Photo Dump and Disney DL

Calder, What exciting news you told us today. I hope the train ride has been going well for you and that you got some sleep. What a crazy day and week you have ahead of you. I am so thrilled for the new opportunities and will be praying my guts out for you. I know you can do everything that the Lord wants you to do. I am so excited to have such a close seat to watch as it unfolds. Well, my mind has officially been blown tonight. First of all, such exciting news with your changes and then tonight we got a call from Bishop to come in at 8pm. I figured it would be for trek Ma and Pa. Absolutely NOTHING on my radar. So, I was blown away when I got released from YWs. I'm not going to lie...I was seriously so excited and relieved for a minute. I had a huge smile on my face. That has NEVER been the case before when I've been released from a calling. I was surprised at my reaction. But then I felt a little sad until the Bishop said, "But we have a new calling for you..." I have been called to be the Young Women's president in the Draper 8th ward. Even typing that out blows my mind! Honestly, I have usually felt a calling coming but this one came out of NOWHERE! I felt all the crazy emotions. My face was confused and I as I sat there, I began to feel a peace and confirmation come over me. Almost like a mantel rest upon my shoulders. I still can't believe it. Lars has been called to be a bishop in downtown SLC and that's why Lori is getting released. So, I'm tasked with figuring out my counselors now. I have been serving with Kit and Natalie Montegue. I was cautioned not to just keep them but to really look over the ward list and consider every name. My biggest worry with the new calling is time. I just feel like I hardly have any time. Even with the counselors, Bishop would like me to get names to him by Thursday. But when will I have time? I loved when Bishop asked Dad what he thought about the call. Dad is just the best. He was as blown away by it as me. But he said a lot of really nice things and turned to me and said "we'll figure it out." It was so simple but powerful. I remember him saying the same thing when Bishop Nash asked us to go to the temple weekly. Dad said "we'll figure it out," and we did and continue to figure it out together. I seriously won the lottery when I married Dad. Speaking of that, today I taught the lesson in YWs on Eternal Marriage. It was a tricky one. That lesson used to be so fun to teach. But now-a-days it's just tricky with how messy life has become. I went about 1,000 different directions and finally pulled it together late last night. Here are a few quotes I used that I just loved: "Our standing before the Lord and in His Church is not a matter of our marital status but of our becoming faithful and valiant disciples of Jesus Christ. Adults want to be seen as adults and to be responsible and contribute as adults. Disciples of Jesus Christ come from everywhere, in every shape, size, hue, and age, each with talents, righteous desires, and immense capacities to bless and serve. We seek daily to follow Jesus Christ with faith unto repentance and enduring joy." - Elder Gong "…Jesus Christ invites us to become, like Him, a good Samaritan, to make His Inn (His Church) a refuge for all from life’s bruises and storms. We prepare for His promised Second Coming as each day we do unto “the least of these” as we would unto Him. “The least of these” is each of us." - Elder gong Elder D. Todd Christofferson stated: “To declare the fundamental truths relative to marriage and family is not to overlook or diminish the sacrifices and successes of those for whom the ideal is not a present reality. Some of you are denied the blessing of marriage for reasons including a lack of viable prospects, same-sex attraction, physical or mental impairments, or simply a fear of failure...Or you may have married, but that marriage ended, and you are left to manage alone what two together can barely sustain. Some of you who are married cannot bear children despite overwhelming desires and pleading prayers. Even so, everyone has gifts; everyone has talents; everyone can contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan in each generation. Much that is good, much that is essential—even sometimes all that is necessary for now—can be achieved in less than ideal circumstances. So many of you are doing your very best...With confidence we testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has anticipated and, in the end, will compensate all deprivation and loss for those who turn to Him. No one is predestined to receive less than all that the Father has for His children." I think it went ok. I was SO glad to have it over. I just feel like the girls need to know that life is messy. The ideal sometimes isn't reality but there is still a place for you in the church and the Lord will never stop loving you. And to always work towards the ideal. Well, I hope you enjoy all the pics. We really missed you this week. Good luck with the week ahead. Be patient with yourself. Dig deep as you take on the new responsibility. It's an opportunity to grow. Stay green. The Lord loves you and He will walk by your side. And this pep talk is sounding a little more like the one I need than the one you need. Keep up the great work. We are praying for you and those you are teaching and serving with. The people in Kyiv don't know HOW LUCKY they are going to be in a couple of hours to have the best missionary show up in their area. Hit them with your best shot....I had to....I just felt right. Love you tons! Mom