Fall Happenings

The last month has felt like one big whirlwind of work, church, family, and many different emotions!  I have been blessed to work with 22 sweet children this year in my fourth grade classroom.  I have to say that they have a different "personality" to the group, but we are learning to make compromises and adjustments so we all can be happy. : )  I have been amazed at their ability to love and welcome our autistic classmate.  As I spend each day in their presence, I learn more of Christ's admonition to become as a little child.  They have an amazing ability to love unconditionally.

I have been working in the temple as an Ordinance Worker on Thursday evenings and then twice a month on Saturday morning playing the organ.  This work in the temple keeps me busy.  There are days when I wonder if I can keep it up, but then I think back to the blessing President Hoopes gave me when setting me apart as an Ordinance Worker.  He told me I would have to make sacrifices in order to work at the temple, but the blessings that would come from being in the temple would greatly outweigh the sacrifice.  I feel so blessed to have an evening where nothing matters other than to love and serve others in the temple.  I have been reminded time and time again that my Heavenly Father knows and loves me.

Two weeks ago, I went to the temple and was feeling completely overwhelmed and frustrated with happenings at work.  I had tried to make it to the temple to participate in Initiatories all week, but I kept getting stuck at work until 6:30 or 7:00 each night.  I walked into the temple seriously wondering how I was going to make it through a six hour shift.  As I grabbed my schedule for the night, I found myself in tears thanking my Heavenly Father for his awareness of me.  I had been scheduled to participate as an Iniatory Patron for 45 minutes during my time at the temple, and I was scheduled to finish my rotation around 8:00 instead of 10:00.  I was then reminded several times during my shift that my Heavenly Father and Savior know how I am feeling, and they are doing their best to help me through.  I am so grateful for wonderful people who are listening to the whisperings of the spirit and are willing to follow through with those promptings in order to bless my life.

On Friday, Chelsea got a big, white envelope in the mail calling her to serve in the Gilbert, Arizona Mission.  I am so excited for her, and I am excited for those people of Arizona who will get to meet an amazing young lady ready to share the Gospel with the world.  She has been a great example to all of us as she is ready and willing to serve the Lord.   As she read her call to our family, I felt such a strong assurance that Gilbert, Arizona is where the Lord wants her.  She will be great!

So life is busy, but this life is great and I wouldn't have it any other way!  I am blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends.  And I have a knowledge that my Savior and Heavenly Father love me, and they are aware of my every need and care.  I love this Gospel and the knowledge and strength I receive from being a part of it!