Rasmania 101: Learning lessons and a beautiful day on the slopes

This week was a learning experience as we had our first major activity for the Stake YM/YW. I learned that I can't depend on anyone else to make sure things go as planned; I learned that I need to be on top of what's happening for the whole year, and I learned that the Lord does help. I was resting a week ago Saturday, just about to drift off and I started thinking about the Fireside that was coming up on Wednesday. I realized that although everyone knew the date and time from planning calendars, no one knew anything else. I called my secretary and she volunteered to do posters for the foyers so that the fireside would be advertised on Sunday. She asked me who was speaking and I looked through all my emails from the YM president and realized he'd only given me first names (and I couldn't get him to call me back). I made a quick decision that we'd meet in the chapel and wear Sunday best.

Diana made the posters and my presidency got them in the meeting houses, and then...church was cancelled! Luckily only the wards that met at noon were cancelled (and maybe only 2 of them), but I felt bad that not everyone got to see Diana's hard work. I had at least been on the ball on refreshments and we had ordered 200 cinnamon rolls.

Wednesday night rolled around and I was so worried no one would show up. At 6:50 there were very few people in the chapel, but by 7:05, we were putting up chairs in the overflow. We began the meeting about 10 minutes late to a full congregation. Then I was slightly worried we didn't have enough treats.

The fireside went well, but it was too long. The YM President took it on himself to speak and introduce the theme. He did fine but I think that knowing we had two more speakers plus an introduction to Trek, he should have streamlined his part. The main speaker was great. A young man (a senior in High School) who was paralyzed this past summer told his story which was one of miracles. He had been told he would never walk again, and he walked into this meeting and up to the podium--he wasn't walking normally, but he was walking. Then his mother told her part of the story. I'm sure she'll have more opportunities to share her story, and hopefully between now and then she will streamline her presentation. She went way over. Our high councilman told Roy that he could see in the faces of the youth that she was losing them. Apparently, she wasn't as observant.

As soon as she was finished, the trek committee took 10 minutes to talk about the theme for Trek. My counselors and I hurried out to get the refreshments ready. We had 7 large trays of sweet rolls and we took two trays and cut the rolls in half. We ended up with a few leftovers, but if the lady who made the sweet rolls hadn't generously given us about 20 extra, we would have maybe ended up with 6 leftover. Not very many kids took a half portion unless they were looking for seconds.

One of the YM leaders had helped set up 2 tables. They all left without checking to see if we needed help cleaning up.

I didn't mention in last week's newsletter that Roy and I chaperoned the multi-stake dance on Saturday night (the 5th). I assigned myself to the duty because I wanted to see what would be expected of me when we host the dance in August. I found out tons of good information and in fact have already scheduled the decorator and the DJ. It will be a lot of work because we are the manpower behind the set-up and clean-up, but I am already planning on having a couple of committees so we don't get stuck with everything. At least this will probably only be my responsibility one time throughout the duration of my calling.

Next up--ward conferences, which begin next Sunday and go through March. This won't be too bad because we only have 6 wards in the stake. In our previous stake there were 12 wards!

Although the fireside made the first half of the week stressful, the rest of the week was great. We had our carpets cleaned Wednesday and our house feels so clean and fresh. It's amazing how soft the carpet feels after a good cleaning. Roy also had our carpet cleaner do the carpets at his office--He said they were a different color after Frank was done. Frank does a really good job.

Christine and I went to lunch on Thursday to celebrate her birthday--a little late. I took her to Fat Fish--a new and very good sushi place. We shared 3 rolls then walked over to a fabric store. I always have fun visiting with my sister (and Nan when we have that opportunity).

I have said I'm not going to say "Happy Birthday" in my letter because it's easy to miss someone, but we did have 2 birthdays in our family this week--Matt and Caitlyn. With both of them being in Logan, we didn't celebrate with them, but we did think about them.

Saturday Roy and I joined the Green family on the slopes at Snow Basin. It was a gorgeous day.

Me with Ollie and Gunnar

Ollie and Gunnar

Notice the "soup" covering the valley behind us

Finn with his Uncle Parker (Emmy's husband)

This doesn't surprise me at all. Finn was on the slopes
even after his brothers gave it up for the day. He
is amazing for a 3 year-old. He's a good little skier.

Adrienne hung out in the lodge with Ila a lot. Lisa took
a couple of turns her so Adrienne could ski. Ila isn't very happy
when I hold her.

While we were skiing I got a text from the Atkinson's in our ward asking if we wanted to go to a movie that night. I said we'd love to if they'd get the tickets since we were skiing. When we got home we had a short time in the hot tub, then went to the movie "The Upside." I loved it. It was really funny and touching and although most movies never mention God, I could see God's redemption throughout the movie, for both the ex-con and the paralyzed man.

As church was cancelled last week, this was our first week for the 2-hour block. I loved it. I loved the study time with Roy both last week and this week, and I love the shorter time to sit on hard chairs. I can see why it is sad for Sara where the Young Women are involved, but for me it was great.

Other pictures from the week: