Fall, We bid you Adieu

This week we had a big wind storm, and the leaves started to fall.  It's a good thing we had the Cider Festival when we did, because now all the beautiful red leaves are on the ground!

In years past, the leaves falling to the ground has given me and unbelievably sad feeling.  This year, I didn't feel that.  I wondered why?  And the answer was pretty clear.  There is so much to be happy about!

Reason #1 to be happy this week:

This book of scripture, which is indeed "Another Testament of Jesus Christ", as the title proclaims it to be, I was able to give away this week to a client that has come twice to see me, Randy.  As we finished the treatment this week, I said, "Now I am not charging any more, because I want to talk to you about some of my religious feelings."  And began by explaining that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us, and that we lived with him before we came here.  I shared with him that our Heavenly Father prepared a plan for us to come to earth to gain experience and progress, a plan which included a Savior.  After sharing about the Savior's role and the Atonement, I handed him a Book of Mormon, and read to him from 1 Nephi 8, about Lehi being in a dark and dreary waste (which is a similar description to what he saw last week), and how Lehi found the tree and partook of the fruit that brought him joy.  I testified that the Book of Mormon contained the word of God, which would bring that joy.  When I was turning pages, the book fell open to Moroni 10:3-5, because I had placed a mormon.org card there.  So I showed him those verses that I had marked.  I started to read them, and my voice caught, and I couldn't go on.  I was too emotional.  So after a few attempts he said, "Do you want me to read them?", and I said yes.  He read them through, twice.  "Wow", he said, "that is powerful."  Interestingly enough, another friend of his had given him a Book of Mormon only a few weeks ago.  He said, "He gave me this Book, and now here you are giving it to me.  I'm open."  I have been praying for him since then, that he will be honest and genuine in seeking to find answers, because if he does, he surely will find them.  I left with sharing with him what a wonderful, honest and gentle spirit he has.  "Do you really think so?" was his reply.  I assured him that I did.

What a great experience to share the gospel, the light of Christ, hope, and faith.  There is joy to be found, there is the tree and the fruit, amidst the dark and dreary waste!

Reason #2 to be happy this week:

At the end of October, I had 101 active distributors in my Young Living Downline!  Yeah!  This shows 108, because that's how many we've added in the last two days.  The reason this makes me happy is because I think of 108 people who have Young Living essential oils in their home, many of them using them on a daily basis and finding as great of benefit from them as we do.  This makes me fell good all over.  :)

Reason #3 to be happy this week:
Peter had a choir concert this week!

 He did great.  Mary and I both agreed that their 7th grade choir sounded better than any we've heard in a long time, if ever.  Peter's choir teacher said that sometimes he had to tell Peter to tone it down, because he has such a strong voice and can sing out.  This is not an easy thing to do when you're 13!  Way to go Peter!

Reason #4 to be happy this week:
Happiness comes from something as simple as having a prayer answered to find a part to a Halloween costume.  This may not sound like a big deal to someone else, but it is to me!  And Heavenly Father knows that, and helps me in countless ways.  So we had these two cute costumes going on this week.

 To be sure, this is not a costume for Peter - it's pretty much what he'd rather be wearing all the time.

 Grandma and Grandpa came over and got the pumpkin carving started.  Mary, Peter and Libby had fun with that.

 We went over to our Ward Trunk-or-Treat.  You can see Mary off to the side in her 80's costume (which she pulled out of my drawers).

 This is one way to light the Jack-o-Lanterns!  Most people just use a lighter or matches.  But when you have a torch, why not use it?

 Libby went trick-or-treating around our neighborhood with Hayden and Ragen, and afterwards they had a "candy swap" over at their house.

 Jesse went on a date with Brennan.  His uncle loves Halloween, so he has a big spook alley event every year, which they went to.  They are dressed as the music major nerds that they are!  ha ha

Bruce and I went on a date with our friends and neighbors, Randy and Lori.  They made a fabulous dinner for us and then we played Masterpiece.  It was a lot of fun.  We have been going on some double-dates with friends lately and look forward to it all week.

On Saturday afternoon, I rode up to a town about two hours north of here with my friends Karen and Krissi, and we did a Young Living introductory meeting.  There was a great turn-out and we had some excellent results. This is one of the reasons that I love doing the business so much - the fact that I get to meet new people all the time.  I thrive on that.  And also because I am constantly learning new things (and teaching them), and working with health at the same time - I just can't imagine anything else that would be more fun and fulfilling (besides being a wife and mother).

We had the missionaries over for dinner last night.  We ended up with the usual round of having them try NingXia Red and chia seed, and I gave each of them a Foot Zone.  We didn't give them kefir - we'll have to wait for another night on that.  ha ha

So that's why I am happy, even though we are settling down into winter once again - not my favorite time of year.  But I am actually looking forward to evenings around the fire, playing games and enjoying holidays.  Bring it on!

Now to November

Now to November...  but wait!  Here are a few things still from October...

I decided to start adding some of Joshua's pictures and news to the blog.  I send an email out to some of you, but the pictures don't always get attached.

Josh actually likes this dog.  But look at his shoes!

Josh is training Elder Z. from México

The baptism of José Santo!

 This is a paragraph from Josh's letter last week that I just loved, especially the Spanish part!

We had a really cool lesson with an older man named Manuel. He came to church this past Sunday (not yesterday though because I guess he was in San Salvador, but we're gonna see what happened with that haha), but it was a really awesome lesson. Short but powerful. At first it was really hard to teach him. He's really old. That's all I have to say. hahah but then a friend came that was really crazy and started talking to us. Eventually I just signaled to Elder Z. to teach Manuel and I would talk to this other guy. He just went on and on about how Jesus gave us all and then applying that to the lottery tickets that he was selling. Basically loco. But I eventually he left. So I returned to the lesson and Elder Z. was struggling to teach this man because he just wasn't focusing well. So I asked for his grand-daughter to bring a piece of paper. Then I did a drawing for him (I know, Josh drawing.. what?? haha). Not a very fancy one by any means, but it was simple. That's what I wanted. I explained how God created us and wants us to return to live with us. Then the connection of prophets, the gospel, apostasy and all that. The priesthood. So after, he looked at me and said, "entonces, usted esta diciéndome que este iglesia es el unico iglesia verdadero y todos los demas no son verdaderos." "Si, estoy diciendole eso. Es porque es el unico iglesia con este autoridad o sacerdocio." "Vaya, cuando esta el culto?" "Domingo a las 9. Mismo tiempo." "Ustedes van a traerme verdad?" "Claro que si Manuel." "Vaya esta bien." So then a little later, after talking a little bit of baptism, he said, "Mmmm, cuando puede hacer eso. Cuando puedo hacerlo? Quizas en Diciembre?" "Si Manuel, claro que si." "Mmm, quizas el 22. Puedo hacerlo el 22?" That was sooo cool. We're gonna have to work a lot more with him to help him really understand everything, but it was really powerful.

Jesse and Mary had their first choir concert for Madrigals in October.  They sang beautifully!  Because of their experience with the choir invitational at ISU, they began harder music earlier in the year than they normally do.  Mary also performed in the Show Choir to "Seize the Day".  It was so fun to watch!  She did awesome in her first Show Choir performance.

Jesse is second from the left, and Mary is third from the right (the second girl is hidden)

Here are some Halloween pictures:

We had a fun night at a trunk-or-treat with our ward.  Everyone brought cornbread and/or chili.  I brought my whole wheat cornbread recipe, and it was yummy!

OK - NOW to NOVEMBER...

On the first weekend, Grandma & Grandpa W and Jesse and I went to visit Angie and her family. 
One morning, Angie and I went to walk on the green belt.  I got to tell her all about the book I was reading, Visions of Glory, and we had a great talk.

Jesse got to spend the day with Joseph at college!  These two were so happy to see each other.  When your best friend is not with you, you miss them a lot.  :)

 
Ethan got ordained to be a Deacon while we were there.  It was so fun to be a part of that, especially because Joseph got to stand in the circle to ordain Ethan.  Congratulations, Ethan!

Angie, Ethan, Rodney

Joseph, Ethan, Jesse, Lorena

Three out of the ten of us siblings were there.  I can't even remember what the bicep curls were for.  Maybe something about how it rocks to live in Idaho!

Craig, Angie and Lorena

I LOVE to be with my brothers and sisters.  I know that not everyone can say that, but for me it is true.  Next to Bruce and my children, there's no one I'd rather talk to or be with.

Our High School football team had a great season!  Here is a celebration down on the field as they advanced in the state tournament.  Jesse and Mary are down in the middle of that crowd.









Besides celebrating on the football field, Jesse and Mary tried out and made the Honor Choir, which is made up of choir students from around 15 area high schools that audition to be in this choir.  They practice on 3 different nights, and then they get together for 2 days during the school day and practice with everybody.  Then they put on a concert after the 2nd day.  It was a beautiful concert.  Loved it!




 Jesse and Mary and choir friends are gathered around the piano singing impromptu a Madrigal Song - Requiem - before boarding the bus to go to Honor Choir.  I was there substituting for the choir teacher, so I got to capture this moment.  Jesse was playing the piano, of course.

 And finally, Jesse and Mary got to be a part of the Youth Cultural Celebration for the new Temple!

Logan, Jesse, Mary, Tori

Peter also got to attend, but mostly as a spectator.  Jesse and Mary sang in the 900+ member choir!  Jesse said, "I couldn't stop smiling!  Usually when I feel the Spirit, I feel more solemn, but there I could not stop smiling!"  It was so fun to be able to hear the youth cheer for the prophet.  Usually they have to hold it in and be reverent, but in this celebration, thy were able to clap and cheer with all their enthusiasm.  Elder William Walker said with a smile, "Now you know why we don't cheer at General Conference."

There is so much to say about the Celebration!  The choir was beautiful, and the dancers put on great numbers.  They were simple, but well done and included a lot of creativity, humor, fun and color.  While we were waiting for it to begin, they showed pictures of all the missionaries in the area that are out serving right now.  They flashed them really quickly on the screen, about three every second, but we managed to get a glimpse of Josh's picture!  That was so fun!  And then we saw Mary on the big screen three different times, on a closeup with Kimi and Brighton by her, and we saw Jesse twice.  Actually it was Libby that picked out Jesse both times! President Monson endeared himself to the crowd by his actions and playfulness.  He said that some members of the Quorums think that these celebrations aren't necessary, but he said, "I'm an advocate for these, and I have some say."  :)

Yesterday morning we had the crowning jewel - the Temple Dedication.  We got there early - at 7:50 am, so we had some time in our seats to be ready.  Wonderful talks were given by Bro. and Sister Brinkerhoff, the Temple president and his wife, Elder Christensen from the Seventy, and then Elder David A. Bednar and Pres. Monson.  Elder Bednar contrasted the ways of the world with the ways of the Temple in a masterful talk that struck me powerfully.  And then Pres. Monson in his usual storied way, taught the gospel in its real essence.  His dedicatory prayer was beautiful, and to do the Hosanna shout was wonderful!  I imagined the Savior to be in the very room, and I felt almost overwhelmed by a deep reverence and love for Him!  Mary said after the dedication, "Now I know true joy."

I am SO GRATEFUL to have a Temple again close to us.  I got to go to the Twin Falls Temple about once a month, but I am looking forward to going once a week again to this closer Temple!  I know that it is truly The House of the Lord.

End of October - and all that goes with it...

All is well here. We went to our English speaking Ward today. It was good for the family - all are excited to be back in this ward. I am too, but still struggling with not being in the Spanish Branch. Tears come easily if I start to think about it the least little bit and I have a huge ache in my heart. It's hard for me to leave.

I am going down to my Aunt Marzelle's funeral this weekend. She was a very special person to me, one of my closest Aunt's, and I am so happy for her to be with Uncle Murl (who passed on last year) and for her mortal journey to be over. Besides all the wonderful memories, which are the most important, she left Bruce and I with the beautiful quilt that we have slept under for the last 18+ years. It was a wonderful gift that she gave us for our wedding.

Bruce and Joseph went hunting Fri and Sat. Joseph got an elk, so we are grateful for that! They'll have to tell you more about it.Stetson and Whitney are coming up for Thanksgiving! Yeah!!! Open invitation to who else wants to come - we'd love to have you!

Libby was a centipede (see the end of this post) and Peter was a Ninja for Halloween. Mary was an M&M and Jesse dressed up as a black crayon, with three of her friends as orange, blue, and green crayons. They were really cute. Josh dressed up in the clothes he wore on the Handcart Trek he went on last summer. It was a mellow, and good, Halloween.

Yesterday Jesse and I refereed at a soccer tournament. I did four games, which was too many, as my left knee was really hurting by the end. But before that, it was fun to be out getting some exercise and earning some money at the same time. I missed being home with Mary, Peter and Libby, however.

Have a good week everyone.

The Bittersweet

My life is full of bittersweets right now.
I love these Young Men and Young Women, and the rest of the Spanish branch members so much. Les quiero para siempre.

Last week we were released from our calling in the Spanish Branch. We will speak in the branch next Sunday, and that will be our last week. This is bitter.

But that means that we will back in the Ward with wonderful people like Tammy, Jacob and Becky,
and Craig and Sondra. (And time to get some more current photos too!)
This is sweet.

We went to 7th ward (used to be 4th ward) today for Carly's farewell talk, and I cried for the first ten minutes I was there because I felt such a deep love for the members, a welling up of emotion. I have had to seal that off somewhat for the last two years, and today it was opened up again, overwhelmingly so. Yes - this is sweet!

Another sweet:
But the thought of winter coming on, and saying good-bye to this for another seven months is bitter.

Also, living in our home, and enjoying how wonderful it is - this is sweet. Knowing that we'd be much better off financially if it had sold is bitter.

I'm half way through my long-term sub position at the High School. I had the most wild class of my tenure (ha ha- that sounds funny) this week on Wednesday with paper airplanes flying around the room. I made them leave their backpacks at the back of the room the next two days. They were really mad at me, but it solved the problem. On Friday after school, one of the staff members pointed out 6 different examples of graffiti that were gang signs. She told me I had to put a stop to it. Hmmm - not quite sure how to do that. And the swearing. I'd love to hear something really old fashioned like dang, or Oh my heck! Ha ha. The fact that I will leave all this in three weeks is sweet.

However, I'm also starting to REALLY care about these kids and their future. And I really do quite enjoy teaching, and knowing I'm making some money to contribute to the family (besides the fact that it's really needed). The fact that I will leave this in three weeks is, you guessed it, bitter.

Nothing bitter about this, though!! This is all sweetness!

Libby's Halloween Costume is the caterpillar from James and the Giant Peach, which they are studying (and dressing up for) this month at their school. The fact that we had this costume sitting in the costume box (thank you cousins) is a tender mercy of the Lord, and a nod to my husband's persistence.

Through all the bitter and the sweet, the hand of the Lord is evident. I, with Sis. Worthlin, say "Come what may, and love it."