October

It is rainy and cold today, but this autumn has been amazingly beautiful! The weather has allowed the trees to come into full color before the rain pushes the leaves off of them. The golds, the reds, and the browns are all so vibrant this year.
Yesterday, on my way to town, I looked over and saw a stand of trees all decked out in their glorious fall colors, and one smaller tree in the middle, still with all of its leaves--and they were bright green. It was striking! I have just been enjoying this season so much.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Zach and Jessica's new baby Lincoln. He will be born next Friday, I can't wait to see him. Soon after he comes, we will get to meet Syndey Faye, daughter of Kelsey and Steven. After the holidays, we will have one more, brought to us by Becky. She is confident she is having a girl, but the doctor said he would bet a nickle, but not his house that it is a girl. I am just so excited to get some new grandbabies.

Life continues to be fast-paced. I have lots of kids in my class this year, and they really keep me hopping. I love them all, though, and feel so blessed to be their teacher. I also teach the little 5-6 year olds at church. I was recently asked if I like teaching at school AND at primary. Lots of teachers, I am told, say no to callings in primary. There are times when I do want to play with the grownups, but I genuinely love working with the kids. I think they keep me young. Additionally, my patriarchal blessing tells me specifically that I will work with the youth all of my life. I believe I have been blessed with the talents to make me effective as a teacher. Also, I really do love doing it.

Life is changing in so many ways. It won't be long before it is just Mark and I in this big house. I am both happy and sad about that. I miss my children, and the fun times we had when they were growing up, but life is good and I love having the grandkids come over. Also, I look forward to good times with Mark. He is such a good man! We haven't ever had alone time...even our honeymoon was just one night in Pocatello.

I also feel like spiritually things are changing. There is SO MUCH opposition to every good thing. There is so much that is attacking the home and family. All around me I see the effects of promiscuity and porn. I also see how Satan is using apathy to meet his ends. Selfishness and meanness is rampant. Its incredible. I remember thinking in the late 90's that I could not believe that things could get any more wicked. The 90's are so tame compared to now, and I wonder how much worse will it get before it is all over.

I have felt very reflective lately, and felt this was a good place to store my thoughts. Someday I will have this turned into a book. I blog WAY more than I journal.

Overall, life is really good. I feel so blessed. I know where all of my wonderful blessings come from and I am grateful for that knowledge.

A funny from school

Today we learned that caterpillars eat so much in two weeks, that their skin gets tighter and tighter until they shed it. (Interesting...did YOU know that?)

As I was sitting in a small group discussing this fascinating fact, one little girl said, "Did you know that can happen to people too?" I thought, I have been on the earth for 50 years, and no--I didn't know that. She continued, "Well, they don't really shed their skin....






they explode."



So, as I was trying hard not to laugh out loud she says,

"My grandpa just gets bigger and bigger....I am nervous he will explode when I am by him."

(Just think about it. You know you have thought it sometimes at WalMart.)