IT'S A SMALL WORLD AND IN THE CHURCH IT IS EVEN SMALLER!

Just a couple months after we moved to Canada my dear friend Angi moved

to California.  She had mentioned that I should look out for an Elder Draper

from California as he is in my mission and Angi and his Mom have become 
friends. As fate would have it I had been asked to help serve a lunch the
very next week to missionaries for a Mission Conference.  I called Angi
and told her I would look for Elder Draper. Elder Draper's Mom Teri
called me and was so excited that I would see her son today! 
It is funny how thrilled we are as Mothers that someone we may not
even know gets to see and talk to our missionaries! If you have ever
had a missionary out.. you know exactly what I mean! I was so happy
to track down Elder Draper and his Zone.  I think they all enjoyed the
 attention as well! Elder Draper is the one in the middle.



The Zone



Now this was a BONUS for ME!!  While I was in the kitchen preparing the meal

a sister asked which General Authority was here.  Someone answered her...

President Zivic of the 70's.  I gasped!!  They said what?  I said he was my 

oldest son Tyler's Mission  President in Spain!! After he had eaten I went up

and asked if they remembered Tyler.  They both jumped out of their chairs

and gave me the biggest hugs...It was a tender and teary moment for me as

I know how much Tyler loves them and what a wonderful influence for good

they have had on his life.  They were thrilled to talk and said some very sweet

things about my boy.  I felt a bit like a groupie and guilty for taking the time away

from the missionaries but for some reason I felt like the Lord sent me a

blessing today. :) The only reason I took my camera was to take a picture of Elder

Draper.  Good thing I had it with me!



After lunch was over the whole group sang Army of Helaman.  At the end they

sang and thank you for the food....It was moving and darling all at the same time. 

I couldn't help but think about my Blake in South Africa serving in much the same

way these boys are.  I am so thankful for the members there that are good to him. 

It was a wonderful day!

Help Is On The Way!

I got a call last week from the Young Men in our Ward. They wanted to come and help me do some Spring Cleaning.... inside or out...my choice! With Steve and my yard guy (Blake) gone it was such a nice and generous offer. Although it is much harder to be on the receiving end of service I was very grateful for it. They showed up with rakes, shovels, trimmers and gloves and got to work. They helped clean out my flower beds, racked leaves, planted my flowers and spread the mulch. It went fast and it looks wonderful! Here is a picture of some of the crew working on the mulch. Look at these darling workers....Michelle and Deana (both leaders if you can believe that....they look like the girls) and our sweet Mackenzie.

Leslie (in our Bishopric) straight from the office. But he worked blue scrubs and all...

Brian (YM Pres.) Has been so good and kind to our family. Thanks so much everyone! It looks great!

I wish I had taken more photos so you could see everyone that was there and what an improvement it was but I forgot to take pictures until it was too late!

Keller 2nd Ward Memorial Day Swim Party! 5-25-2009

We had our Ward party at the Hidden Lakes Club House. It has become a tradition and one that we all look forward to. We have a BBQ with great food, volleyball and swimming. It's fun to take time out of our busy lives to reconnect with those we love but never seem to get time with. We truly have so many wonderful, talented people in our ward! How blessed we are to live in such a wonderful area.

Grant: READY, SET, SUMMER!! Darling Lauren with her handsome Simon. Hot Mama Jill in the background.

My darling daughter Camille and Mr. Grant.

I love these women...Taylor, Val, Michelle, Raleen and Rebecca. It almost looks like we have a Ward uniform with all of the hot pink going on...HA

Our handsome Pierce. He is SO adorable!!

The cook! Nate and his BIG Green EGG!! He is a tradition as well...........;)

Thanks to all who helped. What a success it was!

THE 10 VIRGINS

We are working on a play for the Relief Society in our Ward. It is based on the Parable of the 10 Virgins found in Matthew. My good friend Dina is in charge of the play for the night and she did a wonderful job at casting the ladies that would be in the program. We had all if them come and make their own lamps that they will use in the play. It was a wonderful way to make it personal for them and hopefully a treasure and reminder of the program afterwards. All TEN were there!! It was a touching and fun evening. I know that we ALL enjoyed it.

Here are a few of the ladies looking over their parts. Michelle hard at work crafting her lamp!

Karen and Krista

Darling little Lauren. Lauren says she has stage fright already. I'm not sure why as she has a beautiful voice!! She has time to calm her nerves... the program isn't even until November! Yes, we are on the ball!! We have Ms. Dina to thank for that as she is Miss Organized. And...yes, she for sure would be one of the WISE....

Everyone admiring Karen's creative flare...

Artists hard at work!

Creative juices are flowing here.

Our darling President Christine.

Krista and Angie...Rich and Beautiful!! But are they WISE....?? Krista and Angie?? Of course they are!! :)

Brother Gunderson (a master potter) came and helped with the evening. He was such a wonderful help and so supportive. Honestly I need him on the Enrichment board. Is that legal?? :)

The finished lamps. They were all so different and unique. What a fun night and great memory.

Stay tuned....as I am sure I will post pictures of the program.