We began Sunday with the Sacrament meeting at the Mission President’s Seminar with of two presidents and their wives speaking. They each spoke of experiences from their mission with their missionaries on how the Sabbath is truly a blessing and way to strengthen our testimony in the Savior’s atonement. After Sacrament meeting was over the Southwest presidency and their wives shared their testimonies. I loved each of their unique personal conviction of their love of our Savior and His Gospel. They truly were uplifting to the spirit. Sister Clayton and then Elder Clayton finished off with his final counsel for us. Sister Clayton is just as amazing as her husband. She really inspired me. She helped me with being more confident and reminded me that even when I have those days when I don’t know what I am supposed to be doing, can’t find balance between the mission, family and life in general and am so exhausted I can’t see straight that Heavenly Father is aware of me and has the answers I need. Her way of expressing this (that we all know but forget easily) truly spoke to my spirit. I so appreciated her love. Aaron and I then drove the three and half hours home. It was great to be back with the kids minus Allie. Miss that girl too. Wish I could have seen her in real life. ;) We had a nice simple dinner together.
After our meeting with the AP’s I had an impromptu comp study with the AP’s companions that were doing their studies while waiting. I haven’t done a comp study with the elders for obvious reasons but one of our AP’s pointed out that I have done comp studies with the sisters at the meetinghouses so I could do that for the Elders. So I just might do comp studies with the elders too. ;) We had a great FHE with the kids tonight on having a 35,000 view perspective, inspired by Elder Clayton. It spurred some good conversation.
I had a comp study session with some sisters prior to their district meeting and then attended the district meeting. In districts that have all Spanish speaking they are to speak Spanish the whole time to help with their immersion in the language. I tried really hard to keep up with them in Spanish but then when it was my turn to speak….well no bueno! Half way through I finally broke down and asked them if we could continue in English. Shame on me, I need to repent and study more in Spanish. ;) I ended up taking the sisters and their bikes that I study with back to their apartment so they could make it to a teaching appointment on time. After picking up Jessie from school, I headed over to Bode’s first official football game. They actually scored two touchdowns so one more time than all of last year. The other team averaged about 250 pounds on the offensive line as 8th graders. They were so slow but it didn’t help our team much, we still lost. ;)
I helped Allie avert a microwave disaster as she was defrosting hamburger for tacos for dinner. They actually turned out good even though she is not fond of meat generally.
We had a Zone Leader training on Wednesday to help them really understand how to hold their zones accountable and get the best efforts from those they have stewardship for. We have found that we need to follow up to see if they’ve understood and following up and helping their companionship's. It’s great to hear when take on their leadership roles like pulling their zone together on a conference call or get them together for a brief meeting to fire them up and help them do what they’re called to do. We love to see their growth. Jessie had gymnastics again. She loves that she rotates between the different apparatus in the gym. She loves the high bar and the balance beam. Afterwards she had Activity Days that she loves and asks me often why it isn’t every week. Once home she was practicing her balance beam skills along the side of the pool. Unfortunately she lost her balance I fell into the pool clothes and all. We all had a good laugh as she came out of the water. The boys the headed to Young Men’s tonight. It makes me happy when they go. They aren’t always up for it unfortunately. Allie, her roomies and friends from Weber got together at the Utah State Fair. They had a good time. Allie avoided the carnival rides this year. I guess last year she got pretty sick going on the rides with Megan and Curtis. ;)
I did another sister comp study/planning today. We had a great comp study but the sisters wanted to talk about how they could be more effective in finding. We talked about different ways to work with the members, looking for where people gather to OYM, going to areas that are rarely worked because of distance/miles/economic status and utilizing the English class even though they don’t teach it but using it as a way to speak to more people. I spent more time then I usually do for a comp study but hoping it will bless them in their finding efforts. Bode got his invisaligns fitted on Thursday. I didn’t realize that the orthodontist places markers on his teeth that assist in the invisaligners to move the teeth. The markers are raised and bothersome if you don’t keep the invisaligners in so Bode never wants to take them out. ;) He changes them every two weeks. Surprisingly, I think he is in just as much pain as he would be with traditional braces and when Bode is in pain he is a GRUMPY boy!! VERY GRUMPY! Later Aaron and I went to the open house at Colony Meadows Elements to meet Jessie’s teachers. Let’s just say Aaron was taken back by the demographics. We were the only Caucasian parents in attendance. It’s crazy the diversity there is here in Sugar Land.
Bode went on a camp out with the scouts to Quintana Beach Friday night. He wasn’t too excited about it because his mouth still hurt and didn’t want to eat due to taking the invisalign in and out. I assumed he had a pretty good time. He came home and slept for hours he was so tired. I rode Saturday morning 25 maybe 26 miles. It is nice to ride in warm weather but I have to admit I long for a crisp fall morning ride. Maybe one day. ;) I finally took my bike in for a desperately needed tune-up. I am hoping to see a difference in my speed from it. Here’s to wishful thinking. All is well in the great state of Texas. ;)