Mosiah 2:17

We had combined activity for Young Men/Young Women this last Wednesday. The Relief Society had put together four boxes of Thanksgiving food - including turkies, and the youth were asked to deliver them. One of them was picked up by a member of the ward and delivered, and the family that was supposed to get another one of the boxes was at the church. We just sent the box home with her. The third box was delivered to someone right in town. We loaded all the kids up in my first councilor's Suburban and let the kids carry the food to her.

After that we came back to the church and just sat around talking and laughing, and eating taco soup and donuts. It was very informal and a lot of fun. Sometimes just being with the youth that way is better than the formal actvivities or lessons.

When it was over Megan and I followed my first councilor out to the last recipient's house. This person is not active, but she was really happy to see us and we had a wonderful visit! We left feeling like she was ready for visiting teachers, and maybe even invites to church activities!

King Benjamin taught that when we are in the serbvice our fellowmen we are in the service of our God. When we lose ourselves in the service of others we truly find ourselves. What a great evening!

Wild and Crazy!

Jarom had a basketball game in Onalaska Tuesday night. It was wild and crazy! Our JV team lost by twenty points; Onalaska kept the twenty point lead throughout the game. Jarom couldn't seem to hit the basket, but otherwise played well - especially on defense. Our Varsity girls played really well - it was neck and neck until the fourth quarter. They lost by fifteen points. The real story is the boys Varsity game!

It was a tense game - neck and neck the whole time, the refs were HORRIBLE, we had five or six fans thrown out of the gym, and we lost by two points in the last minutes of the game! My nerves were shot, but it was exciting!!! What a rush!

After the game we stopped with the bus in Livingston and ate at Whataburger. I haven't eaten there in about three years - it was good!

We got home and in bed at about one in morning. It was exausting, but fun, fun, fun!!!

Unexpected Road Trip

I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting and for some reason had the feeling to check my cell phone (I had it on vibrate). Heber had sent me a text message asking me to meet him in Huntsville after church. Megan and I actually ended up meeting him in Humble. Anyways...he was down for the weekend visiting Ashlei and Jace because he's going to deploy some time soon - this week or next. This will be his first deployment in two years. We had a great visit with the three of them. Jace is getting so big - he kept looking up at the planes as they passed overhead, playing with his dog, Lexy, and just being silly. He looked so happy - his little face was literally lit up! Ashlei still has to go to the hospital twice a week, but she's doing really well. I'm glad she and Jace can be together, but it breaks my heart that Heber is by himself, and that they are all separated. We had a little bonus come home with us - their little Pomeranian puppy, Minnie Fury! She's adorable - a tiny little fur ball!!!

Hoop Time!

We drove up to Brookland Tuesday night for Jarom's first basketball game. It was actually scrimmages, but still - it's basketball! He's playing JV this year - because he wants to. The coach has asked him to play Varsity, and he may actually even play a little of both, but for now he wants the playing time. I forgot my camera the other night, so I missed some good shots - especially of the THREE three-pointers he made! In the end he had eighteen of the twenty-seven points in the game!!! There's another scrimmage Friday night, so I'll have my camera ready!

Random Trivia

I grew up in Broome County - just outside of Binghamton - New York. Our little community of Conklin Forks was located not twenty minutes north of the NY/PA border and nestled in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. These are shots of the valley where I grew up - the place of my childhood. I used to run these hills and woods and creeks - the sky was the limit to the adventures I had. In the summer it was green and lush like these pictures show; in the fall brilliant colors of red, yellow, and orange painted the valley. I never took it for granted - the beauty. I used to climb up a hill near our house and just sit and soak it all in. I loved it, I miss it, I'm thankful for it.

Another Claire Weekend!

We had a wonderful weekend with Claire while her mommy and daddy went to the temple. As always, she was a joy! On Sunday our branch had its Primary presentation, and each time the kids stood up to sing Claire joined right in from her seat! She knows all the words to "I Am a Child of God"!!!

Not much happening these days. We have a new addition to the farm:

This is "Lammy Toes" - Megan's new pet! His breed is Suffolk, and this guy was a show lamb. Because he's neutered he's really only good to eat or to keep as a pet. Though he is probably worth at least several hundred dollars if not a couple of thousand - he was given to Megan. He's pretty cute - I can say we've never owned a sheep before!

Jarom has his first basketball game tonight - a scrimmage in Brookland. Here we go...! There's a new coach at the school this year, so he's pretty happy and having a good time. I'll have some pictures posted tonight or tomorrow I'm sure.

History in the Making

Wow!!! What a historic time we live in! Though I voted for John McCain, as an American I will support our president. I have to admit as I listened to part of his speech this morning I got choked up. My testimony is strengthened that we do live in the promised land - The United States of America - the land of the free!!! What a blessing; what a blessing to be free, to have the priviledge to vote, and for anything to be possible for any person who has a dream. My prayers are, as always, with our country and with our new president. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

Spring Fever in the Fall

I don't know what's wrong with me. It feels like Spring fever, but maybe I'm having a midlife crisis! All I know is that I feel restless and unsettled; I don't know what it is I'm looking for, or what it is I want - I just know I don't have it right now. Hhhmmm...

These last two weeks have been plagued with migraine headaches and the stomach flu - yuk. I saw the doctor Friday; he did X-rays and all seems to be well. I can basically go back to work when I get ready...I'm not ready!

Anyways...