Thanksgiving Break

Since the weather is so nice, I went to Monroe to spend Thanksgiving with the Dimicks.  Sharon Thacker is serving a family history mission there.  Dimicks invited her to Thanksgiving dinner, too.  It was fun seeing her and learning that she is enjoying this experience.

 Frank and Ethel

 Roger and Tanner were there from California.  Tanner's 16th birthday was a couple of days ago, so we celebrate one evening.  Here are pictures of the cake portion of the evening.

I am grateful to have had a very nice Thanksgiving break. What a great time renewing friendships with family members.

Thanksgiving

There are so many things in my life that I am thankful for.  I am thankful for being born into the gospel and having had the opportunity to learn about all of its teachings for my entire life.  It is a way of life for me, rather than merely a religion.

I am thankful for the parents that I had and the countless things that they always did for me.  I appreciate the teachings I was taught which developed my ethics.

I am thankful for a Heavenly Father that has always been there to guide and direct me.  I have had the blessing of having many "families" to watch over me, to help me through good times and bad. 

I have always had great friends.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have a home.  I hate that I still owe so much money on the house, but am grateful that I have it.  I never thought I would have a home and when it really happened I was amazed and oh, so grateful.   I am glad to live in a day and age where so many modern conveniences are around... indoor plumbing, heating, etc.

I am grateful to have good health.  I do have a huge handful of medicines to take each day, but with those meds helping me along the way I seem to be healthy and strong.

I am grateful to have a job.  I always wanted to be a teacher from the time I was very young, and it is amazing to be that that dream came true.

These are only a drop in the bucket of the many things that I have been blessed with in my life.

Pack Meeting

I was asked to come to our ward's pack meeting and present the story of the Star Spangled Banner.  I read this book to the boys and their parents.

This book tells the story of the creation of the American National Anthem.  Join Francis Scott Key on the choppy waters of the Chesapeake Bay in this stunning picture book that will transport you to one of the most important days in U.S. history.

I thought that I knew the story before I presented, but I have to admit that I had part of it wrong.  I learned in studying to present the story!

I thought that Pack Meeting was an interesting experience.  This was my first time.

Now I am a gangster?

You never know what will come out of the mouths of kids and/or what they are thinking. Today, I was getting my lunch when a little third grade boy called my name. I turned to speak with him and he said, "Did you know that with that jacket on you look like a gangster?" I questioned him, " So you think I look like a gangster?" He said, "Yeah, I do." I said, "well, I want you to know that I won't be doing any gangster activities today." He said so seriously, "Oh, good!" He was so much relieved!

Important Thought

Veteran's Day