Two Tender Mercies in One Sabbath Day, October 23, 2016

I have to quickly write the feelings of pure joy and adoration for my Father in Heaven over something that happened today.

Probably only my family will read this in my life, but I won't write too much of the background, but suffice it to say that I have enjoyed my Stake Primary Presidency calling as First Counsellor.  I have enjoyed getting to know the Stake leaders, the leaders in each ward of our stake.  I have enjoyed doing sharing times at each ward conference, feeling the children's spirits, the teacher's love and dedication.

But I have truly and deeply missed being in a ward.  We are away from our ward for all the 10 ward's primary programs, and for each ward's ward conferences.  I have felt like I don't really fit in anywhere.  Of course, I love my presidency - Julie, Susan and Lisa, but I've still missed my ward.

I have also felt a deep desire to be with our Elizabeth in Young Women's.  I was able to serve in Young Women's when Heather was in it, and I missed being in it with Nikole.  It's probably my favorite place to serve.  I love teenagers.

Soooo, privately, for the last six months, or with Blaine only, I have prayed fervently that Heavenly Father would not forget me, that if it were possible, I would love to be back in my ward, and especially love to serve with my Elizabeth in Young Women's.  (Our Stake Primary presidency has served for 3 years).  I would always say, "If it be Thy will".  I would also ask that my ward leaders would be prompted to think of me.

I knew it was a long shot, because stake leaders aren't usually released until the Stake Presidency says it' time.

When fall approached and my president began to call for a couple of stake primary presidency meetings, I thought that this was my answer.  I needed to put my whole heart in, and we were going to do another year.  So, I did.  But I kept praying.

Well, Sunday, Lisa Foster and I asked to attend our own ward primary sacrament program.  Julie and Susan went to Victor to ward that had theirs at 9 am, also.

As I was sitting in our chapel, waiting for the sacrament meeting to start, Brother Peter McKellar, who is in our Bishopric, came to me, and asked if I could meet with the Bishop at 10:15, after sacrament meeting!  My heart started beating faster : )  I thought, "Could this really be?"   But then I told myself that the Bishopric probably wanted to ask some primary question from a Stake leader.  Or maybe they had some kind of question.  I knew that Jill, our current primary president, was moving to Idaho Falls, so it could be a primary president calling.  I knew that Becky, my long, dear friend who served in my RS Presidency, and has been the YW President for a long time, maybe four years, is due for a release, so it could be a young women calling of any sort . . . but I just was having trouble, believing that it could be either, I told myself it must be a question.

After sacrament meeting, Lisa and I went to our Primary, representing the Stake, to tell the children and leaders what a good job they did.

Then I went to wait outside the Bishop's office.

Soon, the door opened, and Bishop Hill and Brother Bob Foster, were in the hallway, talking to someone.  Then I was invited in.

I sat down, across the desk from them.  Bishop Hill and I chit-chatted for a few minutes.  Then he said that they had a new calling to extend to me, that he had talked to the stake already, and received their approval, and he wanted to know if I would be willing to accept a call to be our ward's Young Women's First Counsellor in the Presidency!!!!! : ) : ) : )

Oh, my!  Hosannah!  Hosannah!  Alleulia! My prayer had been answered!  I choked right up, and cried, but squeaked out my story of praying fervently for 6 months, but I didn't want to complain,  and told how I had prayed that Bishop Hill or Peter or Bob Foster would be prompted to remember me, if it was the Lord's will.  I told how I miss my own ward.

Bob and Bishop Hill looked very touched.  I told them they listened to the Spirit!  They told me the President was Ann Marie Kunz, so really it was she who listened to the Holy Ghost.  Oh!  Words cannot express the joy I feel over this miracle.   This tender mercy!  The Heaven's are still open, the Lord still hears every person's heartfelt prayers.  Valiant members of the Church still listen to promptings from the Father!

Fall and Haunted Forest Family Outing, General Conference last weekend, Star Valley Temple, October 9, 2016

We had a wonderful evening with Derek, Breanna and Nikole going to the Haunted Forest by Rexburg.  Elizabeth, Carl, Blaine and I headed out to Rexburg Saturday evening.  We all ate at Fong's Chinese Restaurant.  Then we drove to the Forest.

It was good, clean fun.  It was slightly scary.  We enjoyed each other's company.  It is so fun to have those three all at BYU-I!

Breanna continues to be just beautiful - inside and out.  She is so pretty.  She supports Derek.  My favorite quote from her this week was, "His goals are my goals", after I thanked her for being so supportive while Derek was working with Brandon to apply for an inernship with Nielsen Marketing (where Brandon works).  It was grueling process.  Derek ended up being selected for an interview, out of about 100 applicants, he was 1 of 12 to be selected for an interview on BYU-Provo Campus.  It was touch to apply - he and Brandon and Heather got his resume in tip top shape - oh, he's really accomplished so much and it looks wonderful.  He had a cover letter, one let of rec from Peter McKellar, one from Brandon.  Then the interview Thursday night, then the "Mix and Mingle" with the other 11 young people and the recruiters, then home to an email that invites him to take an online exam, which asked tons of interesting not usual questions - abstract.

Derek has 10 gray hairs.  We think it from being stressed over Breanna's health and then this application process for Nielsen.

I had my last Sunday in my own ward today.  Now we move on to ward primary program visits.
I requested a meeting this week for our stake primary presidency, so we can plan our upcoming leadership training, etc.  We are shooting for Thursday.

Brandon P. found out that Nielsen is not going to do their usual "Jump Start" program for their employees that have been there one year - my understanding is that it lets you do a program that in one year's time gives you 3 years of what it would normally take.  So, he's been working his tail off, way, way over-achieving with that goal in mind.  Now they're going to only offer it for new graduates.

So, now they will be staying in Cincinnati, not moving to Chicago, where the "Jump Start" would have required them to move.  They can start looking for a new home to move to.  They would have waited.  Now they can put their rental money into a home.  So far, they've discovered that a 3 bedroom home with two car garage is between $110 - $160,000, based on how large  or fancy you get.  Their monthly payment would be about half of what they are paying for rent right now! : )

Nikole is sooooo happy at college.  She came home with us last night for Isabella Wilson's farewell and Katelyn Bates' homecoming report.  But back she went.  She is dating 5 or 6 young men, just having so much fun in that area.  Still getting good grades, still happier than she's been in a long time so thrilled with her blessings.

Loved Sister Kayleen Moulton's lesson in RS today - about families.  Loved seeing Bishop Moulton and her, they are some of our favorite people.

I have to go to bed.

Hope to type again soon.  So many tender mercies in our life every day.

I love the Savior and the restored gospel.  Loved going to the open house for the Star Valley Temple on Friday with Carl and Lizzie.  I loved General Conference last week-end!  Love our leaders.