Just For The "T" In PTSA

Our High School PTSA did a luncheon for our faculty today...as part of our membership drive with them.  As each one sat down with their plate full of sandwich, pasta salad, chips, watermelon, macaroni salad, and a water bottle I'd come along with a membership sign up envelope and tell this is was their "side of guilt" with lunch.  Most laughed with me about it, but I am sure some probably believe that.  Oh well.  We had plenty sign up today with us.  That might have more to do with the  free Taco Amigo combo meal coupon and free Frazil coupon they were given if they would sign up today.  Whatever it takes.

Frustration, "Family", is Thy Name

I never made it back to the computer to write yesterday.  One of these days my schedule will get back to normal, and I will have everything well in hand.  HAHAHAHA.  Like that will EVER happen.

I can tell it must be time for the kids to go back to school though, as I have been more frustrated with life around here than regular.  Maybe it is the lack of the kids "seeing" what needs to be done, or my seemingly constant nagging for them to do what I am seeing that they aren't.  Sometimes I think it is really the lack of appreciation for what I do DO around here.  Maybe it is a combination of all of it.

Add to that combination the pile of stuff that I have let slide all summer that I know I need to get done "one of these days" and the talk I have to give on Sunday that I haven't yet written.  Yep.  Frustration is oozing out around here.

Karl and Claire

Today we had the chance to witness a dear friend's wedding.  She has waited a long time for this day.  And we were happy to be a part of it.

Luckily I was not the "official" photographer.  I was happy to snap candids...but I was seated behind some big heads.

The bride's sister, Chris, is family to us.  

Consequently, her family is our family....like the ring-bearer Connor, and the flower girl, Avery.

Congratulations, Karl and Claire.  May you have many, many happy years together.

Mission Parallels

Yesterday I got to listen to two different just returned missionaries speak in their families' sacrament meetings.  One was my neighbor across the street.  The other was another young man from our stake.

My darling neighbor was wonderful to hear speak of his missionary experiences and the many things he's learned.  He spoke on the topic of miracles still occur.  At the close of his remarks, our stake president stood with him and asked him to describe his feelings as he was released from his full time mission on Friday evening.  Jordan got a little weepy and said that he really didn't want to be released because he had so loved his mission and the closeness he felt to the Spirit and the love he had fro the people he served.

I can relate.

The second young man spoke of his mission in Jackson, Mississippi.  He too told stories of those he met and taught and of some of the marvelous learning opportunities a mission gave him.  Then he said something that hit me.  He said that he was told "When you come to love those you serve, your mission will be a success."

I think I can relate to that one as well.

I am not serving a full time mission, but I do love my calling in the Stake Young Women presidency.  I love the women I work with now--just as I loved those I worked with int he previous presidency.  And I absolutely love the Young Women we serve.  I enjoy the working relationship we share with our inspired stake presidency and the wonderful high councilors we have worked with over the years.  And I love--and have learned much from--the ward YW presidencies we have the honor of serving.  But I mostly love the girls.  And I have felt the Spirit witness to me of the love our Heavenly Father has for these young women--His daughters.  That is an overwhelming realization.

Hearing these young men relate their feelings of their missions and drawing the parallels to my own calling at the moment, made me grateful for the opportunities given me.  And really makes me treasure the time I have left--however long that may be.

Video Sunday