Family Pictures

While Erin was home we planned a family photo.  But, Pat's work schedule got in the way and we were unable to keep our appointment with Liz.  So, Sunday evening we got out the tripod and did our best to get a couple of shots.

 It is really difficult to get the children all looking nice.  As you can see, Evie has her tongue sticking out.  Still they all look nice.

It has been a very long time since we had a picture of just our children.  This was very impromptu but still I love these faces.  They make my life complete.  It was difficult for me to let Erin leave and go back to Utah.  I will see her again the beginning of October but still, I wish she were closer.  We talk most every day but it just isn't the same.

I have amazing people to call my children!

Stake Reorganization

Back in June my husband got the letter from the First Presidency indicating that he would be released as the Stake President on August 28th.  He took the news with many tears.  It was hard to hear as he loves the people of the stake and loves serving them.  I've seen such growth in this man I call my husband over the past 9+ years as he's served in this calling.  We've had many unique experiences meeting people we would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet.

Elder Michael Ringwood accompanied by Paul Sinclair (who grew up in DePere) presided at the conference.  We had the two of them along with President and Sister Williams of the mission, over for dinner on Friday evening.  It was so much fun to get to visit about our families and stake concerns.  That is one of the things I will miss most.  The opportunity to get to know these men on a personal basis.  

Saturday was filled with interviews and meetings.  A great adult session in the evening.  I spent most of my day at home with Erin.  She flew home for an extended weekend to support her dad and spend time with Andrew who just got home.

Sunday morning, the present presidency and wives met with Elder Ringwood and Sinclair and they expressed their personal thanks to us for supporting our husbands.  Then they told us who the new presidency was.  It was my privilege to sustain Jacob Lonsdale as president with Michael Munk and Nathan Thiel as counselors.

 The Gresham choir and friends sang for the conference.  Since we sang Consider the Lilies, Heidi Cerveny asked if I would direct that piece.  I did and it sounded beautiful.  My sweetheart was to bear his testimony following that music.  He stepped out of character during his remarks and thanked me publicly for being a support to him.  He spoke of my faith which took my breath away.  

Following his remarks it was my opportunity to bear my testimony.  

I loved this weekend and am ever grateful to Elder Ringwood for including not only my husband but myself in the transition.  We were each able to give some training to the new presidency.  My training was for the wives.  Elder Ringwood expressed that whatever it was that I said was all they needed to hear.  I don't recall what I said.

At the end of the day, we were blessed to drive them to the airport.  We didn't expect that.  It was a tender mercy.  I enjoyed the fellowship of these two great men very much.  In fact, I told Elder Sinclair that he could be my brother as I felt that type of kinship with him.  It was the first time any of the brethren ever hugged me.

It was a phenomenal weekend!

Homecoming

This has to be my favorite picture of me that I've seen in a very long time.  On August 16th my baby boy returned home from his two year mission.  He wasn't very far away considering how far away he could have been.  Regardless, it was 25 long months.

I knew I would be emotional at the airport.  I was when Sammi returned so why wouldn't I be this time?  We held one another and cried.  I think he cried because he had to leave his mission.  I cried because I got to hold him once again and see his handsome face!

Of all the things in this world, I believe a missionary returning from service has to be the closest thing there is to what Heaven feels like.  I'm so proud of his service and the man he has become.  There really are no words.

He gave his report to the council the following Sunday morning and then gave a talk in Sacrament meeting in our ward.  I was so impressed with how he presented his message.  This is not the frightened young man I saw back in July 2014.  This is a confident man who knows the message that he shared.  It was incredible to hear his testimony of the Atonement.

I love this youngest child and look forward to what he will become in his life.