journal entry...

Saturday James and I had the blessing of attending a session at the temple. Our friends, the Carters, invited us. Their son was going for the first time - he is soon to be a missionary! What a special time in his life and the life of his family. Our friend, Joanne, came with us and it was such a terrific day. It was so nice to enjoy a relaxing dinner afterwards with these sweet friends.

My heart has been very full this past week. The funeral on Friday, the temple on Saturday, church on Sunday, my visiting teachers came Monday morning and my partner and I visited the sisters on our route Monday afternoon. Monday night we had Family Home Evening - we had Reid, Chase and Ryan practice their parts for the children's primary program and then James gave a lesson. After FHE I prepared my talk for Young Women In Excellence.

Also I have been making an extra effort to be more diligent in my scripture reading. As I read from 3 Nephi I can't help but read the Savior's words aloud. It seems each time the Spirit comes so quickly as I study here.

Sunday I had a Laurel class presidency meeting, then attended Bishops Youth Committee which was followed by my PPI (Personal Progress Interview) which was followed by church. I know some may think of this as burdensome but I want to record what a tremendous blessing in my life these 'meetings' have been. I am learning so much and am thrilled to be called to the work. I am so very imperfect and I guess I am thankful I have been given this, some small step as I work my way back to Father in Heaven. Also, I recognize how blessed I am since I have a absolute genuine love for the young women I serve with. What joy they bring to me!

Today the morning was spent volunteering at the elementary school. I graded papers in Reid's class and helped make a bulletin board display in Chase's class. The afternoon was spent preparing for Young Women in Excellence (which is tomorrow night). Our theme is "Lighting the Way to Excellence". We hope to have a lot of displays of the accomplishments of the young women. They will also dress in the color of the value they have been working on. I am in charge of the refreshment table. We will be serving vanilla ice cream with an assortment of toppings that are all in the seven colors of the young women values. I hope it will be an enjoyable evening for everyone.

Today Ryan and I also got the Halloween decorations up! whoo hoo! I didn't put up as many as most years since the holiday is almost here, but still the kids are enjoying them. The little boys are looking forward to their schools fall festival on Friday and our ward Halloween party on Saturday. There is a lot of counting down of days happening in our home - lots of excitement to wear the Star Wars costumes.

Oh - I suppose I should write that today we turned in the box for our cable. They will disconnect us in the morning - the kids are getting their last cable t.v. fix.We told the kids we will be trying this for six months and then we will reevaluate. We may get it re-installed for April's LDS general conference,but we know we can always get that online.