No One Owns A Calling

Yesterday after serving for 2 years and 3 months, we were released as a Relief Society Presidency. It was a sad day. If anyone had told me 4 or 5 years ago that I would love Relief Society with all my heart, I would question their sanity but here I am saying that very thing. The 7th Ward sisters taught me through their service, love, words, and charity that the Relief Society motto is alive and well.

I learned to love our president, Shelly Johnson. She is so patient and calm regardless of what is going on around her. She is quietly strong and abundantly loving. She taught me each and every day about our Savior's love and mission. Never would I have known that she understood every challenge I was faced with over the last two years. She had the answers I needed to give me peace and comfort.

I learned to love the other counselor, NanC Smith. Oh, the wisdom and unconditional love she has. She is a rock and the most loving mother - though she has no children. I am grateful for all the insight and leadership she taught me.

I learned to love our secretary, Lynette Richeson. She didn't know what to expect with this presidency but she was strengthened. I love her innocence of the gospel - just simplify it. She has a teenage son so she had answers and support when I needed it.

These sisters served and magnified their callings. Oh how I'm going to miss our weekly presidency meetings - the laughter, the tears, the love, the friendship, the sincere concern for each other and our sisters, the prayers, the decisions.



I learned to love visiting teaching and how vital it is in the church's role in members lives and it's leadership. If visiting teaching is going well, the sisters are doing well. If the sisters are not getting visited and the teachers are not unconditionally loving their sisters, things don't go well.

Love and service is the key to coming unto Christ!

Personal challenges during this calling
It was through my personal/family challenges that I relied on the Relief Society from which I learned and grew to love the sisterhood.
*Two weeks after being called, my mother-in-law attempted suicide in our home after living with us for nine months. Shelly knew exactly how it felt from personal experiences with family members and said just the right things. NanC and Lynette shared their support and love.
*Six months into the calling, Marcie called to inform us of her and Emry's challenges. Shelly opened her heart and home to Melanie and loved her unconditionally. That gave us great strength through some tough days. The love and service rendered when Emry was born and then after her death. Eternal gratitude and service is just not enough to pay it all back.
*Sixteen months, Duncan disappeared overnight and drove to Enterprise. What a dark night! Lynette come to my home when I was all alone when everyone else was searching for him. She does not know how much I needed that right then.

Now that we have been released our personal/family major trials are over, right?! (hee, hee, hee)

Another Girls Day Out

Jennifer, Cynthia and I were signed up for a cooking class at Orson Gygi today at noon. When we arrived, they told us it had been canceled and would let us know when they might reschedule it. We waited for Cynthia. And unfortunately, there was a mix-up in the time so she didn't make it. (We missed her!) As we were waiting for Cynthia, Jennifer and I decided to do something fun since we were planning on doing something so we did! We had a few ideas but settled on visiting Gardner Village. Oh, bubba. What a great time!



We dreamed as we walked through the different shops, discussed/investigated HOW to make certain things, and gathered many ideas.


The highlight of the day was at Sweet Afton's. I have a really good fudge recipe that I've been making for decades but this shop expanded my vision and, more importantly, my taste buds. Oh my! It was divine. They only allow one sample (I didn't see the sign) but I asked for two. I tried Caramel Coconut Fudge and Boston Creme fudge. Jennifer tried cookie dough. Soooooo good! I loved the Boston Cream. It was Amarillo, maraschino cherries, and chocolate fudge. Yummy! The cookie dough was white chocolate with real chunks of cookie dough. Yummy! But the best, most divine, was the Caramel Coconut Fudge. I bought enough to bring home to figure it out. Oh, bubba! I MUST try to duplicate it so everyone can try it.

Thanks Jennifer for making my day!!

New baby, new dress

A new family in our ward recently had a baby so I quickly made a dress for her. This year in school, John has had several of his new students move into our ward boundaries. The Stephens family moved in back in early November. Knowing they lived in our ward, we went to visit them. We had a great visit, introducing ourselves and getting to know them. Come to find out they were members of the church. Jason, the husband/dad, was recently laid off from work so they have been struggling. And with Angela eight-months pregnant, it was very difficult. Not having family close by, we offered to help when they had the baby. The afternoon/night Angela delivered the baby, the two kids (Aliana and Ashton) stayed with us. Boy did they have fun! They loved playing with Donuts (our poopin' dog) and the Wii. They are a great family!!