Blessings of the Sabbath--

I woke up early this morning, around seven o'clock. I thought it would be nice to start the New Year and go to visit my old ward, Cascade II. Their meetings start at 9:00 am. My ward sacrament meeting is at 1:00 p.m. which I attended too.

I managed to get up, shower and be ready to leave at 8:45. We had some snow on the driveway with a slight snow fall that I needed to turn on the windshield wipers on the way there. I felt a warm and welcoming spirit when I walked in. Someone motioned to me to sit on the back row as the announcements were made so I found my way and sat down. My old home teacher, Bro. Dean Barley gave the opening prayer. I immediately felt at home. It was good to be among so many good people and I knew most of them. It had been about six months since I was last there.

There were a lot of people going up to bear their testimony, and quite a number of children. I counted 8. One of the brethren in the bishopric conducted and he bore his testimony, it was Ryan Beckstead. Bp Wood, and Bro Fehlberg were on the stand. It was great to see them and shook their hands afterward. I bore my testimony and waited until almost the end of the meeting. It was good to see everyone as many filed by and said hello or touched my arm as they walked by to go to Sunday school. I didn't stay but had a chance to greet Bp Wood in the foyer, and stopped to say hello to Doug Hacking. He gave me a big hug and greeted me with a smile. He normally was very reserved and would give a nod and not say much, but we talked for a few minutes. Both Tracie and Hank/Lori had told me they had seen him a while back and he mentioned to them to be sure to say "hello" to their mother.

Going into the world to preach the gospel--

I noticed in the foyer glass case that there were quite a few missionaries in the field representing the ward. Three couples are serving-- June & Gordon Smith in the Philippines who just left last June, Liz & Phil Freestone, as mission president in Puebla, Mexico coming home in July, and the Eastley's are serving in Russia until August this year with nine elders serving as well. I guess I had overlooked the mission plaques in the foyer since I had not been aware the Eastley's were gone since Feb 07. It amazes me how time flies by so quickly.

I went away from there feeling how I should become more familiar with "Preach my Gospel" for some reason and study my scriptures more intensely and diligently. I can do that!!

There are not too many more Sundays left to attend my current ward before Aaron, Candice and family move to American Fork so decided to bear my testimony one more time today. Aaron said it didn't matter if I already bore it once and I kind of wanted to say goodbye. So I did. I waited until the time was almost over so others could have plenty of time to say their testimonies. We had a good meeting. I have noticed the sacrament time is very reverent and I can feel the Spirit to ponder and listen while I pray. Our ward has a spiritual tone that emanates while the sacrament is passed. The deacons, teachers and priests all participated.

Last week there were not enough priests to bless the sacrament. Aaron was called on with the other two brethren in the Elder's Quorum presidency who happened to be on the stand to talk. They just moved over to the bench at the sacrament table before the meeting began. Parker noticed his Daddy up there and was smiling and motioning to him and spoke Adamic or something to himself and smiled a big grin. Parker has learned to fold his arms for prayers now and bows his head at the same time. He is such a GOOD boy!

It has been a good day and I even had a few minutes to lie down to rest before our sacrament meeting. I went out to visit with Tana & Nathan, then Tara and Russ at their house. It made the day longer for me, but I didn't mind since I don't get to see the girls that much without being rushed during the week for something.

It makes this mother's heart feel good, when I sees my children walk in truth and choose attend their Sunday meetings with their families. I am the luckiest Mom I know who can say that and is true. Some of my friends struggle with attending their meetings regularly. There can be any number of excuses, but I am like the energizer bunny, I just keep going and going and going! No if, and's or buts, praying always and receiving answers to my prayers.

I know where I need to be and get my spiritual batteries recharged every time I go. I get so much out of my meetings and I am so thankful for all the great examples all around me of the stalwarts of the ward. They truly are the salt of the earth kinds of people.

I am tired and ready to go to bed. I will have to proof read this and make any corrections or additions. Later. Hasta Manana!!