Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Alec - mission news

Alec began his mission on Monday, January 5th at 11:30 am.  He is assigned to the Kauri Sue Hamilton School Seminary and Institute program.  Mostly he helps the students get from school to/from the seminary (most of them are in wheelchairs and need assistance).  He is very proud to be a missionary and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his name badge.  He serves 5 days a week.  On Mondays and Wednesdays he serves from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays he serves from 11 am to 2:30 pm (the extra half hour is so he can attend a Missionary Prep class).  On Fridays he serves from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm (Friday is the school's early out day).  There are several other missionaries there and they all get to eat lunch together so it is a nice social opportunity for him.

This past Sunday Alec had his missionary "farewell".  He spoke in Sacrament meeting for about 5 minutes.  Alec bears his testimony every single Fast Sunday and has for years.  He talks and talks.  So, imagine our surprise (and laughter) when Alec got up on Sunday, stood at the pulpit for a minute and then asked Kevin to come help him.  Kevin had to whisper a few things in his ear before Alec finally took off and spoke on his own.  I have never seen Alec speechless before when he stood at the pulpit.

He had some good support - Todd and Melissa and their children, Darin and Jolyn and their 4 youngest, Vicki, McKayla and 5 of her roommates/friends (Darian Sharp, McKenzie Snyder, Anna Ward, Kami Hartley, and Taylor Gomez), Brakston and Whitney and Mason, and of course, our family.  We had breakfast at our home before Sacrament Meeting and flew all the missionary flags in the front yard.  Alec did love all the fuss and attention!

Friday, January 2, 2015

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions:

 1) Take better care of my health (i.e. haven't had a mammogram in 7 years though my mom had breast cancer - not smart, I know)  I haven't had a pap smear in 13 years.  It is time to take care of myself.  This will include losing weight.  I ended the year down 8 pounds from the previous year which is at least down but it's kind of a hollow victory since I was down another 8 pounds at one point during the year.

 2) Take time out of my "busy" life to relax and have fun - host a party or two.  I do love to socialize.

3) Do something I really enjoy out in nature at least once a month (i.e. hiking, snowshoeing) - I don't get out enough - again, I always feel too busy.

 4) Look for more opportunities to serve others and to be kind.  Relationships are  the most important thing.

 5) get back to blogging since it's my way of journaling our family events/life.

In addition, my birthday present to Jesus is to attend the temple 24 times in 2015, find a family name to take to the temple, and read every Sunday School and RS lesson in advance.