.

 Aren't they the best!!!

 Chloe & I taking a selfie...

 Babes on the side...

 Cameron & Luis, little blurry, but such good looking young men

Cute Chloe on the diving board!  Love her!!!

Didn't think I could lift her! Seriously?  

theBoM.com...they seriously are exactly that!

On to the NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPOUT...

Each year for the past eight Wayne & I have put together a campout and invited any who want to attend to come with us.  For about $100 or less all meals are provided, as well as, treats, desserts, good company, tubing down the river and all and all the best 2.5 days any one could ask for.  It seriously is so much fun.  We live in the best neighborhood.  Many ask why we do it.  And all I can say is Why not?  I love doing it.  I love to serve, I love the happiness on these peoples faces and I can and am able to do it.  It's really not that much work.  We travel with the STP's which many ask what the heck is that.  Well the STP's are the same ten people.  They are the doers.  The people that help.  They are the ones who do things.  They help take down chairs after the ward functions, or school functions, or clean up, or show up or, you get my point.  So that being said, we collect the $$$ and all our friends show up and help.  We eat good, we laugh, we have a good time and when it's all over we clean up and go home.  Friendships are stronger, and we plan to come back the next year and do it all over again.  And, here you go more pictures to prove just how much fun it is.  This year was fun and sad.  Bridger was back with us, but Stetson was not here.  But, it's not ending anytime soon.  As long as Wayne and I can do, it will continue.  So, mark your calendars, July 31-August 2, 2014; Perception Park.  You won't want to miss it...

 This is the real reason we go...to relax, and enjoy each others company!

Quest 2013 Stand Firm in Christ

This past week Wayne and I had the wonderful opportunity to go with the youth of our stake and be Tribal Leaders for our Youth Conference.  This year it was called Quest, Stand Firm in Christ.  The Book of Mormon was brought to life through reenactments which the youth of our stake did and it was amazing.  They have been practicing it for months and the costumes, props and recordings were spectacular. This was a life changing event, not just for the youth, but for everyone.  Including myself.  We have had monthly meetings to prepare us for this and we were asked at the first of the year to read the Book of Mormon to get ready.  The last couple of weeks I have been listening to the audio version of the reenactments that would be happening so I would be spiritually ready as well.  As I started to listen and get the wristbands, journals, and headbands prepared I started to get a little anxious that maybe we weren't what these kids needed and I prayed earnestly that we would be ready for what was to take place. I had asked how many to prepare for and with the uncommitted kids they kept getting ones who were going then not and such they kept telling us to prepare for 8-10.  So, I made 12 of everything.  Which would be enough for 8-10 kids and give Wayne and I each one, too.

When we arrived at Camp Zarahemla we were given our list of 10 kids and then they had a couple of kids that could we possibly add to our list...and yes we would be happy to.  Coincidence that I had prepared 12, I would say no, meant to be.  We lovingly called our tribe, "the Breakfast Club" as we had such a unique group.  And as we soon learned, there is not a one of them we could not have been without.  Our tribe name was theBoM.com.  For the Book of Mormon.  We loved our tribe from the minute we met them.

We watched as Lehi led his family from their home into the wilderness and how Nephi's brothers mocked and taunted him and how he loved the Lord and never doubted.  How the Nephites laid down their weapons and promised to not fight and how the Lamanites were off to battle them, I at that time was a Lamanite and how touched I was to have to fight them, and I couldn't.  As tears filled my eyes,  it was so sad.  It mad it seem so much more real and brought so much more meaning of how much their commitment and religion and love of God meant to them and the Stripling Warriors as they had a choir sing to the army as they did not doubt as their mother's knew.  So touching.  And off they marched as Helaman told them to go off to battle we went and off to the battle field and they all survived.  But, the most touching was the faith walk as we blindfolded each tribe member and took them all around the camp stopping to read scriptures of the destruction before the coming of the Savior and then putting at the base of a hill and having them remove the blindfold.  The song, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" being sung as the Savior appears.  Then the words been read of his coming and His Father from above being heard of this is my beloved Son.  Then He came into the crowd to touch and let the kids feel Him.  It was the most amazing and so real thing,  Our group was on the back row, which was unfortunate, but it made us all realize that is not were we want to be when he comes again.  We want to be closer to Him.  And that even though he had to go.  He never leaves us.  He lives and is with us. Always if we choose.  It was such a special event.  Our tribe all gave us such wonderful hugs after it was over and then went off to their individual wards to have testimony meetings.  Oh, if only we could have been there to witness what they felt.  But, I know that we did not need to be there to see what was felt.  We all felt it.  This is an experience I will cherish forever and am so grateful to be apart of.  Thank you, Luis, Courtney, Cameron, Chloe, Austin, Kayla, Mykena, Nicole, Adam, Josh, Julia, Kyra, you are now a part of our family.  We love you as our own!

I hope that we might have been a little beneficial in changing or bettering your life in someway, but I sure hope that they know that they for sure changed mine!

theBoM.com

Guiding the ship with Lehi and his family

Likenings 

Burning of Abinidi who would not deny his testimony of Christ

Waters of Mormon

Stripling Warriors

Army of Helaman

Playing in the River

 Mykena

 Courtney

 Josh

 Adam

Luis, Austin, Adam

Kayla

Nicole

Julia

Cameron

Last gathering - our tribe front row and a couple behind us

This is how we all felt when we got home, but it was such a wonderful feeling.  I am hopeful he is dreaming of Nephi, Helaman, Ammon, Moroni and of our Savior.  It was an amazing and awesome experience.