I was {Heart} Attacked

I woke up early Monday morning to find my house and car had been Heart Attacked by 3 of my wonderful Laurels! A yummy treat of heart shaped chocolate cupcakes adorned my doormat too! What a wonderful way to wake up on a Monday!!!

I couldn't have had a better 5 years of my life - my young women are amazing and I have learned so much. I will miss them more than they know.

Well, It happened....

Last Saturday night we had returned home from Ann and John's Anniversary dinner to find a message on our machine from the stake executive secretary. We figured it was too late to call him back, being 11:30pm so we'd have to wait until Sunday. Sunday morning came all too early and we were awakened by the phone ringing. Brother Jagoda asked if we could meet President Papa in 45 minutes up at the church. We, more like ME, scrambled to get ready and called Ann to come over and watch the boys so we could go meet with the President. As we traveled our short distance of 2 minutes to church we contemplated on the call that Justin would receive, seminary, stake ym, etc....When we arrived it was only President Stewart, a counselor in the stake presidency we felt calmer than perhaps how we'd felt all morning. Then he spoke..."President Papa will be here shortly, please have a seat". Oh my, my heart began to pound and I had a feeling about what was about to transpire. Toward the end of our interview President Papa leaned in toward Justin and I and the next thing I remember hearing was BISHOP. I thought in my head (but it was as clear on my face as if I had said it out loud), what about Bishop Sannar? (who was currently our bishop). President Papa looked at me and said Bishop of the Gridley 3rd Ward.

I knew when I married the guy he would one day be called as Bishop, but I didn't realize just how soon that would be. If you take out about 1/3 of the time of sacrament for passing the sacrament with the Young Men from the 5 years we've been married, I have been able to sit by my sweetheart a total of 3 years and 4 months approximately.

The hardest thing about this call is that I am having to be released from my calling as the Young Women's President. Both Justin and I have been able to serve in the Young Men and Young Women's for the past 5 years and it's been amazing! I've learned and grown so much. This past week was the hardest because we could share this information with anyone but our family to invite them to our meetings today for his sustaining.

We were asked to share some thoughts, which I had thought might happen, but was never clear on what I should say. I am the youngest married (if not single as well) in our ward which has been hard for me to swallow.

Father in Heaven had faith in us that we have yet to see. We look forward to serving, growing in our faith and learning new talents while strengthening ones we already have.

What a crazy week this has been....and it's about to get a little more crazy.

Mom turns 20!

Plus 7! I feel like I'm still 20 sometimes. My 27th birthday was great! I woke up early Thursday morning to find a huge bag on the kitchen counter with some yummy treats and fun cards from my family. Then as we headed out to the car a huge sign on the front of our garage caught my eye. It was from my great friend Farrah. (Thanks! You are too kind!) We just had a lounge day at home and then was treated to some chinese take-out and then chocolate covered strawberries that the kids and Justin made. YUMMY!

On Saturday the family was getting together to celebrate John and Ann's 40th Wedding Anniversary so Justin and I took advantage of the time we'd have a babysitter and decided to celebrate my birthday as well. He took me shopping! What an amazing husband! I found several shirts, two dresses and a pair of puma shoes all for under $60!!! I love a great sale! Then we headed to dinner with all the siblings to the Cheesecake Factory. Delicious. It was a great time - especially without any children. We rarely get to hang out as adults and enjoy each others company.

Happy Anniversary to Ann and John! If we are but half as happy and dedicated to one another as you are after 40 years, I will count my blessings of a very successful marriage. We have such a wonderful example to follow. Thank you for being amazing parents and for all your love and support!

Whisperings of the Spirit

The Holy Ghost is always whispering to us. Through the Spirit we receive guidance that can be acquired in no other way. But are we listening? Communicating with the Holy Ghost is a process, not an event. Whisperings of the Spirit offers inspiration and guidance for seeking, recognizing, and acting on the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The author identifies some of the things that stand in the way of fully realizing our relationship with the Holy Ghost and provides specific suggestions to help us remember the whisperings of the Spirit.

-Excerpt from the book

At girls camp this summer I was able to attend the adult destiny class a couple of times. One of the lessons was on the book "Whisperings of the Spirit" and our teacher for the class shared excerpts from the book and encouraged us to read and participate in the assignments the book gave us.

One of the first assignments is to purchase a journal that is specifically for writing down the times you have recognized the Spirit's promptings. Each day you are encouraged to record your personal experiences.

Since girls camp this book has been on my mind and I have even purchased my journal. Receiving the book will have to wait until my birthday since it's the only thing I've asked from from my boys.

Almost everyday I have thought about starting my journal as I have recognized the spirit so often in my life. And today is the day. I thought I'd share my experience from this morning and as my first entry that will be entered into my journal.

- Max has a fascination with cars. If you were with us at the Tolman reunion this past month or have been at any of our family home evenings that occur at Ann and John's home, you would know that often times you will find Max playing in a car. He loves the all the gadgets. This morning we'd gotten up and eaten breakfast and the boys were playing in the bedroom with cars. Max came out with a set of play keys and told me he was going to work. He proceeded to the front door and tried to persuade me into letting him go to the car. I then redirected him to the backyard where his play car is. As I walked with him toward the backdoor I had a firm feeling that I needed check the car before he got into play. As we walked up to the car I examined it inside and out and then thought of flipping it over. As I flipped it over, the largest black widow I have ever seen in my life scurried into a little space below the wheel. If you know me, I am terrified of spiders and it takes all I have to kill them when I'm by myself at home. Justin tends to be my go-to man for that nasty stuff like spiders, snakes and bugs. So I had to find a stick and poke it out where I could kill it.

I was so grateful for the prompting of the spirit this morning. On any other given day I would have just sent Max outside to play and would have joined him later.

Everyday my testimony is strengthened by what seems to be the simplest things in life.

I am so thankful for the spirit that abides with my everyday. -

This video was posted a couple months ago, before girls camp. I was touched by it then and it has inspired me to follow in his amazing example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF01BQAcj8E