tuesday morning

I just got everyone out the door.  Can I just say that watching them get ready for the day take a Herculean act of patience.  Especially Grace.  She finds so many things to distract herself with that I almost can't stand it.  I usually have to busy myself with chores in her vicinity so I can keep pestering her to do this and do that but not actually watch her.
Also may I just say that the last two mornings I have got to clean up pet vomit.  Yesterday it was Z, today it was P.  And one of the hamsters looks to be on his last leg and one fish tank has got to go, it is stinky.

baker

Yesterday mom and dad left.  We had a wonderful visit with them.  They were so helpful and also so fun to have around.  We went out to lunch on their way out of town.  Now they are visiting Anna for a few days.

Also yesterday we made cookies.  Hannah volunteered to make some for Sister Pincocks baby shower . And then she was busy so Sierra and I made them.  They turned on cute but I think I need some different tools because my piping could be better.

Sunday was a good day.  I had to go to the Somerset Ward ward conference so mom and dad came with me and Sierra took the kids to our ward since Rob flew to Ohio to do some work stuff for a couple of days, which worked out great because it happened to be Abba's birthday and they got to spend that time together. Anyway the ward conference was really nice.  We met with the yw presidency during Sunday School and had a nice visit with them, then we meet with the youth and that is always fun.  It was my turn to speak for part of it and it went fine as well. Then we had sacrament meeting which was just lovely.  They had a beautiful musical number and Bishop Richardson and Pres. Crawley both spoke.  Both talks really touched my heart.  I am so grateful to be a member of Christ's church and to have such wonderful opportunities to feel and be taught by the Spirit.

Bishop Richardson spoke on the parable of the 10 virgins.  He talked about how all the virgins were members of the Christ's church, and all were good people who did what they needed to do.  They were all there with oil in their lamps waiting for Him to arrive.  But some were wise and some were foolish and what was the difference?  And was he wise? (speaking of himself and inviting us to to think of ourselves).  The bridegroom (Christ) tarried and took longer than expected and some ran out of oil.  What was the difference?  What helped some to endure all the way to His coming, to not run out of oil (faith/testimony/).  He suggested it was love.  The pure love of Christ.  Love for Him, love for others around us as we serve them, love of the scriptures, love of doing what is right, love=charity.  

It was food for thought for sure. 

President Crawley spoke powerfully of keeping our eye on the Savior.  Of staying the course and not being swayed by anything, including our fears that we are not doing good enough.  A common problem is self doubt, of shame in our sins and the feeling that we can't do it.  These are tools that Satan uses.  God knew, and knows that we are imperfect, that we will make mistakes, and that we are weak and flawed.  That's why He provided the atonement.  That's why we NEED the Savior.  He is good enough, and HE shares that goodness with us.  It is only Satan whose lies tell us we can't, we aren't worthy, we aren't good enough.  Where there is faith there can not be fear so we we need to have faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ, and in His atoning blood.  Every day we repent and we try our best and we have faith in God's plan.  

It was a lovely talk and a lovely meeting.  

And tonight we have the baby shower, and Grace has talent show practice after school, and we still have Sierra staying with us for another 6 days so that's super fun.  Grandma Joyce's 85th birthday party is Saturday and Sierra stayed to attend, which is lucky for me because we get an extra week with her:)