2011 Youth Conference

I'm just home from 3 days and two nights of awesome time spent with amazing youth ages 12 to 18. I am just in love with these amazing people. At my church Scott and I were in charge of planning for 50 or so youth a conference with the theme We Believe In Doing Good To All Men. First up was a planning Fireside where the youth, parents and leaders all fasted without food for 2 meals and prayed for inspiration on ways we could serve in the community. Elder Stanley Ellis is currently in our ward with his youngest daughter and wife. He spoke for us to kick off the 7 weeks service blitz. We had a goal of 2011 hours. Everyone at church got involved all ages from the 2 year old up to 102 year olds. It was neat to see everyone looking for ways to make a difference and lighten another load. We had 5 teams of 10 kids. They all choose a scripture theme and name. Then we have a family in our ward who volunteered to host us at the home away form home they recently purchased about an hour form where we live. It was like stepping into a Jane Austin novel. Trees and flowers and fun. they were renovating so no kitchen limited bathroom and no flooring or walls but it was so much fun. I did get a tiny bath in one day I sure love to be clean. My friend Sarah who had watched the Amazing Race helped me plan a big event on Thursday where we mimicked the Amazing Race but did service. We sang at nursing homes, cleaned homes and yards, read to children, wrote to missionaries. Had dinner with darling couples, played funny minute to win it games, did hard word searches, memorized articles of faith. broke 600 water balloons. Spent a Day boating. Had my friend Melanie and the Bishop talk tot he youth. The youth shared testimony of Christ and service and happiness. A fire pit and marshmallows roasting, watermelons and dutch oven cobbler. We had gourmet meals like Bro Rivera Chicken Penne Pesto Pasta, Huntsville BBQ, taco salad, yummy breakfast each morning, and snacks gallor. The kids loved talking to each other playing volleyball and bad mitten. My cousin Teri was a huge help from start to finish- could not have done ti with out her. I printed out 100 colored clues to hide and spent countless hours arranging and planning and the help everyone provided Friends made awards and helped fill water balloons. One night Scott slept outside and Kelli and I saved him form a wild animal which turned out to be a raccoon chasing a cat. The laughter and music and smiles... awesome. Getting to know Tracy, Terri, Kelli and all the ladies who helped at the race portion- wow. The men were great. It was so much fun I wish I had photos of all of it.
Seriously it was overwhelming to feel the love God has for these bright children who have the potential to change the world with the light and testimony they have. It was an honor and a privilege.

Love Blessing Blessings

When a baby is born in I believe it is a blessing. No matter what or how I just adore babies and think they are a blessing. It takes a child for me to remember what is most important in life. A child teaches me to forgive fast to love wholly. To see things with optimism and hope. A child trusts. In my religion any baby born is completely without sin. Pure and clean and straight from Heavenly Parents. Heavenly Parents who created a marvelous perfect spirit which is then gifted a body of flesh on lone to us during our time on earth to teach us way more than we will ever teach them. The new baby is brought to our worship service and given a name and a blessing. We believe the blessing is inspired and can be a guide and comfort to the child while they are on the earth. I know that babies are without sin and do not require an infant baptism. To me this was one of the huge burning questions I had while seeking answers in the spook ally of life. I have many friends who believe differently and think babies are born in sin and require immediate saving ordinances to be clean and I say Thank the Lord for religious freedom. Each and every blessing of a little new blessing aka baby I attend is a sacred gift. The latest was little Lucy Hurst looking beautiful in a white sparkly dress hand made by her talented grandma. Really is there nothing better in life than holding a brand new baby and knowing it was so recently in the presence of Divinity-- for me it is the best.

Service Timeline

I have been thinking about our family and the callings they have held in church. It gives us courage to know that we were not the first in our family to have the blessing to serve. Also I thought it would be nice to have a record of our own assignments. We are lucky to have support from both sides of our family in giving service. After all-- our time and everything we have is not our own, we owe all we have to God. I wish I knew or remembered more but here is what i recall right now.

Great Grandpa DeMille Bishop

One of the Riffles was a Reverend

I know there is more on Scott's side by not sure how to find this out

Grandpa Dixon in Bishopric Parleys ward

Grandma Dixon YW President ward and Stake YW Pres. Sugarhouse

Grandpa Scharrier Branch President New York

Lynda is an amazing worker for her church and community

Neal ushered at church

Marianne was in YW in the mission field, Relief Society Sec., Libraian

Ted was Secretary in Elders and High Priests, taught primary, library

Scott:

1st Counselor in YM

Home Teacher

1st Counselor in Sunday School

Gospel Principals teacher

Fast Offering Collector

1st Counselor in Elders Quorum

Bishop

Missy:

Relief Society Teacher (3 times- 3 wards:))

Visiting teacher

Secretary in Sunday School

Stake Women's Conference Committee

Ward YW President

Stake YW Secretary and the 2nd Counselor in Stake and then the 1st Counselor (no I did not off the others to take their places)

We both are now working on Youth Conference in addition to Eagle Court for Scott and my Relief Society teaching.

2009 Old Bisphopric Party

We miss our buddies from our old ward. We lived there for 10 years as people came and went. It was common to make a friend then say goodbye as they moved. The men Scott served with all moved within a few months of each other. Scott valued their support. We were able to get together with a few of the families at our home right after the holidays. It was fun to see them and the cute kids. I did not make food assignments or so I thought so we had tons of food. Still new to hosting parties I was very organized which helps me not stress. The Chaston boys were funny, I mean so funny. Aunt Sue was not happy about having people over not even cute kids I think she is not feeling really great:(

Jail- a blessing

Thanks to jail I can blog again. We have had a man after us who was trying to find info about us and since at church my blog had been passed around it had to go away for awhile. Jail can be a good thing if you break a law because you might decide to change your life because you do not like it there. OR you might like it and want to go back often because of the free ride. We have had struggles with a man that came to my husband who serves as a Bishop for help. The man became angry at my husband when he could not get money for drugs. For over 2 years we have been dealing with the man in and out of jail and wandering back into our lives. He had an idea to harass us at home by mail by phone. He always shows up back at church and this is after being caught red handed. Stealing, lying, aggravated assault, witness tampering, child endangerment, you name it the poor man has done it. However they don't stick on him since he terrorizes his witnesses into not testifying. But just because you scare away the witness does not mean you did not commit the crime.
I however have also sinned in my life. I am not so forgiving of the said man and do not embrace him into my life. That is a fault of my own. I need to give him a chance but all I can think of is keeping myself and family safe. Since he is now in prison yet again and we no longer attend his church Scott is hoping he has moved on to a new obsession. I for one got tired of feeling fearful and when I last saw the man I told him so. He was pacing outside my husbands office something inside me snapped and I walked up to him and told him we were not afraid anymore and if the police wanted us to testify we would. The last time we spoke with the prosecuting attorney they warned us that he holds grudges and would come after us. The said a protective order would only really help to convict him after he committed crimes against us to prove there was intent. So we shyed away and hoped he would really disappear. Then there he was yet again. The irony is he never even lived in our area. I feel he is a user trying to milk any system set up to help-- the government, the church, nice people. So we have left our church and now attend in another area so in case he gets out again and comes looking for us we will be gone.

The Publicity Dilemma

SALT LAKE CITY 9 March 2009 Like other large faith groups, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.
As Catholics, Jews and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice. Yet Latter-day Saints – sometimes known as Mormons - still wonder whether and how they should respond when news or entertainment media insensitively trivialize or misrepresent sacred beliefs or practices.
Church members are about to face that question again. Before the first season of the HBO series Big Love aired more than two years ago, the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However, Internet references to Big Love indicate that more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show and that the characters are often unsympathetic figures who come across as narrow and self-righteous. And according to TV Guide, it now seems the show’s writers are to depict what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies.
Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding. Last week some Church members began e-mail chains calling for cancellations of subscriptions to AOL, which, like HBO, is owned by Time Warner. Certainly such a boycott by hundreds of thousands of computer-savvy Latter-day Saints could have an economic impact on the company. Individual Latter-day Saints have the right to take such actions if they choose.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.
Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. As someone recently said, “This isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore.” In other words, with a global membership of thirteen and a half million there is no need to feel defensive when the Church is moving forward so rapidly. The Church’s strength is in its faithful members in 170-plus countries, and there is no evidence that extreme misrepresentations in the media that appeal only to a narrow audience have any long-term negative effect on the Church.
Examples:
During the Mitt Romney election campaign for the presidency of the United States, commentator Lawrence O’Donnell hurled abuse at the Church in a television moment that became known among many Church members as “the O’Donnell rant.” Today, his statements are remembered only as a testament to intolerance and ignorance. They had no effect on the Church that can be measured.
When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.
When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions.
In recent months, some gay activists have barraged the media with accusations about “hateful” attitudes of Latter-day Saints in supporting Proposition 8 in California, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage. They even organized a protest march around the Salt Lake Temple. Again, the Church has refused to be goaded into a Mormons versus gays battle and has simply stated its position in tones that are reasonable and respectful. Meanwhile, missionary work and Church members in California remain as robust and vibrant as ever, and support for the Church has come from many unexpected quarters — including some former critics and other churches.
Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.
If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Pennies by the Inch

One of the service projects we do each year with the youth from church is to raise money for our children's hospital. We did over $3,000 in change! A few weeks prior we had a and of summer BBQ. And we had the best ever fireside on Sunday night which I forgot my camera at. We had a 74 year old African American woman speak to us about faith, Chasity, and life. I laughed and cried she was amazing. She said the 2 top things she loved about our church were 1. our Bishops do not get paid. This makes her feel like there can be total honesty since his paycheck is not dependant on someone liking him. 2. The things we say and the things we do are very close. That is not saying all members are perfect at living the gospel but the church programs and beliefs are very close. She has been a hospital administrator, community organizer, and sits on the Utah Aids foundation, Huntsman Cancer boards and many others. I wish everyone could hear this warm wonderful woman. It made me feel so grateful and brought me to my knees in gratitude for the abundance I have in my life and for everything that has brought me to this point in my life. I have great notes if anyone wants them.

Hawaii Spirit

The Hawaiian people are a very spiritual people. Churches dot all the islands. My church has temples all over the world and 2 in Hawaii. One on the big island and one on Oahu. Temples are special places of worship. Each one has nice grounds to visit, even if you are not a member or wish to go inside. They have beautiful flowers and displays about family history and the meaning of life. I like to see them as I travel around to see how each one is different. I was shocked to feel how strong the spirit was at the Temple in Hawaii. I don't generally walk on the grounds to the Temple and have a wave of emotion like I did there. Scott saw it first and said "hey Miss- there it is". As I looked over I had this warm feeling of peace and love sweep over my whole body. I can't describe the wonderful love I felt. I'm not totally sure why I was privileged to feel that on that day. I do not have any special ties to the people of Hawaii. Tears just rolled down my face and I felt so happy walking around the grounds and feeling the beauty of Gods creations. There is a cool statue I had never seen before of Lehi giving a blessing to his son, it also moved me. I asked one of the missionaries about the Temple and she mentioned that when it was dedicated it was given a special blessing to have a sweet spirit that would touch those who visited the grounds. I am very humbled to know that God lives and that his main goal is our happiness. that I can forever be with him and the ones I love. What a special day I had on the grounds of the Temple.

Girls Camp 2008

Every other year Girls Camp switches between ward and stake. This year Laurie had the ward girls up to her cabin for camp. They did a fine job. Super cute leaders for the girls. I went up with Scott. It was beautiful up there in the mountains. The down side was all the girls reading books non stop... about vampires. The upside for me was the marshmallows. Matt stopped and got the perfect brand for me so I was a happy camper. I prefer Kraft Jet Puff. Yum. We all did skits and Mat and Scott were very funny. Everyone did a great job and got involved in them which made it more funny. We also played name that TV show theme. I can win that which is a tribute to my miss spent youth in front of the TV:) Scott was sweet and burned our initials into wood in the fire with my marshmallow stick! Marcie and Michelle were great in our skit and the glasses Scott wore still make me laugh to think of them. He really let loose and got into this zany character.

The girls scared me very much in the dark by sneaking up and my scream scared all the rest of the adults. Good times for Riverbend. I was also impressed at the zip line that Marcie did and that we had no bears:) Laurie is a great president... all the leaders were wonderful.

Cast party and parting

Parting is such sweet sorrow- unless you have kids, a husband, a wife, or a life-- that has had about all they can take of your current play. I did not have these as my husband actually enjoyed the play much to both our surprise. We had our cast party I didn't feel much like a party with our fury buddy gone and a funeral looming for my cousins. I did love seeing everyone they really are people I enjoyed being with. there was not one person behind the scenes or on stage that I didn't like. I love that weeks after I still have people come up and call me Christine and laugh with big smiles as they tell me just how much they loved the play. How great that we brought joy to so many and that they still are laughing:) I am working now to collect all the photos and footage! Here are a few favorites from the new set I have. I love Sarahs blog about the sparkles and the banana, since I use this as a journal which I have hard bound each year I am copying it over to this. Go check out the real deal at her blog.
Opening Night Run-down by Sarah Ray
We had opening night last night for our stake play. It was a lot of fun and actually turned out pretty well, all things considered! Our dress rehearsal the night before was quite rough. But last night people were actually laughing and seemed to enjoy it, so it couldn't have been that bad. But Oy Vey! In one scene we had two missed entrances, which totally threw me off, so then I ran off stage WAY early and had to, quite obviously, re-enter to continue a conversation that never should have ended. Yikes! Joel (Junior) got a little pistol-happy and decided to shoot our already dead prop man to death, not to mention everything else in sight. He seems to think he is the star attraction. I'm thinking tonight I might try to replace that pistol with a banana when he isn't looking. Really. I'm going for it. Oh yes, and the director has a crush on my hubby. Really.
Sparkles and Bananas by Sarah Ray
Last night the play was....unusual. To start, we didn't start. Until half an hour late. Missy had sparklies, a LOT of sparklies. And she was loving it! She kept offering them to everyone, but I think it was just so she could rub the excess on herself. She was, in all aspects of the phrase, too good to be true! The banana scheme, not so much. I practice stealing Juniors gun and returning it to his holster without him noticing all night, so I thought it would be easy. But I wasn't banking on him sitting so close to the side of the chair! I couldn't squeeze the banana in - and then he noticed and then I missed my lines because I was so preoccupied with the banana! It turned out funny, but not as planned. We had some interesting mistakes, but nothing major. Closing night tonight, and boy will the pranks be flying!

Red Neck?

My red lobster man. He took some of the youth ice fishing today and came home red. I have asked him to be careful in the sun. I feel bad as it looks painful. I sure do love my red neck man. Yesterday I got to hear him conduct a sacrament meeting and a few other things he does as Bishop. I just love him. Here are a few photos from the last few months of church service. I try to take a camera to remember these times when we are old but I don't always get great shots but they have meaning for us and I guess that is what matters for me:) One day we won't remember that on most Sundays Scott left the house in the dark and came home in the dark but loved being with Brett and Ben. Or that I would sometimes have 8 appointments of church YW in the same day at 4 different buildings. We might not recall how Bret and Ben tease me that when I am able to attend service at our ward that I make lovesick eyes at my hubby who I adore. Or that I love to bump into Sherilynn since we meet in the same buliding. Or that I often think about my brother and Marlene and all the other neat people that have since moved out of our ward. Or that Youth Counsel is one of my favorite times of the whole month becasue I LOVE these kids so much. Or that we would meet for ice cream after the adult session of Stake Conference. Or that Scott got burned one day while taking the YM ice fishing to the same lake that they had to have search and resure at on the same day he became my red neck, burned boy.

Together Again

I'm glad to know that President Hinckley is with his sweet wife once again:) What a blessing to be surround by family. Today I attended 2 different ward conference as part of my Stake YW calling. At each one I was able to sustain Pres. Hinckley as prophet, seer, and revelator. I was telling Emily that is my favorite part to our stake calling that we get to do that so many times with each ward. Scott and I had fallen asleep and got a text message, we were in shock. We knew he didn't enjoy good health, but did not know of late he was ill. My mom tells me that during my life I would always come and listen to Pres. Hinckley speak, this was long before he was Prophet or I had a testimony of the church. My parents would have conference on and whenever it was Gordon B Hinckley speaking I would walk into the room and sit and watch. My mom says I would say there is something about him I like- he is direct, he is full of love, he was funny, he had hope, he was extraordinary. My parents always felt it was no surprise that he was Prophet when I gained a testimony, when my husband was baptized and later called as Bishop. I don't like change but I do like to think he is with his sweetheart again:)
Here is what the WHite house had to say about his death...
Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of our friend, Gordon B. Hinckley. While serving for over seven decades in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon demonstrated the heart of a servant and the wisdom of a leader. He was a tireless worker and a talented communicator who was respected in his community and beloved by his congregation. As President of his church, he traveled to more than 60 countries to spread a message of love and optimism to the millions of people around the world who shared his faith. A Mayflower descendent and the grandson of Mormon pioneers, Gordon was a deeply patriotic man. His leadership and service strengthened the Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. In 2004, I was honored to present him with the Medal of Freedom, our Nation's highest civil award, in recognition of his lifelong public service. Laura and I will miss Gordon's friendship and wisdom. Our thoughts and prayers are with his five children and the rest of the Hinckley family.
It has been over a week since I wrote the first part of this post. I wanted to take some time to write down a few thoughts from my heart so I leave a record of the witness I had of President Hinckley being a prophet of God. I will never forget the times I was able to be near him while he was alive. I never was able to speak to him or shake his hand but the times I did see him I will ever treasure. The first time was during one of the Days of 47 Parades, it is a big deal in the state I live. It celebrates our statehood and the day Mormon pioneers entered the Utah valley from their exodus from back east. I had family in that group. We have a big parade which Pres. Hinckley served for years as grand marshal. He was riding in an open car with his sweet wife. He looked right at me and with a big smile waved. I felt so warm and happy with one looks and smile. Scott was able to direct his car in the parade a few years later and got a big hello. The next time was in Southern Utah at a dedication at Dixie College, he was so close and funny and smart, I felt chills to think that he was a special witness of Jesus Christ and Gods voice on the earth. Next it was at BYU at a Women’s Conference. As he entered unannounced a hush fell among us we could not yet see him but we could feel him. We all rose to our feet and impromptu sang We Thank Thee oh God for a Prophet, he made me feel so proud to be a daughter of God, and he helped me realize how special I was in Gods eyes. The last time I saw him in person was at his 95 birthday celebration. Candice got me a ticket and it was a highlight I will never forget. A woman rushed the stage that night and was subdued by security and Pres. Hinckley was not fazed, the spirit was strong with him. He did wonderful things for the children of the whole earth with charity and generosity. He was gracious and powerful. He made no excuses because he knew the truth about the true identity of all of us on earth- his brother’s and sisters. I will miss the sound of his voice but I know he still lives and he is happy and he still is working on bringing souls to Christ. I will also sustain President Monson as my new prophet, because I believe that the Lord provides exactly what we need in each season and they will be different in style but not in purpose or mission- bringing souls to Christ and healing the troubled heart and making families forever. I watched the funeral 3 times in the BYU channel. I am proud to have had the witness of the Holy Ghost that Gordon B Hinckley was a prophet of God.

3 questions

Being form Utah we always are asked "are you Monmon?" Are there other states that always get the same questions? I'm sure there must be. Like if you are from Washington do they ask about rain or volcanoes? While Scott was in Alabama he was asked 3 questions. 1. Are you Mormon? 2. Do you know Donny and Marie or the Osmond's? and 3. How many wives do you have? It made him happy to talk about all 3. 1. Yes I am. 2. No I don't- but I am a friends with Justin Osmond a nephew to Donny and Marie. 3. One wife is plenty. The Osmond family is very popular in the south. I like that they think all us Mormons know each other- that could be a little tricky with over 12 million. There are less and less in Utah, in fact some areas are less than 1/2. Which when I was growing up it felt 100%. As for asking do we know so and so I do the same thing when I hear someone is from a certain place. "Oh do you know so and so--" They smile and say "No, Texas is a big place". I feel foolish and smile back. At the same time I am often amazed at how like cute Kelsie said years ago "It is a small world after all!" It is that whole 7 degrees of separation thing. I wonder if it is more like 4 degrees. Or maybe 3 questions of separation.
He had a great time there. High Cotton is spoiling him. They are very generous and fun, he is having a great time. He got a little welcome party, gift cards, lap top, business cards and wonderful BBQ.

Got Snow?

For the first time since we have lived at our present address WE HAVE SNOW:) Beautiful snow. Sure we have had little bit here and there but not inches that stick. This winter has been very generous at blanketing us with much prayed for moisture. Scott get very happy and tells me how he hopes Al Gore is found frozen in snow with a sign "watch out for global warming". There are definitely weather changes from when I was a child, but isn't the earth in constant change? I know we are making a negative impact on the earth and I also believe that we could do better. I remember in elementary school in the gifted and talented program we would work on projects to deal with landfills and alternative energy solutions. My poor troubled mind would not be able to sleep for weeks and I get the same feeling of dread when I watch the weather channel now. It is kind of a dooms day feel, yet God is aware and I think at times we humans give ourselves a little too much credit for what we can and can not do. So even though AL said we would be burning up with no winter here in UT- we are very much enjoying this winter wonderland. It make the mountains just come alive with depth and texture. It is awe inspiring to watch the sun set and rise on the beautiful Wasatch front. Oh I just came across this funny self portrait of cute us. I just love my Scott. I sure hope I get my full voice back soon I like to talk and I like to hear my own voice and I want my throat pain to cease and assist. It has been many years since i have had bad throat pain. I can't even remember the last time I had strep. It may have been childhood- usually I get sinus stuff- which now this has turned into. Scott is feeling much improved and is very hopeful to enjoy a full recovery soon. Ben told him about this neat smoker and he made Aunt Sue and I the most Delicious smoked salmon. Oh wow! I am a picky meat eater- so to hear me say wow over any meat-- it has to be tender and flavor packed. This salmon melted in my mouth. Aunt Sue was all glee over it. The best part of my yesterday was after a rough ward conference I was attending as part of my Stake calling he showed up and surprised me. He is the most handsome man. I am totally goo goo over him. He always looks so handsome in his clothing he should have been a male model. My second favorite part of yesterday was how great some of the youth did in their talks about service- it restores hope after hearing of the drug/ sex problem another group of teens is involved with. The things kids face these days just breaks my heart. The complete lack of love and guidance of any parental figure in these kids life's is overwhelming to my sensitive heart. How do we find a balance when there are no grey areas the kids are either black or white. When I was in High School there was a major grey area. I think the evil is so strong that you can't dabble it sucks you in. I think of some of these kids 6 years ago when they were little 12 year olds full of excitement and Zest for life. Now they are gone, replaced with hardened sceptics. Some of them are resilient and move past all the hardness around them holding strong to what they know to be true about who they are and why they are here. It is them that I call my shiny stars. They are truly a beacon to all of us who are lucky to serve them. My 3rd favorite part was being outside the house and taking the sacrament. 4th being with my sweet friends Sue/ Beki and Em. Love these ladies:) The last of all bestest part was watch Northanger Abby with my bestest buddy Aunt Sue. We LOVE Austen books and PBS is hosting a bunch of her complete works. We really enjoyed the version much more than any others we had seen. She is fun to talk with and we both stayed up until after 4 reading and talking and giggling. I told her I wish I had closed captioning so she could hear me better. She thinks I am adorable, everyone should be lucky enough to have an Aunt Sue.

PTA, Pennies and 105

Don't think I have lost my mind. (After all, My mom always says you can't lose what you never had.) I am on the PTA board at our local elementary school. Don't worry, I do remember that Scott and I are childless. Well that is Mungo and Aunt Sue do not attend. I spent the entire day there on Tuesday doing hearing tests on the kids and then a long board meeting. I felt so sad for the children you could tell were not looked after. It was amazing to see them sit up straighter when I smiled at them. Just a simple smile and they looked so happy, I wanted to give them all hugs. It is a great opportunity to put into action what my mouth says about the importance of community support, children being our future and education. In the evening I spent my time raising money for Primary Children's hospital with about 90 teenagers. Where I serve now since Scott is Bishop is still with the teens ages 12 - 18 but on a larger scale. The fund raiser is called Pennies by the Inch, last year we raised almost 4,000. It is near and dear to my heart because of my brother who was one of those miracle babies. He had a really rough start in life. I was wondering why then I got so sick? I was exposed to about 650 teens/ children all packing germs- go figure. I was hoping that since I have been eating so healthy my immune system would have had a kick booty response-- no such luck:( At one point my fever was 105- did you know at that height you get delirious? Scott became alarmed when I was talking to someone not there and trying to dance. Really it was more of an interpretive hand jive. I hardly remember any of it. Scott gave me a Priesthood blessing and finally the fever broke. It keeps spiking up and then dropping down to 96.9. Take about indecisive:) Next we called in the big guns. We have our own very dear witch doctor Marj. She has a bag of tricks with oils and herbs and what Scott calls woolly worm bat tails. After the first treatment I got way worse then felt tons better. Now I feel horrid again. This is Sunday so I have been ill for 5 days. I am missing all the fun; Scott, Ben, Sarah, Bret and Collen had a good time without me:( Karson's birthday came and went, Michele's birthday came and went, everyone has had new babies I can't hold or see. Scott is bored and nervous hoping he is not next. I can tell a difference in my face swelling without having had dairy; that is a plus. I have another call into our Marj to see what I should do next.

Sat. BBQ

I can't get a hold of the thought that time flies. I know it does but ti overwhelms me when I think of all I am not getting done. We seem so busy but maybe we should be even busier-- you know how you never get as much done as when you are headed on a trip? Or if you only have 15 minutes to finish something you do it? Last Sat. we had a BBQ with our church. It was fun to meet tons of new families. I have been eating nothing but raw fruits and veggies and good whole grains. My liver is swollen still so I have been studying all kinds of natural therapies. The one I am following is from a MD who believe that nutrition plays a huge role in supporting your liver to regenerate itself. She has a website called liverdoctor.com. I am not using any chemicals or preservatives. No refined or white flour or sugar. No meat. I can have hormone free fish. No dairy. It is a huge change for us. I used to love milk and all things dairy. But it was amazing that after 4 days my sever pain went away. This was a huge relief as I have not been able to take any pain meds because they further tax your liver. This condition was caused by my autoimmune dysfunction. So the doctor's said we will just watch you and wait and see. Then if it develops into cirrhosis we can do a transplant, that may work. That didn't seem right to me. I think they don't know what to do because they don't have a pill to give me. I think they only think pills can fix things. I also do raw juicing. It is gross things like garlic, radish, onion, beets, parsley, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, leeks, and spinach. Guess what? I no longer have heartburn and I used to never be able to eat half those veggies because it would make me feel sick. I also seem to have days where I have great energy now. I still have bad days but they are less and less. I also have not had a head ache in forever:) What lead me to this was that at the BBQ I met a nice lady who had done a similar diet change a year ago and how it had made a huge change in her health and her baby was now very healthy. The babies eyes were so clear. I have read that the color of your eyes reflects your inner health. I am watching my eyes to see if I notice any changes. I think you can get really out there so I don't want to become a weirdo but some of it make sense to me. Aunt Sue and Scott act like I am trying to kill them by making them eat less processed foods and fresh yummy things. They can eat what ever they want but I am cooking for health for now. It is a stick 8 week program. I had allready for 2 weeks cut out all added sugar and flour but now I am following the plan to the letter. I can feel my body detoxing. Hooray:) I do miss yogurt but I have not had a craving or wished I could eat something bad. I really feel like for now it was hurting my body to eat that way. Eating this way is allowing my liver to rest and clean itself. I can't wait to go in for a blood test and see if my enzymes are lower. I know it is better because the swelling and pain are greatly reduced. When I am out with friends or at parties I just bring my own veggies and fruits or grains an do just fine. You can't live without your liver-- I don't want to die so it is motivating.

Sunday

Our Sundays are long. They start with preparations made Sat night. Scott leaves the house at 6:50 am on Sundays so I get up early to make him breakfast. He is not home until 8 or 9 pm. I am so glad he is willing to love and serve others. We could spend our Sunday's sleeping in and shopping or playing around but we believe that for us following the law of the Sabbath is a blessing. I don't even miss him on the days he is doing service. I do miss him when he hunts or is working. I think God helps me. I have different meeting depending on the week for YW. This last Sunday I taught the lesson on Chasity. It was at first a little uncomfortable. I had done much reading on the topic from old manuals and conference reports. I am glad I got the chance to revisit a topic that has not changed in Gods eyes. It keeps people happy and safe. I thought of the laws God gives us and how they are all there to guide and protect not to restrict or punish. It is like he has an Ariel view and we can't see the pitfalls so he is directing our path. We can choose to follow or not. He will never force himself on us or his view. There were great discussions and it ended up being a neat experience. The teenagers said it was blunt. I shared with them that I felt it was direct as to leave no doubt about what is right or wrong. If you can't see that there is a sin involved how can you truly repent or get help? there is complete forgiveness but first we have to see the mistake. Usually we are so defensive and sad it is hard for the spirit to touch our hearts and heal us. We have to choose to let it in. I'm hoping my next lesson will be a little lighter in nature:) There are many things in this life so I am humble that my partner in life wants to follow the laws of God. We are far far from perfect but we do have a desire to be better and we keep doing our best. Scott is good to remind me we don't have to be perfect, we just have to put God first and do our best and when we fall short he still loves us and we get up and try again.

No word (sad warning)

There has been several sad baby news in our little church. 2 families have buried their little tiny babies. I went with Scott to comfort the mothers and it was heart breaking. One looked so lost and sad in her eyes. I started to get really scared for the others who were close to delivery or had babies under 4 in our church. I can't imagine burying a child. There is no word in the English language for a parent who loses a child. Why? I think it is the worst death and loss. We call children without parents orphans; we call spouses without each other widows. We should have a word for that loss. I know the deaths in our family circle of children-- leave a hole that just is not totally mended. I guess you never really get over a death- why would you want to get over someone. But time does heal and life goes on. But where a child is gone there is a sadness that lasts- no matter the age. My moms cousin was shot by accident while they were all playing, he was a teenager; everyone is still sad. The other ones are even more sad... and the parents never quite the same. I know the pain that so may who planned to have children feel. I know that Christ will right all wrongs and pains but I think that we may have to wait until the next life for some of the answers, some of the healing. The good news is 5 friends have had health babies this year. My friend had to have an emergency C-section last week and the baby was sent to another hospital for the NICU help, but he is getting stronger and he is darling. We keep praying. Now his mommy is in the ICU. We are going to go and see her:(

Best of friends

When I arrived at church they were short with adults to help with the children in Primary. So I went on in and sat down with a group of 6 year old girls and one lone boy. The little girl in the frilly dress looked up at me and asked "Are you a mom?" I said nope. She then asked "Are you a mean person or a nice person?". I smiled and replied "That depends" just kidding I said "I think I am mostly a nice person". She quickly grabbed my hand and placed it on her check and exclaimed "We are going to be the best of friends!" I think her name was Efiny. There were 2 Melody's, Scarlet and London. The little boy kept telling me I was saying his name wrong he had a beautiful accent. He thought he was spider man and kept webbing me and the girls. It is so cute how kids are so trusting and loving. They all fought over sitting on my lap and kissing my hands. Little London was the most mature and would roll her eyes at the drama of the younger girls. The other thing is how sad it is that little girls pick up things so quickly from the adults in their lives. One of the girls kept talking about lies and secrets. I know her parents are divorced and it was ugly. You can see how it had effected her. They just love telling me about God and Jesus. They get big grins and say he loves me. I love being around them it makes me feel young. It reminds me of times where my big stress was what color of play-do should I use. Next week I am teaching the adult woman about Chasity. I'm sure they will not run and kiss my hands or profess best of friendsness. But it will be great.

Smile

I was talking to one of Aunt Sues nurses. Her blood sugar had shot up over 500. She has not even had one issue with her diabetes for years and now all of the sudden wham her it is again. The nurse also had to change her I.V. site as her arm was red and swollen. The nurse was asking if I knew anything about Pres. Faust's death, as she was in California on vacation for the last few weeks. I told her how the funeral was very touching, that Pres. Hinckley missed him already and the love he and his wife shared was something out of a fairy tale. She told me that back on 2001 she worked up at a different hospital and while she was walking to her car a man smiled at her. It filled her with warmth and love meant especially for her. It made her feel like a child of God. It was a brief eye contact and a genuine smile and then he was passed her. It did not register who it was until she was in her car-- President Faust. It made me smile to hear the story and it reminded me of one of the time I saw him smile. In 2000 I was working for SkyWest Airlines. I happened to be at the Salt Lake airport. I was walking by a row of floor to ceiling windows and door which separated the boarding area from the tarmac. The was an older man dressed in a suit and a long dark coat behind the glass in an area where they did private security screenings. He had a big warm smile. I smiled back and after 3 steps it hit me who it was. I spun around and was looking right at President Faust. This made him laugh because I started to wave at him and the security he had with him grabbed me by the arm and pushed me along. I imagine this happened to famous people often-- the whole second glance thing. Where your brain registers who you are looking at and you spin around to verify. Aunt Sue and I have been having really long talks and it is jarring her memory and mine. I'm glad that nurse asked me so I could remember the fun memory I had totally misplaced in my jumbled mind. After all how cold is the winter without memories from spring. Monday she goes in for surgery-- I hope it is without incident.