Our day started early so we could get the family ready and on the road by 9 to head to the stake conference with Elder Rasband in Friendswood. It was a wonderful meeting! As we were greeted by Elder Rasband he asked if Aaron and I would take 15 minutes between the two of us. I have started keeping the talks I have prepared on my iPad so I am always ready. I was the second speaker which was nice for me because I got it over with and then I could enjoy the rest of the meeting without worrying about what I was going to say. I choose to speak once again on a Christ centered home but I change it up for each audience. It never is the same talk ever with the help of the spirit. Aaron talked on how as missionaries and we as individuals come to know the Atonement our desire to share it with others increases. Elder Rasband talked about building strength at home. He share how we should follow the first prompting we hear because it is the voice of the Spirit. He truly is a special witness of our Savior Jesus Christ. He loves our prophet Thomas S. Monson and shared with us his love and his unfailing ability to lead and guide our Savior’s church. Elder Oaks is coming to the Houston area in two weeks along with representatives from each of the general women's presidencies. Not sure what are involvement will be but it’s very exciting to have so many visitors from Salt Lake.
Our transfer week (Monday through Wednesday) was crazy busy as usual, but I have gotten the hang of flying by the seat of my pants or skirt in this case. We had a pretty large group going home this time with fourteen. They were a great group of missionaries that needed a lot of support, guidance and love. I hope that they will stay strong to the things they know to be true. They all have the potential in them to be strong and faithful in the gospel but either let distractions, pride or little a both get in their way. We had 12 new missionaries arrive in this group. They are excited and ready to do missionary work. We had one not make it from the MTC as she had to have her gall bladder removed, but we expect to see her in the next couple of weeks. We also have two coming from China that had their visas delayed.
Zac had his basketball banquet on Thursday night at the Sweetwater Country Club that is near our house. We attended with him but he sat with his teammates while we sate with other parents. I ended up leaving the banquet twice, once to pick up Jessie from a friend’s house (she went with her to their school’s math and science night) and again to bring Aaron home for a conference call with his new district leaders. Zac still has bball practice everyday through the rest of the school year as it's one of his classes. Since Bode’s basketball season ended last week he has been going bonkers with boredom. He tried to go out for the track team but at the middle school only has 25 kids are on the team so Bode is looking for other activities. Possibly playing soccer again? Jessie has loved playing with different friends as often as possible. She was finally able to have Sabrina over which made her over the moon happy.
For family pday we headed down to Angelton to the Crocodile Encounter. It was surprising cool. We saw alligators, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, kangaroo, pot-bellied pigs, lemurs, bongos and snakes. We were able to feed the tortoises and lemurs. Jessie and I found the lemurs adorable. Their fingers were so soft like you could really cuddle one if they would let you. We were also brave enough to pet a viper snake and a baby alligator. We learned a lot about each of the animals too. If you visit us we need to go. Two thumbs up for that experience. I spoke at the Houston South Stake women's conference tonight. I really tried to prepare well for it, seeking inspiration and praying for direction. The theme is “Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence” based on Elder Klebingat’s conference talk. For a talk on confidence, I was fighting off self-doubt and fear but I got a lot of positive comments from the sisters so it was a great experience. Aaron and the kids enjoyed the movie Eddie the Eagle while I was at the conference. It was a good day! Oh and a good week!