New Calling

So, I've had my new calling for nearly a month now.  It has been quite a ride so far.  I use my spanish every day, at least once.  It has been really busy--busier than I was expecting.  I used to get 5 phone calls a week.  Now it's averaging about 15 a day.  I never know what each phone call will bring.  I'm still trying to figure out how to manage my time so I can fit everything in.  It's like when you have a new baby and all of a sudden you have all this stuff to do for the baby, and  you still have to manage your household and other children, etc.  I must say, though, it really feels like a privilege to serve the sisters in our ward.  And regardless of what skills or qualifications I have or don't have, the purpose of the relief society president is to serve the sisters and their families.  It's been a neat experience so far.  I'm recording these experiences so I don't forget them.  I feel really intune with the Spirit and feel constantly prompted as what to do and/or say.  One Sunday I had a strong feeling to go see a sister, so I went Monday morning.  I didn't really know what, if anything was going on, but I just felt like I needed to be there and a specific phrase came into my mind to say to her.  And it was exactly what she needed.  To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming for both of us.  I don't take credit for this--I just feel it's the Spirit working and doing it's job through me.  I've seen a great deal of financial need in our ward and have often felt after talking with the sister or leaving her home, that I could/should just pay for whatever she needs.  But then I've thought if I can afford to buy groceries for her or pay to fix something, I should give that extra money as fast offerings and then have the bishop decide how the money should be used.  So, at our pres. meeting last night I felt strongly about sharing this.  This morning one of my counselors called me and told me she had been thinking about it all night and really felt and gained a stronger testimony of fast offerings.  Beforehand she had felt that since so many sisters have financial needs what can't the church help them all or why can't we have fundraisers.  I explained to her the bishop can't pull money out of a hat--the amount of money he has each month to help those with needs depends on how much we, as members, pay in fast offerings.  That same counselor and I visited someone yesterday who said she needed help buying food.  We went to assess her needs.  We both left with the same impression that she does need help but had been exaggerating her need a bit.  One of my counselors has only been a member since September, but wow--she is priceless.  She has helped so much so far.  She's Latina and although I can speak spanish, the other latina sisters really trust and confide in her, more so than they do with me just yet.  This is such a wonderful experience for her and really an honor for me to be a part of her experience--to see her growth and development.  She's definitely going to be a great leader and asset for the hispanic sisters of the ward.  So, although this calling demands a lot of time and can be emotionally taxing, I'm really enjoying it.          

Gavin's Birthday Cake

Gavin loved having us sing to him.  He also really enjoyed his birthday cake.  It wasn't too fancy--fudge marble cake with vanilla frosting.   

Gavin's 1st Birthday

Our family tradition for first birthdays is to go to McDonalds and buy the birthday boy his first happy meal.  Gavin enjoyed his nuggets and fries.  He also liked playing in the play area for the first time. 

Afterwards, we went home and opened presents.  Gavin has enjoyed playing with his new toys.  Thanks G&G Leonard for the ball-popper.  Thanks Nanna for the Raggedy Andy.  Thanks G&G Chichi for the $$$.  Thanks Derek, Alexis, Evan & Greta for the bath toys.  And of course, thanks Aunt Holly for the swim diapers.   

Cheyenne Trip/Holly's Graduation

Last weekend we made a trip up to Wyoming.  We went to say goodbye and send my folks off on their mission.  And my sister Holly graduated with her Masters in Counseling from the University of Wyoming.  Congratulations Holly!!!

 

12 Months = 1 Year

Gavin is 12 months old!  Yeah, we made it through the first year!

Weight:  19 lbs. 14 oz. (10th percentile)

Height:  29 inches (10th percentile)

 Gavin started walking right after turning 11 months.  He's gotten quite good.  He can squat down and get back up without holding on to anything.  When he's really excited or wanting to get something, he even tries to run. 

He loves to play outside and stands by the screen door, banging on it until I let him out. 

He has begun to drink whole milk and likes it. 

He chatters a lot, seeming to have conversations with himself or one of us. 

He wants to play ball with Adam and Matt a lot.

He has learned how to clap.  We often find him walking around the house clapping his hands. 

The next few pictures truly show how unhappy he was to be sitting in the chair and not walking around. 

Oh, CR#P

That was the unholy thought I had yesterday at church.  While getting ready for church, I was thinking about how nice it has been to not have callings requiring us to be so involved in our ward. 

I play the organ for sacrament mtg. and that's all, and it's great. 

Right before leaving to go to church, we get a phone call to come a few minutes early to talk with the bishop.  I thought it was probably a calling for Cub Scouts.  

Eeeeeeee--incorrect!  Relief Society President--what?? (insert unholy thought).

So much for not being involved in the ward and everyone's business. 

(Now, does the bishop really want a RS president that says CR#P?)

   

Easter

I'm finally getting around to posting about our Easter.  We went up to Leavenworth and to spend the weekend with Robert's parents.  The boys always have fun and look forward to going to G&G Chichi's house.  We took them to a fun center filled with bouncy things.  There was even a place for Gavin to play.  Grandma Chichi enjoyed doing that with him.  Afterwards we took them to an Easter Egg hunt.  There were 5000 eggs there.  It was divided by age.  Adam easily filled his baskets, but then to his chagrin, the eggs were all filled with Tootsie Rolls--his least favorite.  Easter morning the boys woke to not just one, but two baskets--ahh, the joys of being at Grandma's house.