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Home is where the heart is...

I was talking with a good friend today and I made the comment that I feel as if with everything going on- I don't know who I've talked to recently, and who I haven't.  It's hard to figure out in this world of instant communication- who I've texted, facebook messaged, facebook chat'ed, emailed, talked on the phone with, and in person... and who I just haven't had an opportunity to talk to.

So... in an effort to try and spread the word better, I'll spam my accounts... blogger, facebook, Instagram... and try and spread the word through this.

We are moving!  We thought we would be staying in Edmond Oklahoma until the kids had finished school.  We thought we were at a job that we didn't want to leave, and would last until retirement for Rich.  Sometimes what we thought, doesn't pan out to what happens in our lives.   As we were affected by the current economy and downturn in the oil and gas industry, we began searching for the next job for Rich.  We looked at companies here in Oklahoma.  Our first choice was to stay here, and not have it affect the kids.  Our first choice didn't pan out, and we began looking at other opportunities.  Rich was given the opportunity to work for a company he had worked for previously, and with some interviews and discussion- an offer was extended and accepted. 

We will be moving to The Woodlands, TX.  At first we believed the moving process would take a while.  That our house would not sell quickly, and we would need to keep the family apart while Rich began his job down in TX, and the kids and I continued with school and other obligations here in Oklahoma.  Sometimes in the midst of turmoil when we think prayers are not being answered, we receive absolute answers that cannot be ignored.  Within weeks we had an offer on our house, and had found a house to buy in TX.  Life has continued at warp speed since, as we prepare to leave Oklahoma, and move to TX.  We will be leaving the week after Christmas so we can start the kids at their new schools for the new semester. 

Oklahoma has become a home for us, and we will miss Oklahoma.  We will miss the friends, and people we have grown to love here.  We leave a piece of our hearts here in Oklahoma. 

We also look forward to the future.  We know that there is a reason we are landing where we will be.  We know we will make new friends, and we will learn to love our new home and new surroundings.

There is a blog that I used to read a lot, and one of the phrases she uses with her family is "We Can do Hard Things"  Moving is hard.   I hope through this experience I can instill this phrase in my kids.  My "mother's heart" pleads for those friends we are leaving- who are friends with my kids- to keep in touch with my kids.  Joke with them, give them a "hard time" about their new experiences, and most of all let them know they are loved and they can do this.  For those friends we are about to meet, my prayer is that they accept my kids, quirks and all... that they look to see the people they are- behind the shy exterior that will be shown as they face new schools, new friends, and a new ward at church. 

While all of the above has been happening at seemingly warp speed at times- we have also been mourning that our little dog Jojo has been lost.  He disappeared from a friends house who was watching him while we were out of town and has been missing for over a week.  We are still hopeful he will turn up, but there is a shadow over all our moving preparations with the unknown- of if we will find him or not.  As we face the changes in our lives, please keep us in thoughts and prayers that we will be able to manage the roller coaster that we are riding. 

Girls Camp!

I had the opportunity to go to girls camp this year!  :) It wasn't planned, but there were some other leaders that had things come up that made it so they couldn't go- and I was available so I went!  I found out on a Sunday, we left for Florida on the next Tuesday, and returned two Fridays later.  We got home around midnight, on Friday.  Saturday I unpacked, and repacked, we went to church on Sunday and then Monday morning I headed off to camp!  Quick turn around, but lots of fun. :)

The girls in my cabin and my co-cabin leader.  

Yes we were spoiled- plugs and a/c!

After the week at camp I was asked with some others to speak in Sacrament meeting about my experience as a leader at camp- here's the talk that I gave-

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,I LOVE Girls Camp.  The bugs, the dirt, the bug spray… French braids, canoeing, hiking, campfires, firesides- all of it.  I was one of those girls that they had to gently tell me I had gone enough years- as I pleaded with my leaders into letting me come up for ½ a week for my 7th year as a camper.   So- imagine my delight when I got asked if I could come to camp this year as a leader. I had the opportunity to work with the first year girls at camp.  We had a cabin of 11 first year girls who were full of excitement and energy.   Some of my thoughts at first were: “I will never be able to keep up with these girls”  “I worry about __________ and if she will feel welcomed and find a friend”  “will they really sit down and do a devotional and journal time without complaining?”

On the first day when I arrived- they handed me a camp manual- in it they have a section “to Young Women Leaders” It starts with this: “At Young Women Camp, young women ages twelve to eighteen have the world of nature as their classroom.  They can experience the wonder of God’s creations and learn skills that will help them become more self-reliant and able to live comfortably in the outdoors.  Camp also provides a time for young women and their leaders to develop lasting friendships as they work and play together.  Through shared experiences they can draw closer to their Heavenly Father and strengthen each other in living the gospel”

As the week went on my thoughts changed.  I found strength in my co- leaders.  I didn’t have to keep up with these girls alone- we were able to keep up with them together.  When I felt like I was falling short they were there to step in and help.  I didn’t have to do it alone- I was part of a team.

The girls that I worried about on the first day?  They dove in.  They became examples to me of making new friendships, trying new things and pushing their own comfort boundaries to grow and learn new things.  They listened and participated as the YCL’s taught them new skills, and led them through activities.

The devotionals- the girls not only listened, but participated.  The spirit was felt.  I witnessed how one girl didn’t wait for devotional and journal scripture time to read her scriptures, but when we had down time in the cabin she would pull them out and read from them- while still paying attention to the conversations around her.  An example to all of us that scripture study doesn't have to only be during the “assigned times” or “quiet” times.  

There isn't time enough to tell all the stories that I observed that week.  I felt like a proud mother there- not only witnessing my own daughter and acts of service, but also witnessing the girls from our ward, and others as they served each other.  

From carrying a first year from the bathroom back to her cabin after her shower so her wet shoes wouldn't get all muddy.  The YCL who was amazing- making sure our girls all felt happy and part of the group- even though it was her first year at camp as well.

Just as I experienced the sweet spirit as a young woman attending girls camp growing up- I felt that same spirit as a leader.  I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to attend girls camp this year.  We truly have amazing girls who are learning and growing spiritually.   I've always contended that many times we are asked to do things- not only for the skills we bring to an opportunity, but for what we learn as we serve others.   I’m grateful for the lessons I was able to learn at girls camp.  For the reminder of priorities I need to move around in my life and for the strengthening of my own testimony.
Bear Testimony:
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Our Edmond 3rd ward girls! 

 

Beautiful evening fireside!

Vacation Posts...

I've been blogging about the trip we took and some other summer stuff- family stuff over on the family blog.  http://newtonaaaa.blogspot.com  go and check it out! :)

Field trip!

 

Today was the fifth grade field trip to a baseball game.... 

Last time I went we got sunburns, this time we shivered in the shade and wind- you never know what to count on with weather here in the spring.  

The one thing we could count on though was hot dogs, dipping dots, and fun! Alyssa has a great group of friends and they had a good time.  :)