Be Assured

Did you think I fell of the face of the planet? Almost! Some of this you may have heard, but it's recap time. After working for four months (pretty near straight), falling at the mall (twice), recuperating (it took so long), Tommy and Haley's wedding June 1st, last minute extended family reunion in early July, Janna leaving on her mission mid-July, and Tommy and Haley moving to Clovis, CA - I'm not done yet - Tom and Janna had quite an entourage in tow when they were here too which left when they left. Between grand kids, family, young adults, whatever - there was lots of cooking, cleaning, and don't get me wrong with these rumblings, FUN too. I was all about it, but I also yearned to find some quiet moments which seemed too few amid the daily hubbub of our household.

I admit I was a little stressed out and Hugh and I both blamed it on the fact that we both turned 60 in July - again, not complain'n, just explain'n (as my mother would say).  Through all this I was supposed to be losing weight and reporting monthly on my blog, but admittedly neither has happened.  I've decided I'm not reporting on my blog on a monthly basis about my weight. No fear, it's still a goal - losing weight, being healthy, being strong. I'm still on the program, but the monthly reporting was supposed to help me and it has not.  I set many a goal in my daily living that I do not report to the world.  After I accomplish  a goal I might write about it on my blog, telling what I've learned; like when I went to the temple every week in 2012.

I had a goal this summer to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover.  I did it in two months; no doubt this reading has been fundamental in what has kept me going during this summer brouhaha.  The quiet moments of reading the words of Christ is, of course, an antidote to any of life's ills.  I read the Book of Mormon everyday, but I read more and I can certainly feel the benefits - it was sustaining.

I tell all this, gearing up to what was a big surprise to me.  My husband has been called as the bishop of our ward.  I confess, because Hugh had been called to serve as a  bishop some 16 years ago; I mentally figured - been there, done that, we're done! But our service to God is never done and so here we go again.  It was good that this call came after all our summer busyness.  Our house is quiet - dare I say,  too quiet after all the intense activity.

Hughie is busy being bishop and working long hours at a business that is struggling in this crazy economy. Sam started high school and likes it.  Becky is still at home.  She works with the Activity Day girls, leads the music in Relief Society, and works at Chuck E. Cheese.  Me, I'm second counselor in our ward Primary presidency. We're currently preparing for the annual Primary presentation. I'm still substituting too.

So . . . we didn't fall off the face of the planet,
but be assured,

we're still on the trail.

(Photo from the day we arrived home from last year's trek.)

"There is a way for everyone . . . to participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the world with light and truth."

—Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Word for the Hesitant Missionary", Ensign, February 2013