27 March 2013

Before you talk, THINK  Is it--
T rue,
H onest,
I mportant,
N ecessary, and
K ind.
If not, dont say it!

    When we are more concerned about our own attitude and behavior than those of others, improvements in relationships can begin to take place.  We cannot force others to change, to be good, or to be more responsible; they have free will to act the way they want to. The real issue is how we react to them.

26 Molly (Carol's) 1994
29 Dakota (Brytten's) 1996

Until this week, I had forgotten that Mom would sometimes put BIG NEWS of the week, or month, or whatever.  But this week, we DO  have BIG NEWS!! And here is the direct quote from the announcement....
"It is my great pleasure to announce the selection of Catie Smith of Minico High School as the 2012-2013 District Teacher of the Year!" Congrats!  Now everyone there knows what we already knew!



Updates from the missionaries...

Cameron has been teaching more.  He says , "There are 42 teaching points that we teach in the lessons and as I have been memorizing them,  it makes teaching a lot easier and better."   Attached is a picture of Cameron and his companion.

Easton-- first I have to straighten out my stupidity from last week.  Easton talked about teaching students from U of W which I stupidly said was University of Washington, which of course is wrong. It is the University of Windsor (in Canada) not the University of Washington (in Washington).  :). Easton writes. "On Saturday I felt more led by the Spirit than I have ever in my life. We were in the right place at the right time on numerous occasions and I felt like an instrument in the hands of God. It was sweet to see God's work move forward as I placed myself in His hands. I love being a missionary!" good picture of him below!

Robbie talked about having great tracking success this week while on exchanges.  He added a story about a member who is helping teach an investigator.  The member was a great addition to the lesson.  Keep this in mind, folks!  Help those missionaries out! Volunteer to help while they are teaching investigators!

Liam wrote a really powerful letter this week.  A lot of miracles and tender mercies!  He was able to perform a baptism this week--4 people--.  He says, "All 4 of these people are super special to me. They have amazing stories and their conversions were miracles as well. I was blessed to perform all 4 baptisms....It was such a special day. I look at these people as my brothers and sisters, family, dear loved ones. They will always have a special place in my heart."

Catie sent news of Keira's gymnastic prowess, see this article...

Cara writes about their Pinewood Derby.  it was Ethan's first pinewood derby and Liam's last. Ethan  took first place overall, and Liam took second! What a great night!  

Cara also writes, "Liam has taken it upon himself to do secret things in the name of leprechauns.  He woke up early yesterday and dumped like a whole bottle of green food coloring in a gallon of milk, so the kids had bright green milk all day.  Nice.  It looked like they smeared green lipstick all over their mouths when breakfast was over.  I was worried it wouldn't come off and they'd all show up at church with green faces, but luckily it came off without too much trouble.   

He also moved around furniture and a few other things and then claimed it was leprechauns.  Haha!  At one point, he sat me down and expressed his disappointment in my mothering skills...he felt like I was supposed to be doing all those "festive" things and since I wasn't, he had jumped in for the sake of the children.  Nice.  I told him that St. Patrick's day really wasn't my thing.  I usually do green pancakes or something like that,but that is it.  I think I'll just put him officially in charge of that holiday from now on. 

Now, after a day of green milk in their cereal, green mac-and-cheese for lunch, green eggs and green french toast (plus more green milk) for dinner, I'm wondering if they are going to be seeing green when they use the restroom.  I wouldn't be surprised. 

(My suspicions have been confirmed...this morning has brought a little excitement in the lavatory.) " (end story)

My tech training went well.  I was the only girl in the class, but I also wasnt the slowest to pick things up.  I learned a lot.  When I returned to work yesterday, I was able to fix a longarm quilting machine that the other tech hadnt been able to fix.  YAY!  I was also able to see Monta, Karen, Dave, and three of my kids, Natalie, Jenna and Molly.  It was a great trip.  A blizzard in Denver delayed my flight. I spent 7 hours in the airport waiting to hear, and finally they cancelled my flight going home. I got a flight the next day though.

I hope everyone has a good week.  Remember to work hard, study hard and pray hard!

Carol