Grandma's 80th Birthday

We had a fun open house for Grandma T this weekend. Lots of family and friends came to celebrate this special day with grandma. Their was a neat program where special talents were shared for Grandma. Dave presented Grandma with a book he made with her poems in it. She is such a great poet. Here is two of my favorites:
DAD—TO MINE- a teenage view

(1948)

Tis said that we neglect our Dad.  If this was true “twould indeed be sad.

But Dad has the favorite spot in heart and home and garden spot.

It’s Dad that gets the cozy chair.  At table – best glass and silverware.

The largest piece of pie he claims. A second helping is his aim

We pick the rosebuds just for Dad.  Of course we smile when he is glad.

His bed is best, his bath comes first.  But he thinks he is treated worst.

Oh yes, it’s Dad who pays the bills.  He calls the doctor and buys the pills.

He worries over this and that and still our Dad is getting fat.

The meal is served, when he can eat.  We suit his taste with fish or meat.

So though he claims to be the goat, He mans the ship and guides our boat.

FREEDOM

(DEC. 1970)

In one more year I’ll be free.  It seems almost impossible.  Oh, to be able to do what I want – sleep till noon – have the house stay clean for longer that it takes “two” to follow right behind undoing it all.  I might even begin my teaching career again, in another year, or at least start class to recertify again.

It seemed at every turn my thoughts were of the future when the last little one would be in school

How free I’d be.

The “now” seemed to drag along.  I guessed when a body reaches real mid-life, things begin to pull at the life strings.  There seemed to be one hard, impossible things to do after another.  With five children, how could I expect to have a clean house any of the time.  The future would really be an enlightenment.

Suddenly all was not going as I had planned in my mind.  My expectations seemed lost and vague.  I was plagued with flashes seen from two seemingly different worlds:  One of promised freedom – The other, uncertainty and chaos.

I don’t really remember what was said that day in that very special gathering.  I’ll never ever be able to deny the burning feeling that enveloped me as I sat and listened.  I was so completely overcome that my emotions escaped into the strains of the closing hymn, in quiet sobs.

My life made an abrupt turn at that moment.  There was no need to wait for dreamed future freedom, it had arrived into “now” on wings of song.  I was suddenly free to begin really living once more:  to put aside unimportant, petty wishes, and to surely begin my way back to more unselfish service to those around me.

How much happier I feel each day and how much more spiritually sure footed I feel in the small knowledge that once more We have been chosen to ready ourselves to become, co-creators with God.

            GST

 Love you Grandma!

Our New Ward-Maple Valley

So it's been about a month now that we have been in our new ward.  It's been a big adjustment for all of us.  Just to give you an idea of the changes here is some info we got at the ward splitting meeting.
College Ward and Spring Creek are now three wards.
Before the split College Ward had 667 members and Spring Creek had 481
College Ward had 226 in the Primary and Spring Creek had 117
Now with the split
College Ward has 319 total members, Spring Creek has 431, and Maple Valley has 395
Primary totals for College Ward 89, Spring Creek 109, and Maple Valley 145.

Not only are we in the new ward but we go to a different church building and are meeting time is 2:30.  This is really late for the kids.  We have at least one of the kids who completely fall asleep in Sacrament meeting and then they are not happy to be woke up to go to primary.
Devin is still working with the Deacon's Group and have 2 boys and a couple who are non-members.  This has been a hard adjustment for their group but they are working with it.
I was released from the Primary Presidency and now get to play the organ for Sacrament Meetings.  This is a fun job but very exposing.  I enjoy the challenge and the chance to learn how to play the organ.  Right now I'm working to develop my foot pedal playing and finding great sound combinations with the various stops.  The organ we have is electronic and can save your settings, which is really cool.  Every time I go practice at the church I learn something new.
I substituted in Primary the week before General Conference and it was nice not to be in the front but I do miss seeing the kids every week.  I was use to being the teacher and now I get to be taught in Sunday School and Relief Society so that has been a new experience.  The first week I felt like I was a slacker because I wasn't running all over the church getting materials from the library, checking on primary classes, and helping take kids potty.  I also really miss the relationships that I had while serving in the Presidency.  There is a special bond that you feel as you work together for a common goal, especially when your serving with the Lord.
Change is good and I can see the benefits of this smaller ward.  I am meeting people that have been in the ward for a while but they were hidden because of how large the ward was.