I had the opportunity to speak in our home ward on Sunday on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I tried to make it engaging by using some personal experiences. I shared a quote that the Zwick’s had mentioned that is a family motto from Sister Zwick’s family while they were with us. “Hard isn’t Bad. Hard is Hard.” I explained that life brings us trials that are difficult but with the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can learn and grow through hard trials and experience joy in them. I used a time from my youth and when my mom passed away to show how the gospel of Jesus Christ helped me through those times that were difficult for me. I finally perfected the pretzels this week for Sunday dinner. We all enjoyed them very much. When we come home I may oust my sister and my in-laws on roll duty. ;)
Izzy finally got a haircut after almost four months of not having one. I didn’t even realize it had been that long. I can tell she feels pretty now because she wags her tail more happily. Unfortunately, she is still overweight but instead of six pounds she is a whopping eight pounds over. YIKES! She needs more daily walks. Right now she only gets them on Sunday. New family goal is to walk the dog every day! Jessie and I had fun putting her valentines together. She was not too happy that all the Star War valentines I had purchased for the boys in one way or another said “Be my Valentine!” She was adamant that none of the boys in her class would or could be her valentine. Happy mom moment there.
This week will be full. Aaron has interviews with the missionaries and I will meet with them in companionship. As I headed to the first area for interviews I received tornado warnings over my phone. It was raining and blowing pretty hard which is not uncommon for Houston thunderstorms. Although when I could barely see anything I decided it was time to pull off the freeway to let the storm pass. After about 15 minutes it felt safe enough to continue. Well, the tornado warning was more real then I expected. We did have 6 small tornadoes touch down, all within our mission boundaries, but nothing that caused too much damage. The kids were on lock down for a couple hours during school as one tornado did come within a few miles of the house, but for the most part it just scattered garbage cans, blew over a few fences, and damaged a few roofs. Areas west of us had more damage because of the openness and the fact that it hit some mobile homes. Aaron was so busy in interviews that he didn’t even realize what was going on until he got home later that night. Zac had his last game tonight. It was a good game for the team. Close, still a loss but better playing for everyone.
While Aaron is doing interviews, I met with each companionship to review their daily planning. I asked each companionship to find a day in their planner that they feel like went well. As they share their day, I have them list principles that they did to help them have a successful day. I’m trying to help them replicate success and I also get a chance to see if they are planning or just scheduling their say. I am seeing a lot of good things from them and many know what it means to plan and help people progress. I try to help them see all the good they are doing, cheer them on to do more and not to give up trying. They can get discouraged very easily.
Now that the basketball season is over Zac is on a hunt for a job. He loves the independence of driving. It definitely helps his social life with friends. Bode tells us he’ll be playing on the school soccer team so we’re hoping that gets him busy. He does meet friends at the mall on occasion to “window shop”. His words not mine. I got to attend moms and muffins with Jessie Friday morning. She was sharing with me who has a crush on who with her face full of animation. I just stared at her thinking “You are not a 4th grader! You are my baby!” I’m not ready for her to grow up. Actually I’m not ready for any of my kids to grow up. Bode has officially passed me up in height. What?!?! Life is moving along right before my eyes.