Awesome Missionary Experience

Travis got a phone call from Elder Reynolds this afternoon to go to an appointment with them this evening.  Travis was excited to get to go again and especially with Elder Reynolds.  Travis met up with them after their dinner appointment.  They watched the movie of Joseph Smiths first vision and then started talking.  The boy they were teaching wants to get baptized.  He will probably get baptized in May.  Travis shared his testimony on faith and they talked about the other principles and ordinances of the gospel.  Travis said he kept looking down at his chest because it was warm.  He said he doesn't ever remember feeling the Spirit so strongly.  It was an amazing experience and I'm so thankful for Elder Reynolds and for the chance that Travis has to go on splits and appointments with them.  It has been a great learning experience for Travis and is helping prepare him for when he goes on his own mission.  He was so excited to be able to be there for the appointment with the boy committing to being baptized.  Travis thinks the parents are close too.

Driving to Town

Travis and I had our date today.  I kinda took over in the planning of it because he needs some drive time, but doesn't really love to drive.  So, we went for a drive.  I tried to get him on the freeway, but he didn't want to go there.  We ended up at Wal-Mart and I got a couple food items we needed and he got a thing for his car that plugs his IPod into his tape deck so he can listen to his IPod in the car.  I guess that kinda dates the car knowing that it has a tape deck huh!?  We drove back to Elk Ridge and watched the 2nd half of Trevin's soccer game from the car because even though it is April 29th, it is stinkin' cold outside and we got snow again today!  We had a nice visit about school, MORP, driving, friends and girls of course.  It was fun!

In The Wood Shop

I had such a fun day today!  I went down to Leamington  this morning to work in the shop with my dad.  I found these awesome things for Mother's Day, and since Sean has sold a lot of his tools from when he did cabinets, he didn't have everything to help me with my project.  So, my Dad said he would help me.  I can't show the finished project here, because then it would ruin the surprise.  These were my jobs:  cut the rails with the chop saw, sand the rails, fill nail holes with wood putty, paint, sand some more to make it look distressed, help with measurements and putting together.  They turned out just how I imagined.  I even made one for myself.  Thanks for the help dad!

DQ

I picked Tyrel up from school today for our date.  He wanted to go to Dairy Queen because they are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the BLIZZARD and had buy one Blizzard, get the 2nd one for 25cents.  So, it didn't work out so well because the sale ended on Sunday.  Oh well, he was buying and he was ok with paying full price.  He got a Butterfinger Blizzard and I got a Reeces Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard.  We sat in the car and chatted while we ate our most delicious ice cream.

After that we ran to the dollar store because he needed new headphones for his music.  He found some in Steelers colors for $1.  We shall see how long they last.

Thanks Tyrel for the fun date!

Our newest driver is............

Trevin.  Today when Trevin got home from school, he did his homework and then we had our April date.  He wanted to practice driving the golf cart because, after all, he will be able to do fast offerings in another year.  He didn't dare back it out of the driveway, but he did pretty good going in the forward direction.  We took a little drive through the neighborhood and over to the neighborhood next to the Stake Center and then came back home.  We saw some chickens in the field that we stopped and took a picture of.  He can even do two things at once.  He wanted me to quiz him on his spelling words while we drove, so he can drive and spell at the same time.  Quite talented isn't he?!

Tonight for family night we went and took some pictures of the boys for the Mother's Day presents I'm working on.  They turned out really good I think.  We had quite a little hike to get there though. I wanted to take them by the railroad tracks because that seems to be "the thing" on all the photography blogs I stalk.  Sean said he knew where this great old railroad bridge was, so we went there.  Problem was, it was about 1/2 mile from any roads we could drive on.  The boys were good sports though and they even liked their pictures and want to go back there for our family photo shoot in October.  Amber, feel like taking a hike?

Stake Conference

We had another great Stake Conference this morning.  I even remembered to bring a pen and paper to take notes this time so I didn't have to remember it all.  I'm getting old you know.

President Montague
Quoted 3 different scriptures having to do with us being steadfast and immovable abounding in good works.  How well are we anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ?  He talked about finding a good fishing hold and if your anchor was too light or if you didn't have an anchor, or if the rope to your anchor broke, then when the winds blow, you will drift away from the good spot.  Is our testimony anchored in sand or on a firm foundation?  He also reminded to to read, listen to, and study the conference talks that we heard a couple of weeks ago at General Conference over and over again that our testimonies will be strengthened.

Elder Reynolds
He is so awesome!  He had dinner at our house when Travis went on splits with the missionaries, so as soon as he started speaking all three of my boys sat right up and paid attention.  He talked about his conversion and we knew he was talking about himself because he had mentioned a couple of things when he was over for dinner.  He speaks with such conviction and has such a strong spirit about him, I am just amazed at him.  My favorite part of his talk was when he said, "The Lord knows every single one of His children, whether or not that child knows Him.".  He spoke to the youth saying, "If you do not serve a mission, you will regret it every single day of your life."  My boys love him!  His talk was the one they kept talking about all afternoon.

Temple President - I can't remember his name
He talked about relationships saying, "Make your spouse happy, not better.  If they are happy, they will become better."  He also talked about ways to bring the temples into our homes.  Great talk.

President Rosenbaum
"When we don't serve when we have the opportunity, it is a sin of omission."  I had never thought about it that way.  I need to take those opportunities to serve others more often.

President Trevort
"Be married in the temple.  Stand firm in that goal, it can make all the difference in this life and in the life to come."  He told a great story along with that quote.

It was a great stake conference!

Sunday evening we went down to Todd and Haylee's for cake and ice cream for Kaiden's birthday.  I can't believe he is already 7.  That means he gets baptized in another year.  He is growing up!  Happy birthday Kaiden!

Mickey D's

So, we went to a wedding reception for Sean's cousin Nathan tonight.  It was fun to visit with family and see some we haven't seen in a while.  So, funny story (really, this won't be so funny unless you were there) but we go to the drive in at McDonalds after the reception to get a drink.  We pull up to the drive thru and this is the conversation:

FEMALE voice:  Welcome to McDonalds, would you like to try our new Frappe?
Sean:  No thanks, I'm just an old fashioned guy, I want a Coke.
very deep MALE voice:  Will that be all?
Sean:  What the heck happened to your voice?
no response
Tyrel and I are busting up laughing
Sean: We actually need 2 Cokes and a small vanilla ice cream

We then pull around to the window and Sean says to the guy there
Sean:  That was a girls voice at the beginning right?
Male employee:  It was an auto greeter
Sean:  Oh, Good!

I still can't contain my laugher.  It was soooo funny!  I had tears coming out of my eyes.  You would think they wouldn't need an auto greeter to say that one simple line. Can't the drive thru attendant say that extra sentence?  The difference in the two voices was just hilarious and Sean's reaction was priceless.