New Horizons

Today is the first day of the rest of my life......And I am interested to find out what it is like to live in Maryland without being Relief Society President. That is right, I am done.....finished.....out-of-there! Unfortunately there are so many mixed feelings. I will miss my ladies, and the closeness with the sisters, but I won't miss the administration part of it and all the time and work that was involved. I feel loved and have a feeling of peace, and hopefully that will be enough to sustain me for the time being.

I was called about 4 weeks after arriving in Maryland. Hardly knew anyone. Was not adjusted whatsoever. It really threw me into the middle of things in a not so comfortable way. Now I know (more than I would like to) about everyone in the ward. Rarely get lost while driving and can direct you to almost any sister's home within the ward. I have grown leaps and bounds in terms of my own personal testimony and my faith in Jesus Christ as well as in my leadership skills and how to deal with people.

If I had to name just one thing I have learned during the last 2 years 9 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours 5 minutes and 38 seconds, but whose counting! (I am just kidding it was somewhere around 2 years 9 months, but the rest, who knows!) I would say that I have learned to love and see people through my Heavenly Father's eyes. I am convinced that all people need/want is to be loved.

I need to mention/thank the people that I would have never made it through without.............

Alan - My partner in crime, my secretary, my live-in-nanny, my therapist, my fall back person, my lover and my friend. I would have been done within 24 hours without his love and support. It couldn't have been easy for him to always be understanding when I had to go visit someone with a moments notice, or to watch the kids for the 4th night in a row, or to listen to me go on and on about my frustrations, or to know that something was eating at me that I couldn't talk to him about. He just patiently took it all. Thanks Alan, I love you!

President Dennis Windley (former Bishop of the Laurel Ward) - Someone once said, "You were trained by the best!" I truly believe that. It was amazing, how in such a small amount of time, we worked so incredibly well together. Without his support and encouragement I would not have done half of what I was able to do. Thanks Friend, for being wonderful and for continuing to be a huge supporter! P.S. Sorry about all of the Maryland Games you missed on my behalf!

Connie Nielsen (Stake Relief Society President and former counselor) - Always willing to be there as a support and a listening ear. I could always call and know that I was getting sound advice from someone who thinks a lot like me! Plus, it's always easy to feel loved by someone when you're their favorite!!

Gwyn, Michelle (new Laurel Ward RS President), Lori, Karen, Cindy, Lynette, Vanessa, Kelly, Debbie (my counselors/secretaries) - Looking at this list you have to question my leadership abilities........Or wonder how hard I worked people and why I had so many in such a short period of time. They were all wonderful to work with and taught me many thing and helped me live my dreams for the Laurel Ward Relief Society. Thank you ladies, you are awesome!

Becca Tippets - Who is always willing to let me hide out at her place so no one can find me! You are the best!

Hannah, Peter, and Joseph - These are the people who probably sacrificed the most and tried to be as patient as they could be. They were always proud to tell people, "My Mommy is the Relief Society President!" as though that were something to work toward. Today when they released me, my sweet little girl looked at me with tears running down her face and said, "but I want you to be the Relief Society President still!" All I could do was kiss her and nod my head. Then after a moment of us crying together. She looked at me and said, "Does that mean you won't have to go to anymore meetings?" I laughed and shook my head yes and all of a sudden her tears dried up and she just grinned, excited as could be. For most of the things that I have done as Relief Society President during the daytime, one or more of them have been by my side, bringing meals, giving rides, PPI's with my board, visiting sisters, the many phone calls, serving food, presidency meetings, washing eggs, setting up for some event, and the list goes on. I find it amazing how well my children know their way around the church building and know where all the light switches are, or where the library or the clerks office is (what 3 year old knows what a clerks office is??) I love my babies and am glad that I will be just a mom for a little while!

All of my family everywhere! For their love, support and prayers.....I couldn't ask for more. Thanks, I love you!

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.....

I have never quite understood this song by the Carpenters. I can see the Monday part, especially getting out of bed, but the rain......how can the rain get you down? It washes everything away and makes things bright, beautiful and happy! I Love the rain, it has always made me happy. One thing that I would love to do in my early teens is go out into my parents shed wrapped in a warm blanket with a flashlight and a book. I would spend a couple hours out there listening and enjoying myself.

Today we had an afternoon thunder storm, we were sitting as a family watching the sheets of rain come down and listening to the thunder clap. I couldn't resist the urge to go run out into the rain to wash everything away and to put a smile on my face as well as 4 others. At first my children and husband thought I was crazy when I ran out and began dancing, but for my three kids curiosity got the best of them. They all ended up joining me in the end, although Peter was very timide about the whole thing. I have to say though the rain worked it's charm, everyone was happy for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening.