Goodbye Seminary! Hello Relief Society!

For almost all the time we've lived in Portland, I've taught seminary which is a four year program for high school students designed to teach them to study and use the scriptures in their daily lives.

 In our church we are asked to serve in various callings for a time and we feel that these 'callings' are given to us by Priesthood Leaders who receive inspiration.  My years in seminary have been absolutely wonderful.  I can honestly say that being a seminary teacher is the best calling in the church.  I mean it is just plain fun as well as being spiritually uplifting and testimony strengthening.  The first years I taught every other day from 7:35 - 8:50 but this year I've taught every day from 6:10 - 7.  That means I've been getting up at 4:45 a.m.  I have to admit that it has been hard but so worth it.

One of my last lessons was on David and Goliath.  The 9 foot tall Goliath I created 4 years ago was used again. Here he is with two of the tallest boys in the class.

 

And here with two of the shortest girls!

After attacking him with pencils and using a sling shot to shoot marshmallows at him.....

 

We had a really wonderful discussion about the Goliaths in our own lives, hulking giants with evil intent to destroy and weaken us.  How do we defeat them?  In the words of our last prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, "You need not fear if you have the slingshot of truth in your hands. You have been counseled and taught and advised.  You have the stones of virtue and honor and integrity to use against these enemies...when they challenge you, you can hit them between the eyes.  You can triumph over them by disciplining yourself to avoid them.  You can say to the whole lot of them as David said to Goliath, "Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, who thou hast defied". Victory will be yours.  There is not a person in this Church who needs to surrender to any of these forces.  You are a child of God. You have His power within you to sustain you.  You have the right to call upon God to protect you.  Do not let Goliath frighten you.  Stand your ground...and you will be triumphant. "

Can you think of a better way to start your day than with a discussion like that?

No calling lasts forever though.  

One of the quirks of the LDS church is that our wards or congregations are determined by geographical boundaries.  If you move across town, or around the world, you can figure out which 'Ward' you should attend.  Other times you might stay in the same house only to have the ward boundaries change around you and suddenly you are in a different 'ward'. One lady I know has been in the same house for 30 years and has been in 4 wards!  The 7 congregations in our area just experienced a boundary change.  Instead of 7 wards now there are 10!  And with that change came a new 'calling' for me!

I'm now the President of the Relief Society which is the organization for adult women in LDS wards.  To quote from Mormon.org

The Relief Society is the oldest and largest women's organization in the world. Relief Society was established in 1842 for women 18 years of age and older. Its purpose is to build faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need.

So it is goodbye to my 21 teenagers and hello to 126 adult women! My circle of love just expanded.  A few months ago I barely knew the kids in my seminary class.  But now I can honestly say that I love them.  I want to keep in touch with them and hear about their lives.  My love for them won't go away with a new calling.  They have a new teacher that will learn to love them and that they will learn to love.  And I'll learn to love the women in the Lakeridge Ward in a new way.   Love doesn't end when callings change. Love just expands.  It's funny that way!

#26 - Todd

Foster Guide Dog #26 is a big boy named Todd!  He treasures all his bones. And LOVES having his head scratched.

 He'll be with us for awhile until he is ready to start his training.  We think he will be a great guide dog as he's super friendly, obedient, and interested in everything going on around him.

Because he's a young dog with lots of energy we go on many walks during the day.  This time of year that is a real pleasure, especially in our beautiful neighborhood by the Willamette River!

Weekend to Remember Part 4

It was hard to say goodbye to all those beloved faces!

 

Our drive back to Portland was uneventful and quite beautiful.

 

We came home to extensive boundary changes within our Stake.  The 7 wards that had made up the Lake Oswego Stake are now 10 wards, 10 small wards! We are right on the edge but still in our Lakeridge ward.  The same ward, minus a couple of hundred people!  New adventures await!

Weekend to Remember - Part 3

George and I were so happy to have our four 'kids' together!  Seems like that is getting harder and harder to do as they get older.  Mary still calls her youngest brother 'Shorty'.  This picture proves that she may need to think of another nickname for him!

 

It was also great for Isabella to meet her Aunt Mary.  Every girl needs an Aunt Mary!

A Weekend to Remember Part 1

Isabella's Blessing Day

What a joy it was to be there to watch our son use his priesthood to bless our beautiful little granddaughter!

 

Aunt Mary and Great-Aunt Karen were there too!  And of course Uncles Matt and Scott!

 

I have said many times to my seminary kids that the decision of who to marry is the most important one they'll ever make.  I'm so happy that both of our married children choose wisely.  Monica is a devoted mother and a loving wife.  She is adapting so well to our American culture and to being surrounded by people speaking English.  I admire her!  John was so cute in his testimony to explain how he calls her 'mi amor' (my love) and because he says it so much it has essentially become her name.  This makes me so happy!

 

Isabella dress was exquisite with beautiful detailing.  

 

Even her shoes were fit for a princess!

 

We decided to have her name and the date embroidered into the hem.  I hope this dress will become an heirloom for any little girls born into our family.

 We sure love this little angel and her Mom and Dad!

 

Grandma and Grandpa and Miss Isabella!

#25 Ryder

Foster guide dog #25 only spent a few days with us but he was a near perfect dog.  He's actually a guide dog but the person he guides had an accident and can't use him for a while so he's in long term foster care.  That foster care provider had to be out of town for a week so I guess you could say that we were doing foster care for the foster care provider!

Debi his 'long term care provider' is a wonderful pet photographer.  Her three yellow labs have graced the pages of the Guide Dogs for the Blind calendar and Christmas cards and invitations.  During the last year she lost two of her elderly dogs so that is why she is able to do foster care now.  I love that she uses costumes and props...George thinks it borders on dog abuse but the dogs really don't seem to mind!  Here is Ryder with his 'brother' Culver celebrating New Year's eve!  Ryder is the one in the blue hat!

 

Debi's dogs live the good, if slightly spoiled life!  Look at that trail of toys!  Ryder is the one in back.

 

So many dogs to love!