Sunday Doesn't Feel Like A Day of Rest!

I'm seriously just sitting down at the end of a long Sunday that I feel like I've run through...starting around 7:15 this morning, ward choir practice at 8:25am, church from 9am-11am, did some YW visits before I snuck in to hear Nathan Mackey talk in church at 11:55am, did some more YW visits, ran to Nathan's open house at 1pm, stake youth choir rehearsal at 2:30pm, home for Father's blessings at 4pm, started preparing dinner a little after 5pm, over to the Hilton's to visit Annie at 5:30pm, ate dinner at 6:30pm, went to the "street treats" at 7:15pm (ward walk about to get to know our ward better), a couple late night YW visits to those I couldn't catch today, upstairs to cuddle with Jane for a second and finally sitting down to write my favorite missionary. Okay...where to start. I guess I'll go the opposite direction tonight....starting with my crazy Sunday and working back. Tomorrow is the start of a new school year. A couple of weeks ago I started gathering things to make a "First Day of School Survival Kit" for the young women in my class. In January, Lori made two classes in YW instead of three. I have my opinion on it, but she felt inspired and I supported her. I am in charge of the older group. It's basically a high school group and a middle school group. I have 16 girls in my group. 2 that are on the "do not contact" - (Ellie Pinnock is one of those), 2 who do not come but we can contact (Annie Hilton is one of those), and 2 who are on the verge of not coming much. That leaves 10 active girls. Anyway, it's a HUGE group! I've been feeling like I am not doing a great job with visits and the spirit really prompted me to visit each girl before school started. So, I came up with this cute "survival kit" idea and fit everyone in today. It was awesome to visit with each girl. I also sent a text to the mom's on Thursday telling them to expect me on Sunday. It was awesome to connect with the moms and I just feel so happy that I followed that prompting. I just need to keep it up. I think home visits are super important and I've got to stay on top of it! One of the best visits of my day was at the Hilton's house. They seriously rolled out the red carpet for me. Bret gave me such a huge hug. Sometimes I get a little anxious about going over there because I'm not sure what I will get but it couldn't have been more enjoyable. I love that family and need to visit them more often. Tamra isn't coming any more and i think she has some very hurt feelings that she stopped coming and no one came to rescue her. It breaks my heart that she's in such pain. She really had to choose between her family and the church/Lord. I think women like her get a pass when it comes to these difficult situations. There was such conflict and unhappiness when she went to church. She was mocked and ridiculed by Bret and finally just said enough. She's a returned missionary and knows it's true. I can tell she really misses it. They asked about you...one of my favorite subjects to talk about. The Father's blessings were out of this world awesome. Dad is just the best. He really gave such sweet, personal blessings. McKay's particularly stood out to me. That kid is a beloved son of our Heavenly Father. I hope he was listening. I decided to write down two words about each blessing that stood out to me. Here's what I recorded: McKay: Be thoughtful, wise, open and peaceful Henry: Be courageous and prioritize Gwen: Do your best and have confidence (trust) Jane: Work hard and be kind I was also given a blessing. I was really worked up yesterday....worrying...because you know I'm really good at it (hah) and Dad asked if I wanted a blessing on Sunday when he was giving them. My blessing was full of such love from my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, for being a mother and the sacrifices I've made. It's kind of a big day for me tomorrow with Jane starting 1st grade. It's the first time that I will ever have all of my children in school all day as a mother....20 years later. My heart is happy and torn. I can't believe I am at this stage in life. I will miss sharing my days with my children. I have this false sense that I will suddenly have so much more time in my life. Not really sure what my days will look like. I am planning to make some progress this year on going back to school. It's always been a dream of mine to get my graduate degree when all my kids are in school. Soooooo, if you have any bright ideas about what I could do a graduate degree in, I'm all ears. Not sure what I'd be good at or what I'm interested in. I'm thinking about architecture, music therapy, or food/nutrition. I'd like to do something that I'm interested in but my interests have changed so much since I was in school. Once I kind of figure out my direction, I would like to start studying for the GRE. Maybe I'll start school at the same time as you. How cute would that be? Natan Mackey's talk was out of this world good. Such depth. Such growth. It's amazing how immersing yourself in the gospel can change you. Coolest part for me was when he was telling about all the trouble he was getting into before his junior year. He was really into football and hung out with some cocky jocks and then he broke his shoulder and his dreams crumbled. He was depressed and struggling to figure out the path ahead. All the doors were closing in front of him. One Wednesday night he decided to go to YMs. He hadn't been much before because it always conflicted with football. The activity was at our house. Dad gave everyone a Book of Mormon and he and Bishop Robinson bore strong testimony about their love for the book. Nathan left the activity and decided he didn't have anything going for him, so he might as well read the Book of Mormon. So, he started reading and it changed his life. I was so touched by this story because I've known Dad a long time. I know his mission was really hard and it's hard to see his success if you measure it by baptisms. I just started going through all the YM that he's worked with and the way so many changed their lives because of his amazing influence. And the night he handed out the BofM , I'm sure many were placed on a shelf and are collecting dust. He probably gave out 10 that night and 1 (maybe more) was placed in one young man's life at the exact same time and now he's heading to Africa as a missionary. So cool. If Dad did nothing else in his entire life, that one book will lead to many, many baptisms. He didn't see these baptisms the way he thought or hoped he would as a young missionary in Japan....and maybe they did happen in Japan and he will never know. But you can definitely see his influence on the youth of the ward. Well....I just finished telling you this story. I loved every minute talking with you tonight. I cannot believe you have 2 people on date. That is so exciting. So many good things happening. As far as the rest of the week, I really spent it shopping and going to lunch with each of the children at home. I really missed going with you. We will make up for it next fall school shopping. The kids are doing great. Gwen has suddenly blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She looks amazing each day. But what's even more impressive is how beautiful she is on the inside. I'll include her first day of school (the practice day on Friday for new 6th graders at DPMS). She's navigating the crazy waters of friends and girl hormones. Dad and I are learning how to talk her through stressful situations with the tears that flow easier and easier. Jane is hot and cold on school. I hope tomorrow she is hot...it's hard to know what you're going to get. Did we tell you that she's stopped sucking her thumb? She is pretty amazing. McKay and Henry are heading into good years. Henry spent an hour tonight at a friend's scripture study group. I actually think it touched his heart and that it is a good thing. He has resolved to be a good friend to those who need him tomorrow...all on his own...but he always is that. We are back to the important things....family scripture study and family prayer. We've been a little lax during the summer and I can feel it as a family. I'm looking forward to it. I think we will have to have two scripture study times...7am for Gwen (boo DMPS early start time) and 7:30am everyone else. I'll report back to you next week on how it all goes. Keep everyone in your prayers. I'm excited for your week ahead and the miracles you'll see, despite the weird shuffling that's happening. Keep your eyes open and record the miracles. I love you so much. I am so proud of you. And what's even better is that the Lord is so proud of you. Love you tons! Mom Run down of the pics: (McKay as Prince) - McKay's mustache gets so many comments and photoshops. This was the latest by Eric Montegue. He said McKay's mustache looks just like Prince. (Christine, Grace, Gwen and Me) - We met up with Chrstine and Grace for some back to school shopping. It was a lot of fun. Gwen and Grace are probably the two nicest kids on the Calder side of the family hands down! (Ihop) - Tea party/breakfast with Jane and Jalynn (and me, although Jane didn't really want me to come). Jane's been planning for months! We finally did it. Jalynn is such a gem. (Gma and Gwen) - Grandma took Gwen shopping on Thursday for like 4 hours. They had a great time. Time spent with Gma shopping is alway the best! And I think Gwen got Gma's shopping gene. (Mtn Bike Team Party) - On Thursday night we had 150 kids from the Mtn Bike team over for an end of summer party. It was honestly the easiest party we've ever had. And the kids were so respectful. The only kid who scraped their face on the bottom of the pool was Caleb Carrol, McKay's friend. I thought this pic was so cool (Gwen's shoes) - she's so proud to have some just like you (1st day of school pic Gwen) - doesn't she look GORGEOUS!? (Jane) - I had so many of Jane like this. We bought some clip-on earrings and she is so excited to wear them. She kept taking selfies on my phone so she could look at herself. (McKay, Caleb and Sky) - just heading out for a Saturday ride. (ChalkBoard) - our lesson today with President Jackson. It was awesome.