church callings

when we first moved into the douglas ward all we wanted was a calling we could do together.

(well we really hoped we could sneak by without callings for at least a few months)

we got lucky, and only a week after we moved in, they called us to help at the bungalow.

the bungalow is a special needs home, and we would go with another couple

and conduct the meeting, pass the sacrament, and give a short lesson.

we go right after sunday school and it only takes 20 minutes so we're back for our sacrament.

before we went i was a little nervous, but as soon as we got there we loved it immediately.

they are so excited for church each week and their spirits are so sweet.

you can feel the spirit so strong during every meeting, 

and trust me, you will never leave a fast and testimony meeting there without laughing.

our regulars are: 

john, who passes the sacrament for us and tells us what he ordered at iceberg that week

debbie, who likes to wear her shoes on the wrong feet and is the best helper.

brenda, who proudly shows us her bowling card every week (she usually scores in the 100's!)

mike, who is very shy but comes and sits in the back every week and listens intently

alan, who's pants are always falling down and he drinks his coffee during the meeting

rachel, who loves all animals but especially puppies and kitties

herman, who is rachel's boyfriend and sweetly walks her back to her room each week

marilyn, who gives the same prayer every week and asks to bear her testimony every week without fail

debbie and brenda

after 4 months in the ward they decided that we needed callings in addition to the bungalow.

what can i say, i guess we're just super star ward members.

i got asked to teach the CTR 5 class in Primary.

the class had 4 boys in it to begin with, and then one boy moved and a new GIRL moved in!

they are super crazy and it is well known that i have the wildest class in primary,

but it's been a blast watching them grow up through the year though.

they've all learned to color inside the lines now!

my favorite thing to do is ask them questions and hear the answers they come up with.

it's made me realize how much influence parents have on their kids,

because you can definitely tell what has rubbed off on them from their parents from what they say.

some of my favorite quotes from the kids:

"so you're telling me the holy ghost has a sword and cuts peoples arms off?"

"the atonement is when jesus was bleeding in the forest of god."

"but i've done lots of bad stuff that i forget to repent for."

"my uncle is coming home from his mission... he's been gone so long i forgot his name."

(sometimes we have to take a break from the lesson and go run off some energy outside)

and of course they couldn't let dawson go without another calling,

so they called him to be in the young men's presidency.

it's amazing to me the he takes the same amount of time to prepare for his lessons

as i do for mine (which is about 10 minutes) because his are WAY more complicated.

he does a great job connecting with the boys though,

and i know they are as blessed to have him as a leader as he is to be able to teach them.

it's very different being in a family ward with actual callings,

instead of being in singles wards where your main calling is to socialize and find a date.

it was rough at first having to wake up and be on time for 9am church,

but i know that it has been a blessing in our lives and i couldn't be more grateful

for the gospel, the ward members, and our callings.