Behind the wheel.

I have been nagging Josh to get two merit badges for over a year. Last month he asked about learning how to drive. I told him if he got those two badges done, I would take him to the church parking lot and let him get behind the wheel. 

His dad has been letting him back the car out of the garage for a while now. 

This week he met with the merit badge counselor and passed off his badges and turned them into his scoutmaster. He fulfilled his part of the bargain. 

So today, I finished the book I was reading, Micheal Vey - a bit upset that I have to wait for the fourth book to be published, and we went to the church. The parking lot was totally empty.  Josh was a bit nervous, but excited. 

I had him drive from the back parking lot to the side several times. The biggest distractions were the light poles. He stayed well away from them. After a bit I had him do figure eights usung the light poles as the vertices. He was freaked out a bit, but he settled into it well. Then I had him back up straight and do a U-turn. A bit scarey, but he did well. 

I took a picture to send to his dad. 

He is not a fan of the camera, but he didn't really have a choice here. 

We went for pizza, and he can't wait for the next time. 

Last Week of School

I worked at Boaz's school for the last week of school. That meant I got to take Boaz to school every day that last week. I was in the room just across the room from Boaz's class. 

Two of the four days were pure party days. Wednesday we went to water park. I had to run heard on 17 fifth graders. I was a bit nervous making sure I had all students present and accounted for. I watched Boaz go around and around the lazy river.  I got in for one turn around.  I didn't get the camera out. I don't know why I do that. 

The next day the fifth graders took the whole school through a track day. The school was raising money for cancer survivors. One of the students, and a member of our ward family is a second grader who is fighting cancer. He was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of melanoma. He is in good shape right now. His six month check up was good. We are all praying for him for his next check up. I was out in the morning and then gave up my place to the other teachers. I hung out with the other fifth grade teacher. We finished outside with the students as they ran the victory lap and Popsicles. The students raised over $170.00 just by bringing in change. 

The last day was filled with a huge assembly. Boaz received an award for being a junior librarian. Usually the fifth graders get the recognition, but because we are moving and won't be back next year, they gave him the certificate as a fourth grader. 

Our school librarian got super sick back in February. Nobody knew what was wrong. She saw every doctor they could think of in South East Idaho and finally about six weeks ago went to Salt Lake City to the University of Utah Hospital. She was diagnosed with a very rare migraine that caused nuerological issues. She is having to learn to walk again. She came the last day of school. She was usung a walker. She kept her sun glasses on, I don't know if she has a light sensitivity. She was very active and heath conscious. It is crazy the health issues that our little community has had this year. 

Boaz is happy to be done with his fourth grade year. I am happy to be done also. 

I am also grateful for my healthy boys. 

I missed any pictures of Josh on the last day. 

Middle School Awards

It is the longest, hottest, most stuffy 90 minutes of the year. But I went because Josh was playing in the band and he was getting awards. 

I was glad I still had my red fan from Spain in my purse. I don't know how the other parents endured it. Honestly I don't know how Josh endured it in the band jacket. The fan was a little miracle of moving air in the crowded room. 

Josh got a participation award for cross country and for track. To celebrate the cross country award, he jogged up to receive the certificate. He didn't repeat the display for track. It showed a bit more maturity than I thought he had to refrain from repeating a successful stunt and making it stale with the repitition. 

He was on the High Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA. Something I never accomplished, and an honor he almost lost because he forgot two math assignments. Small miracle right there. 

But his favorite award was in band. The teacher gave out the section awards: brass, winds, and percussion and then he gave out two over all awards. Josh got the John Philips Sousa Award. Very cool. 

The gym cleared out while they were playing the last song, so I snuck in and got a picture while he was playing. 

It's fun to watch him play because he gets into the music. His head bops or his body sways or he shimmies a bit to the music. 

Small side note, a blond girl sitting just behind me and off a bit to the side yelled out, "That's my boy!" I have no idea who she is. I asked Josh, but he didn't even hear her say it. I want it clearly known, that he is MY boy, young hussies not withstanding. 

The shortest I've ever been

I've been frusterated with my hair. It's summer, and I decided to go short. 

It's short. 

I like it. :)

Fitness pack meeting.

We had to divide and conquer this past week. Craig went with Josh to his band concert, and I went with Boaz to his Pack meeting. 

It was his first pack meeting as a Webelos scout. A very proud moment. 

After the awards were passed out, and two Arrows of Light celebrated, the kids got to run a relay. 

A few pictures of the event. Some are blurry, but it was a race after all. 

Boaz taking off. He put his whole soul into the event. 

He had to shoot a Nerf bullet into the 5 gallon bucket target. He made it first shot. 

Getting across the court on a scooter. He went for the backward method. His feet pushing instead of pulling. 

His scooter abandoned, he then did 10 push-ups. I think his form is amazing. 

High stepping through six hoops. 

Next is 10 sit-ups. Rachel told him to go faster and he did. I've never seen a faster 10 sit-ups. 

The reward was getting to eat a healthy snack at the end. They had to eat either a grape or a tomato and then either a carrot or broccoli. He was the only one who ate all four. He got some comments on his love for tomatoes, but he was happy to gobble them up. 

In fact, he hung out at the veggie table and totally skipped the brownies. I grabbed two brownies as we left. Somebody had to eat them, right?

Idaho Falls Color Run

Josh and his friend, Seth, decided to run the 5K color run. I didn't get many pictures. It was a bit chilly and the wind was blowing. I was blown away by all the people that showed up. I was people watching more that picture taking. 

I got a shot of the group that was running with Josh.

I was on the wrong side of the crowd. 

I got a shot of the people that ran by just after Josh raced past. 

I didn't get a picture of Josh as we cheered him close to the finish. 

I didn't get a picture of him and Seth after the race. 

I found him and his dad at the car and Craig pointed out a little girl, maybe 4 years old, who was sitting down on the curb lost. It's easier to trust a woman, so I gave Craig the iPad and went and got the little girl to take to the radio people who had the sound system going. Craig was given the instruction to get a picture. Josh allowed the picture, because he was informed that I had paid for the event. 

The little girl was successfully reunited with her parents.  I was struck with how easy it would be to steal her. She was afraid of me, but she let me take her through the crowd of people because I promised her I would help her find her mommy. I tried to explain my plan so she would know where we were going, but she came with me with no fuss. 

Her mom was very relieved to collect her. The little girl was very happy to see her mommy. I was left a bit traumatized at how easy it is to loose a kid, and how easy it is to get a kid to follow a stranger through a crowd of people. 

I went back to the car and we headed home. 

This is the picture I came back to. 

I am a bit in awe of how big he has grown. He is no longer my little boy. He is getting closer and closer to being a man. 

Of course he will always be my little boy, but only I will see him that way anymore. 

Landmark day

After months of protecting his various stray facial hair, Josh decided it was time to learn how to shave. Craig was home this week , and yesterday, while I was gone, Craig documented the moment. 

Using Grandpa's electric razor, Josh relinquished his facial hair. 

He is a bit sad, because he can't play with it anymore. 

His dad was there to coach him to get all the important places. 

Learning about the sideburns. 

When I came home, I didn't notice right away. I had to be prompted to see the obvious difference. 

My baby is growing up. 

Dreams

I can remember two dreams from last night. 

In one I had teeth full of chicken and I was flossing and flossing and flossing.  It never got any better. At one point, my floss was like an organza ribbon. Not very helpful. 

In the other dream, I was baking and decorating a cake. It took all day. I had layers and filling and frosting stacked up forever. 

I told Craig this morning. He said, "So, if I give you a cake mix, I can make all your dreams come true."

Josh found a hat

This is the hat that Craig bought for Halloween to be the Skipper from Gilligan's Island. 

I had to chase his around the house to get a good picture. 

I think he looks pretty good. 

First Sunday

The first Sunday after I was released, I went to Relief Society. I stopped just inside the room. I didn't know where to sit. My friends were sitting up in front and I no longer belonged there. 

I felt lost, I didn't know where to sit or who to sit by. My sweet friend, Melissa, noticed my confusion and invited me to sit by here. I felt instant relief. I had a friend to sit by. 

It made me remember to be more sensitive to visitors and new members. 

Now I just need to arrive a bit earlier so I can pick a seat before the room fills up. 

Pictures from last summer.

I took pictures from this event, but mine were terribly blurry. I was not really happy with the out of focus shots, so they didn't end up in the blog. 

I recently came across these clear pictures ans decided to do a bit of backtracking. Good friends need to be celebrated. 

Josh and his friend from 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Then we moved away. That just means that he has friends in different parts of the country (right now the world, because Dalton is in Mexico this year.)

Showing off the muscles. 

I look at this picture and see crooked glasses.

Cutie boys. 

I forgot I had this picture.

I have to post this picture. Such a cute boy. 

Delighted to be at Grandma's house. 

Happy birthday, Boaz. 

Carl's graduation from Law School

Because of the track meet, we weren't able to attend. The ceremony began at 9 am. Spokane is at least eight and a half hours away. I am way past being able to be up all day and then drive all night when I am the only driver. 

But Willa went and posted some pictures. 

I am so proud of Carl. He went back to school and completed his dream that he had abandoned when he was younger. 

Willa got some cute pictures of Carl and his youngest son, Ethan. Cooper is in Peru on his mission. 

I love the tilted mortarboard. 

With the Gonzaga Law School in the back ground. 

Go Carl!!!

Track Conference

Josh ran four events this year in conference. It was a two day event. 

Thursday was a beautiful day. I even got my first little sun of the year. 

He had one event. The mile. 

He started out the year with a time of 6:41.  He wanted to break into the fives. 

He had been inching up on it all season. But Thursday he shattered it. Best personal time. 5:44.

We stopped for ice cream to celebrate. 

Now he has a goal to beat 5:30 before the school year is over. 

The thing I love about track, is he is basically competing against himself. If he can improve his time, he is a success.

Friday was a completely different day. It had been raining all day. However, we are not in Oregon and the rain blew over but the blowing never stopped. 

It was cold, cloudy, and windy. I didn't enjoy sitting on the bleachers. I didn't enjoy the wind. Boaz and I were happy for our blankets. 

Josh ran the 800, the 400 and the 4X4 relay. The 4X4 was the last race of the meet. He did well in all the races. But he didn't bring clothes to wear under the flimsy uniform. I had brought chicken, but it was more than an hour until he could come up and eat it. I watched him down on the field worried about his dinner and his wardrobe. 

I was happy when we could leave. It was close to 8 pm and we were happy knowing it was Friday and we didn't have to get up for school the next day. 

We tracked down some hot chocolate to warm up our insides. 

So we are done with track for the year. He busted his mile and showed well in his other races. 

BYU boy

Here's the cutie boy with his BYU outfit. 

I want him to feel affiliated with that school. 

What a cutie face. 

Matching shirts

Josh has really gotten into bright colors. 

I bought them matching shirts. 

Can you see Boaz stretching to measure up? One day he'll catch him. 

What a day that will be. 

I didn't get a good picture of Boaz on his birthday. I just didn't get the camera out. But my baby is now firmly in the double didgets. 

He has been to his first Webelos meeting. He is now the proud owner of a BYU shirt. He's wearing it today. I should have snapped a picture before he went to school. He only has two more years to wait until he can enter the temple. 

As the younger sibling, he is constantly straining to get where Josh is. I feel a bit sad that he doesn't get to enjoy the accomplishment of double didgets as much. It's just a marker to where he is headed. 

One year out

I think she is beautiful. 

I do miss this girl. 

Released

I knew it was coming. I have known for over a week. 

But still when my name was read in Sacrament Meeting, I was almost surprised. 

I was sad. 

I know I have no new calling coming. 

I don't know how long I will still be here. 

I taught my last lesson and people were lining up to say good bye. 

I will still be here for a while. 

I felt a bit like a fraud. 

I don't know all what I felt. 

I am still a visiting teacher. I need to hold on to that and be faithful. 

Today I was released. 

I forgot to post the picture

Boaz and his glasses.

Faith to Move Forward

Faith requires action.

Sometimes that action is easy and logical.

This type of faith may be reading our scriptures everyday. Praying morning and night. Attending our meetings. Paying out tithing. Doing our visiting and home teaching faithfully.

In Alma 32:27-29, we can read about the experiment of planting the seed of faith. First we must clear a space and then plant the seed. We need to care for it and it will begin to grow. The growing of the seed would increase your faith.

The easy and logical actions that accompany faith will nourish the seedling and allow it to grow stronger and larger.

The Doctrine and Covenants say: ". . . as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit." (6:14)

And further down in that section the Lord counsels Oliver on how to gain a further witness; ". . .if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" (22-23)

There is another kind of faith. A faith that requires us to act when it difficult and illogical.

There is a story in the Old Testament about a king. Hezekiah was the king of Judah. The Northern Kingdom had already fallen to the Assyrians and the Ten Tribes had been carried and lost to history. Hezekiah's entire kingdom, save the city of Jerusalem had already fallen to the invading Assyrian army. No other nation had ever survived an attack from this army. Hezekiah took his problem to the Lord, and He spoke peace to the soul of this king.

Part of the answer from the Lord was directed to the invading Assyrian king. The Lord tells him, "Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest." (Isaiah 37:29)

The God of Hosts spoke and in the morning a good portion of the invading army was dead. The packed up and left. In essence returning Hezekiah's kingdom to him.

Another story about a difficult and illogical faith involves one of my favorite moments in the Old Testament. Elisha has been identified as a protector of Judah. An invading army targets him. Elisha's servant sees the surround army and is afraid. Elisha sees this fear and comforts him.

"Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." (2 Kings 6:16-17)

It is difficult to see with our spiritual eyes and see the Heavenly protection. This type of faith is evidence of a much stronger faith.

This tree is growing and capable of giving fruit. It is strong and can withstand storms.

This faith can mature into faith that can accomplish the impossible.

I have just finished reading the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament. One of the stories stood out to me. Joshua is getting ready to take the Camp of Israel across the Jordan River and begin the campaign of taking the Promised Land.

The Levites carry the Arc of the Covenant right up to the water's edge. The river was swollen and fast. In chapter 3 we read, "And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priest that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap." (vs 13)

The priests were required to get the soles of their feet wet before the water stopped and a path was cleared.

This is clearly impossible.

But it happened.

Another story of an impossible thing accomplished by faith is the story of Lazarus. Lazarus had been dead for four days before Jesus came to his sorrowing sisters. The institute manual tells of a tradition that the Jews had that the spirit lingered by the body for three days hoping to reenter it. After the third day, the spirit left, never to return. Perhaps the reason Jesus waited the four days related to this tradition. We don't really know. What we do know is that the decomposition process would have been well under way after four days. There was no refrigeration to slow the progress of decay.

It was impossible that Lazarus would revive and come out of the grave whole and healthy, and yet he did.

I believe that we live in a time where we might be required to have the faith to do impossible things. The tree of our faith might be required to withstand hurricanes.

May we have the faith of Nephi who said, "I will go, I will do. . ." (1 Nephi 3:7)

Nephi went and he got the plates. He went and built a boat. He went and crossed the ocean. He went and built a city and a temple and a people.

Isaiah writes a question from the Lord, "Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver?" (50:2)

On my mission, at every mission meeting, we would stand and recite a passage from Joseph Smith.

"The standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done." (Times and Seasons, 1 March 1842, quoted by Dallin H Oaks, April General Conference 1996)

"Those that be with us are more than those that be with them."

The war has been won.

We need to decide whose side we are on.

With God, we can do the impossible.

I'm getting released today

We are getting ready to move, again. I am ready. I feel there are people we need to meet, things we need to do.

This will be my last lesson to this Relief Society. I have been thinking what I want to say, and I have a pretty good lesson, at least I think so. (I'll post my lesson from today after I give it. It seems to work better that way.)

I have also been looking for the information I got when I received my calling. I have not been able to find it. It was not where I thought it was. It is the copy of the Handbook and a packet put together by the Stake Relief Society. 

The Handbook is on my scripture app.  I have really liked going electronic. 

I  searched all the places that I could find, and then I prayed. We had places to go yesterday, but our meetings don't start until 1pm. So I determined to look this morning.

Last night I had two places come to my mind. I looked there this morning. They were in the second place. I said a prayer of thanks, and then I looked at the stack that was with the two items I was looking for.

I found a 5 - 7 minute "story" that I had prepared two years ago for the Relief Society. I read it and knew I needed to keep it.

This has become my journal and the place I keep important things. This was my portion of the Christmas lesson that year. It was more my ponderings and not a story per se.

Christmas time is a time to remember the birth of Jesus. And yet the reason we remember His birth is because of how He lived His life.

I want to share two of my favorite New Testament stories.

I love the story of Christ sleeping in the middle of the storm. His disciples surrounded Him. They were terrified. They were men that made their living sailing on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples knew what to look for. They knew how to stay safe. An yet, on this occasion, they were caught in the middle of the sea in the middle of a storm. They were afraid for their lives and surprised to see Jesus sleeping peacefully in the tempest. (Matt 8:27).

I think there is a lesson in the routine of the voyage. The disciples were doing what they should have been doing. They were with who they should be with. The were in the routine of their lives, something they did countless times. And something they continued to do after this event. Still having done nothing wrong, they found themselves in a very troubling situation. The Savior was there in person, and it was natural, if a bit unnerving, to wake Him up and ask for help. After the winds ceased, the boat was still in the middle of the lake. There was still work to do, but the Heavenly Peace had blessed them, and saved them.

We can liken this story to us. In the middle of our trials, we can feel the peace and love from our Master and courageously continue. He has told us, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27).

I think that it is during the storms in our lives that we listen the closest for the voice of the Lord. And our lives are designed to have many sudden and violent storms. We have only to look at the lives of the prophets, the friends of Christ, to see that trials come to even the most righteous.

The result of our trials, hopefully, lead us closer to Him. 

I love the scripture in John. Mary was alone in the garden by His tomb. She saw two angels and they asked her why she was weeping. She replied that she was looking for her Lord. She turned around and with eyes full of tears she didn't recognized the One she was seeking. She didn't recognize Him when He said, "Woman, shy weepest thou?: Whom seekest thou?" She didn't recognize Him until He called her name - "Mary." (John 20:11-16)

Thinking about this story this way makes me think of the parable of the Good Shepherd. The sheep will know His voice and they will come when He calls them - by their name.

We can be sure that Christ knows us. It is up to us to know Him. And that is Life Eternal - to know God and Jesus Christ. (John 17:3)

This Christmas season, let us remember the reason for the season. Let us be wise and seek Him. Let us come to know Him and follow Him home.