Serving and talking

I can't believe how excited I was to receive my "official" name tag. It makes serving that much more real (and we can just walk anywhere we want) These are our two "girls" that we had for the first lesson, the first day....and they were our first missionaries. They were unbelieveable and somehow we just connected with them. For the next few weeks we would look for them at lunch (I could give them hugs) and they cam to see us in immunizations. We knew they were leaving for Mississippi on Wednesday and we tried to get there early just in case we could find them. But we couldn't. Our thoughts and prayers will be with these two beautiful girls. I told them that they are going to convert Mississippi!!! Steve said they should just make an appointment with the govenor and plan for a mass baptism. Their testimonies are strong, and sweet, innocent and powerful! They will change lives. I hope we hear from them (they have our email)....because we will write them, support them and since Linny is coming home...I need someone to send silly decorations for Halloween and Christmas.

Kaity called me last night and we ended up talking for over an hour and a half. We talked about everything...serious, spiritual, funny, sad, important and silly. It made my night (I think it was a blessing I received for serving)....really. She is so important to me, and I'm sure she has no idea how much I love her. I feel very blessed that she will "talk" to me and even listen when I say things that she may not like....although that's few and far between. Her relationship with Lloyd is a struggle for her, but I have faith in her decisions. His being a non member has made her study, pray and be determined to understand for herself WHY she believes what she has always been taught. I know the spirit is working through her and guiding her each step....and even more important, I know she's listening to what is being said. I have 110% faith in any decision she makes...and I hope she knows that no matter what path she chooses....I will support her and love her with all my heart. She's attending a Missionary Prep class (which made me so excited) She has such a sweet spirit and testimony and is such an example to others. She's kind and good and wants to do what's right. What an amazing missionary she would make. She would, as she already has, change lives just by being who she is. I've been smiling all day after that great phone call!

Called to serve

I'm not smart enough to figure out how to post pictures to my ldsjournal.com....so I'm hoping I can post pictures here and eventually get this info over to the journal. Ah, the technology of today..sometimes it's just too much.

Steve and I were officially called as service missionaries today...and we were set apart. It was the most wonderful experience. The entire stake presidency and our Bishop Thompson was there. They are each such nice and kind men. President Sohm set Steve apart and gave him a beautiful, beautiful blessing. Bishop Thompson set me apart and also gave me a wonderful blessing. I was so hesitant to do this...but what a blessing it is proving to be. I thought I understood the missionary program after sending out 5 kids....but really...I didn't have any idea. I hope with all my heart, that I can make Heavenly Father proud of me by serving his young elders and sisters. All I want to do is put my arms around each of these missionaries and tell them how proud the Lord is of them and what they are doing. They are amazing young men and women and the spirit at the MTC is off the chart!!! I already don't want to be released...I don't want this spirit to leave.

I posted twice about Christmas because I'm not smart enough to post the pictures correctly...anyhow....there's lots of the same stuff about Christmas 2009!

Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas. Had Christmas Eve dinner at Steve and Lisa's. It was wonderful, as usual...and since a lot of the kids were with in-laws, it was kind of a nice, quiet evening. Bonnie and Larry were there, and it is so nice to be able to attend family functions with them. It makes it so much nicer for the kids and grandkids to see ex spouses get along...and to have all their Grandmas and Grandpas in the same room. I will forever be grateful to Bonnie and Larry for the kindnesses they have always shown to my kids and to me. They are an example of how to be....and I admire them beyond words.

Christmas day started out with us sleeping in (it was GREAT!)....we had already given each other our gifts (I gave Steve money towards a gun...duh!) and he gave me an iphone (WOW!) and a wonderful new washer and dryer (I could watch the bells and whistles for hours)...then we made our famous Spanish omlette that we used to eat all the time...but hadn't made for years. We actually pretty much remembered how to do it and it was wonderful.

Christmas dinner....our usual Mexican fare and of course, everyone was here. It was hectic, crazy and lots of fun. I wouldn't trade those times with our family for anything. I missed Erin so much this year. I hated having her go through her first alone Christmas....by herself...but she is strong and did just fine. She was happy to have the holiday season over. I know how hard those times are, but I also know that it will make her stronger, braver and give her the confidence that she can do anything that comes her way! She is a brave young woman and she is a hero in my eyes.

Then a couple of days later, we had our annual grandkids sleepover. Now, that was crazy and hectic. Even Clara came and stayed....and managed to stay up as late as the big kids. Granddad watched the movie Batman Begins with the older kids and I played restaurant and dressup with the younger ones. We had appetizers, pizza from The Pie, made cookies and popcorn and made finger pancakes in the morning. We had hoped to be able to go to the ditches and go sledding, but the weather was pretty crummy so we just stayed in and played. It was lots of fun and I know it's a good thing for the cousins to get together and play. We missed having Linny and Kaity....and of course, Ashley had to take care of baby Max (gosh, those girls are all grownup now)....but as they grow...we add great grandkids...so it always works out!!