Blast From The Past.

Melanie Klann, Ann Wilkin's, Paige Walker, Aimee Klann, Annette Bowen, Tali Thompson, Cherelyn Linde, Linda Pope, Julie and Jenni Wirrick, Amy McOmber, Me, Tiffany Linde

Me, Rachel and Paige

Me, Leslie Humphrey with daughter Hannah, Janea in the back with Brynlee, Rachel Robey, Paige Walker Morrill, Tali Thompson Laundry.

July 14th, 2009
YW afternoon mini-reunion.
Not pictured: Ann Braithwaite (leader) Kathy Dixon, Cami, Alex, Karen Snow, Traci Campbell, Sarah Rose, Jodi Wirrick, Audra and Nikki Ross, Jenny Hammon, Rochelle Thompson.

Leslie, Melanie, Amy and Cindy Gustin, were a few years younger. Amy Arenson was in the neighboring ward, and Linda and Annette were leaders.

Rachel, Melanie and I were the only one with out kids.
I was the only one never married.
Tiffany only single mom.
Ann=4 kids.
Paige=2 kids
Aimee=3 kids
Tali=4 kids
Cherelyn=3 kids
Julie=5 kids
Jenni=4 kids
Amy=4 kids
Tiffany=1
Divorced=Tiffany and Rachel

Those not pictured
Kathy =3 kids
Cami=4 kids
Alex=1 kid
Karen=0
Tracy= 3 I think
Sarah=5 kids
Jodi= 4 kids
Audra=0
Nikki=4 kids
Jenny=1
Rochelle=4 kids
Divorced=Kathy, Audra
Total inactive= 5
Returned Missionaries=5

Maybe Not

A few maybe not's have happened recently. They are:

1. I may not be teaching the juniors and seniors in seminary.
2. Being a zoo keeper is not looking good. The competition is fierce and I don't have any degrees in biology.
3. While I had a fun time at the mid-singles conference, doesn't look like any dates will come of it. I can look around at the men I know and say "nope, not him. Won't be marring him." to at least 10 of them.

But I'm not panicked. I will just keep on keeping on and see what comes about. I did however make some good girl friends, and got a lot of compliments on my hair, how cute I am and 2 compliments from men on what a good person I am and that they feel the spirit around me. Makes me want to be better!

Early Morning's Here I Come!

Yesterday I was extended the calling of early morning seminary teacher. Luckily I only teach 2 days a week, as I'm a team teacher with Becky Thompson. 2 Becky's, 2 days' each. The kids have Wed morning's off. Were studying The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I'll be teaching juniors and seniors, which I'm thankful for as they have more to say.

I've already created a shelf of my BOM books to help me, but I can only use church approved curriculum: the teachers seminary guide, the institute manuel and the Ensign. I'll start reading and rereading some of those books. It's been near a year since I have finished the BOM for the umpteenth time. I was so looking forward to studing the Old Testament in Sunday School, but I'll need all week to prepare lessons. I can't image the time it takes to prepare for 5 days!

My oldest sister Beth has taught years of seminary and my brother Mark has also taught. I'm learning that friends Kathy and Marci have taught for 3 years and I already knew that Rebecca and Rohan taught as well.

It will be interesting to see how my schedule creates itself. These are the things I have to do:

• Seminary
• Work 2:30 to 9:00 pm
• Run my dog walking business
• Volunteer at the zoo or the humane society. I'm not so sure I can do both.

I'm glad I'll be getting released from my other callings of Stake SA secretary and ward SA rep.
I'm not sure how they will get along with out me. I'm really the back bone of these programs, but am also a little burned out. I know I'm also going to have to let go of my internet time. Facebook and blog reading has been taking up a lot of my life.

I really want to do a good job and get these kids in the scriptures the way that Brother Thompson (not Becky Thompson's husband) did. I also have ideas for bullitin boards that are not being used.

But most important I've got to in a better sleep schedule. I've been going to bed past 1 am lately, that won't work with everything else. Here's to teenagers, early mornings and the scriptures!

"In the history of the Church there is no better illustration of the prophetic preparation of this people than the beginnings of the seminary and institute program. These programs were started when they were nice but were not critically needed. They were granted a season to flourish and to grow into a bulwark for the Church. They now become a godsend for the salvation of modern Israel in a most challenging hour. We are now encircled. Our youth are in desperate jeopardy. These are the last days, foreseen by prophets in ancient times”

-Boyd K. Packer, "Teach the Scriptures", address to CES religious educators, Oct. 14, 1977

Receiving Me, Receiving You.

I bought this talk CD by a single Latter-day Saint. The talk is called For Single Saints. It's well done with stories and advice from prophets. She has this list of 10 things that Spencer W. Kimball did to receive the revelation on all worthy men receiving the priesthood. One lessen is to pray for someone who will receive you. A sister prayed that prayer and was told that 2 years previous there was someone who wanted her, but who she didn't want. She knew who it was. He was boring! She was not happy about it, but she followed the spirit and called this man and now they are married. Now she thinks he's the smartest guy. Everyone else who knows him still thinks he's boring.

Here's my dilemma: I have plenty of men that would receive me, but I don't want them! They are either too smart and weird or lack social skills, or they are too dumb. Really, they are. I know you have to be physically attracted to them. So what do I do? Pray that I can be attracted to them? Settle? I need a connection! Advice and thoughts are welcome.

I want to be a ZOO KEEPER!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this.

On July 4th mom, Ruth and I went to the Seattle Zoo called Woodland Park. It cost us $16 dollars to get it! Ruth reminded mom that no, it wasn't 3 tickets for adults, but 2 and 1 senior citizen. The counter guy said: "well actually you have to be 65!" We laughed and mom told him that she was 75! Mom's a young looking chick.

The reason we went was to see the new penguin exhibit. It has been closed for a few years. The exhibit was great. They did an amazing job on it and I got to talk to the keeper and watch him scratch one 'single' penguin. Penguins mate for life and there is always a few single ones- just like in society. If a single penguin gets to close to a couple penguin one of them gets mad and shews them off. Human's could take a lesson from them possibly save those marriages that are torn apart by cheating.



But the really great news is that I got to hand feed giraffe's. It cost 5 bucks and mom flipped for it. It was so worth it. This giraffe got right in my face and breathed on me. It was smelly! Although the zoo keeper kept warning us to not touch them as he didn't know what could happen, I did touch him. Matt (zoo keeper) said that one time a giraffe in turning his long neck and head knocked into a zoo visitor. That doesn't have anything to do with petting them, but we got the idea. I'm sure it's just a liability thing. I got lots of close up pictures of Mr. Giraffe. But anyway, here's the exciting part...



I talked for Matt about how he became a keeper and if he majored in zoology. No he did not, but something close enough, although I don't remember what. Turns out all you have to do is volunteer for 1 to 2 years, if they like you they will hire you to be an associate, then after 2 years they would hire you as a zoo keeper! Of course you'd have to prove that you really want it, that your good and have them like you. You also have to be willing to move around with in the USA. Matt has worked at 4 different zoo's around the country and has worked with different animals.

I walked away so ecstatic. The 5 dollars was so worth it and I felt like my life plan was taking shape. I for sure have decided to leave care giving and was considering becoming a vet assistant, which paid some what more than I am making. I knew I'd work with animals, I just didn't know when or how it would happen. I already scheduled myself to go to a training to volunteer at the Humane Society just a mile from my home, to help me get more experience. Then this zoo possibility pops up and feels so right. Another woman suggested I get on line and told me who the volunteer head person was. I did just that and found out that the last volunteer mtg till Feb on next year is July 25th! Is that perfect timing or what. I had been feeling this drive to go to the zoo and soon and now I know why. Although the 25th is the Mid-Single adult conference, I will be at this meeting that could change my life. I feel like a way is opening up! A zoo keeper makes 44 thou a year. That is enough for a single person and I love to travel, so I'm OK with moving. I know I wouldn't be bored and I sure would feel good about myself and that I had a career and really was somebody, did something besides glorified babysitting.

My Testimony

The gospel is everything to me. It's everything I am. It’s how I define myself. As I read the scriptures every night, the pain of my day is swept away. I’m sure of its truthfulness. As in times past the Lord has chosen prophets to lead his work on the earth. Today the prophet is Thomas S. Monson, but it was Joseph Smith who was first called in this time, this dispensation to RESTORE the truth. The reformation was not enough. Confusion still reigned. When I think of the knowledge that Joseph Smith brought back to the world I cannot give it up. I cannot give up that I will see my father who has passed on again. I cannot give up eternal marriage, baptism’s for the dead, revelation, priesthood authority not only in the church but in my home, and especially The Book of Mormon. Every time I read that book the Spirit tells me it is true, the doctrine is true, the people who lived it are real. There is greater joy and peace and knowledge to be had not only in this life, but in the next. Of this I know and bear witness of.

Heaven-Rescued Land!