Very blessed & grateful

My heart has been so full these past couple of months that I am not sure where to begin except at the beginning. This might be long, but bare with me. Back in January I was serving as 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency and the Primary President, who also happens to be a great friend of mine, Sara. Her and I had been talking about me not being in Primary for very long and that she knew she would have to let me go one day. I told her that I had been feeling like I was going to serve in Young Women's. I didn't know in what capacity, but that I felt that I would be called into Young Women's. Well, several months pasted and I did not think anymore of it. Then in March I felt really strong that I was going to serve in YW (young women's). Doug and I talked about it and he had a feeling too. I went with the youth in our ward to the Temple to do Baptism's for the Dead. It was Hunter's first time and I wanted to be there. While I was in the temple with the girls I felt strongly again that I was going to serve with the YW, but as the President. I said a prayer in my heart and asked if I was going to be the next YW President. The spirit testified to me that I was to serve the girls and youth. I talked to Doug about this and we continued to talk about it for the next month. The middle of April one of my best friends from Oregon Laurie, called me on the phone. She had asked me to go to Women's Conference with her for the past 7 years and I have not been able to go. She asked me to go this year back in October of 2007, then again this past January. I told her I was not able to. Then again in April she called and tried one more time. She told me that the Spirit told her to ask one more time. Doug and I talked about it and Doug thought that I should go and that we could work everything out. Now mind you Jessica was in the county track meets the week she called. I told her it depended on how she did. Well, Jessica made it to the divisionals, and then to the finals in her division. If she placed in the finals in her division, then she would be going to State which was held on April 30th, and May 1st. Well, that is when Women's Conference at BYU was held. So Thursday night April 24th Jessica ran her track meet and did really well with doing her Personal Best in each of her races, but it did not qualify her to go to state. So on the way home from the track meet I called my friend Laurie and told her that I was coming to Women's conference. She was in shock, but so excited, but kept telling me I better not be teasing her and asking me Are you kidding? So I made the arrangements, but I could not get a flight on the correct days, so once again my loving husband wanted me to go he said just go a day earlier and a day later. It was settled I was to leave Tuesday April 29th and to return on Monday May5th. I was going to be gone five days. Then on Sunday April 27th the Executive Secretary asked if we would meet with the Bishop right after church. I knew what this was about, but then it could have been anything. We sat in his office and I offered a prayer, then he asked me "We would like for you to be the YW President!" I started to cry and tears were shed by all. The spirit was so strong. I told the Bishop that "I knew that I was going to be getting this calling." Doug told him that "I knew for over a month." The Bishop said that "I was a light in the world and that I live in the world, but not of the world and that I am a good example." I knew who I wanted to serve with already, but I took the week to pray and fast and ask the Lord who he wanted to serve with me and the YW. Here is my itinerary for the next week: Tuesday: Left for airport, Doug flew in from AZ at 3pm and my flight left at 5:15pm. I drove to the airport and I picked Doug up at the curb, and I got out at the same time. We said our goodbyes and I was off. I did not get to Utah and to my hotel till 11:20pm that night. Wednesday: I got up early and went to the Salt Lake Temple to do a session. It was 80 degrees on Tuesday when I got in and by the next morning it had dropped to the 3o's. It was cold, and it ended up snowing later that day. After the Temple I still had a couple of hours to kill, before I met Laurie, so I went to the Joseph Smith Building and saw the movie "Joseph Smith". It was very powerful, and it testified to me of the faith Joseph Smith had to ask the Lord in prayer what church to join. I took a shuttle from my hotel back to the airport. I know that sounds silly, but I was to meet my friend there, because she had rented a car and Women's Conference was in Provo at BYU. I was so thrilled to see her again. It had been four years and it was just like yesterday. We always pick up where we left off. Thursday: Our first day of classes. I of course chose classes all about young women's and how I can better my relationships with them. To teach them the gospel standards. Here we are waiting in line to get into a class. Later that day I was able to go to a class given by the new YW General Presidency. They had just be called back in March. They were new and so am I. There class was wonderful. I was on the same page as they were. I felt that we needed to get back to the basics and teach the Gospel Standards to get the girls to the Temple one day. After the class I went and talked to the 2nd Counselor Sister Ann Dibbs who gave me the biggest hug and gave me some personal advice on being the new YW President. She told me to put all other books away and pick up the scriptures. I was in heaven just to meet her, but for her to give me advice was wonderful. She told me many things, but that is what really stuck with me. Later that evening Laurie and I went to do service. We started out making homemade cards for the troops in the military, to be able to send to there loved ones. Those who know me know how much I love doing this kind of thing. I cranked out 25 cards in 30 minutes. Then we decided to try a different service. As we were walking to another building I saw Sister Mary Cook the 1st counselor in the general YW Presidency. I told her about my new calling and she asked me to email her so she could give me something. (I have emailed her, but I have not heard back yet) She also gave me a big hug and great advice. Then we were off again to make Christmas stockings. We sewed up the sides and decorated the fronts really cute. As we were doing this the service fairies came around and gave us 10th row tickets to the concert that evening. We were not going to go to the concert, but with such great tickets we went and it was a blast. Then we went back to our hotel and hit TGI Fridays for a late night snack. Took it back to our room and talked and talked till we were exhausted. Friday we attended more classes. At the end of the day in our last session the Prophet was going to speak to us. When President Thomas S. Monson walked in the room, everything fell silent except for our singing. He sat down, and we all started to sing We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet. I of course bawled and there were not many dry eyes in the place of 20 thousand woman. The spirit was very strong. This was an amazing experience for me, I had never been in the presence of the Prophet before. He is truly the prophet of God, for our time and dispensation. I left feeling so spiritually uplifted that I can't wait to be able to go again next year. The next morning Laurie and I went our separate ways. My sister-in-law Tricia who lives in Provo was gracious enough to come and pick me up from the hotel. I stayed the next two night with their family. They treated me like a queen. I loved every minute of it. Here is a picture of my nephews and their sister. Dalton,Haley,Joshua,&Caleb. I had so much fun playing with the boys and holding Haley. they have a beautiful house and I had my own bedroom down in the basement, in fact I had the whole basement to myself. I started to get sick on Friday night and by Saturday I did not have much of a voice. You all know how much I love to talk. Saturday night Tricia and Damon took me out to a yummy dinner. Then we went tot he LDS bookstore, rent a movie, then we got ice cream. While we were at the ice cream place, I ran into my 3rd cousin Connie. It was so funny to be in another state and at the right place at the right time. We went home and watched a movie on their big screen, and I mean they have an actual movie theater screen. It was awesome to watch.

Sunday I woke up feeling horrible and two of my nephews and little Haley were sick too. Tricia and I stayed home with them form church and just had a very relaxing day. Monday morning my sister in law took me to the airport and I was off. I was glad to see my family once again. I thanked my husband for being so thoughtful of me by working everything out so I could go on this wonderful and spiritual trip. I am blessed and grateful.

I have a testimony of this gospel. I know that it is true. I am thankful for a Prophet here on this earth to guide us in these latter days. I am thankful the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am thankful for a loving husband who honors his priesthood and who is truly my best friend. I am thankful for each one of my children and what they bring into my life. I am thankful for my new calling and I know that if I have faith and ask the Lord to guide me I will know what to do. I am thankful for good parents who raised me in the gospel. I am thankful for great friends to lean on and who support me, even with my crazy ideas. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.