Yesterday, Sunday, Doug was finally sustained and set apart as counselor to the Bishop in the Young Single Adult ward. (There were a few clerical things that needed to be taken care of, so it took a few weeks longer than planned before the actual sustaining took place.) I felt overwhelmed by the tender feelings that we both shared all day long. Doug was asked to speak and bear his testimony in Sacrament Meeting. I love this man. He is such a gentle man and his humility never ceases to amaze me. It was cute... while Doug was speaking, one of the thoughts he expressed was his love for me. He said, "My wife is the greatest thing that ever happened to me." As he said that, Quayd and I both noticed this couple, in front of us, that were seated very close to each other. The girl looked at the boy and said, "Awww. That's so sweet." Quayd immediately leaned over and said, "Did you see that, Mom? They are in love." At the end of the meeting, Bishop Skeen (formerly known as Trace to us all - wink-wink) said, "And we'd like to congratulate these couples who will be getting married in the next two weeks." Sure enough, one of the couples was the cute couple that Quayd had noticed. "SEE! I told ya!" He was so proud of himself. It made me laugh.
Doug's blessing when he was set apart to his new calling was perfect for him. It is always so amazing to me that a blessing can be so perfectly stated, when given by a person who may be a total stranger. (Doug had never met the member of the Stake Presidency who set him apart.) It was as though he'd known Doug his entire life, expressing Doug's strengths and encouraging him just where he'll need it. I love it when the Spirit speaks! Perfect!
Here's Doug and Bishop Skeen. Could my hubby be any better looking in that suit!? I think I'm in love all over again!
We were overwhelmed by the day... so many people to meet, so many names to learn and remember, so many tasks that will need to be done. We are really excited and looking forward to this coming year and serving these students! It will be awesome!
Immediately after Doug was set apart in the Stake offices, Bishop Skeen invited us to his office. He showed the kids his wall, which had wedding announcements and pointed out to our kids that these kids were all kids from the YSA wards, great kids, all getting married in the temple! A young woman walked into the office while we were visiting, the new Relief Society President, who'd been sustained in Sacrament meeting. She walked in and Bishop said, "Okay! Let's do it!" Immediately, Doug and Bishop were placing their hands on her head to give her a blessing and set her apart as the new RSP. Talk about jumping right in! It was a tender moment for me to witness Doug's first official act in the Bishopric. It's going to be a great year! We are so excited for the students to all return to USU in two weeks and for things to really get going!! In the summer, most students go home, so the YSA wards combine from June - August. Two weeks and it will be full speed ahead with all of the students returning to USU.
ZJ has worked all summer and asked not to be paid until she was ready to shop for school clothes! She finally asked for her first paycheck and we went to the bank to cash it...$532.50!!! Doug was on the phone and it was so fun to watch her reaction to being handed the bank envelope! I said, "Now, open it and double check. Count it." She opened the envelope and said, "HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS!!!! and they're MINE!!!!" So cute! She has big plans of paying tithing, saving a bunch and hitting the mall! Her comment to me was that she would like to save lots, become a billionaire and then buy Zions Bank, since it's her namesake.
(Before she was born, Kelly was driving down the street in Tampa, Florida, talking to me on the phone and said, "The next street name I see is going to be what we name the baby." The next street was Zion Street, which is a total Utah name, not a Florida name. Zion if it were a boy and Zyanne, if it were a girl. I suggested Jentry to go with it and said, "Then, when she's a teen, she can be ZJ. Zeej never waited till she was a teen. She's been ZJ most of her life and loves it!) She's kinda cute, isn't she?
Grace left this morning for Bella Voce Retreat. She's in Idaho and will be home for one night then the girls will be heading to the ranch because ZJ is hosting a Young Women's Retreat at the cabin. She's planned this to the T and will be watching the meteor shower from the ranch, where there are a billion stars in the sky every night! Grace was so excited and I have to admit that I choked up a bit, watching her walk into the highschool, as an official Junior! HOW does time go by so quickly!! She was just standing there stomping her foot because Quayd got to go to Kindergarten and she had to wait another year!!!
Quayd and ZJ thought that they'd try a Pinterest trick and put hydrogen peroxide on his hair to give him highlights. Senior Pix were supposed to be today. That's not happening. Orange hair and Quayd's face... no beuno. Live and learn. He's filming for something right now, so at the end of the week, it's haircut time, then he'll get in on Senior Pix retakes. Oops. No pix today of Quayd. (wink-wink)
It was a wonderful weekend! I told Doug, as we were lying out in the grass in our backyard that I have not been this happy in my lifetime! Really and truly! I'm loving every minute of life! I feel so great about all that is going on in our world! Yesterday, a friend commented that she could just feel my joy! That's the way I like it!! We are blessed! Truly blessed! Life is good!
Great photos of everyone Sophia. Hubby looks very handsome and the girls are getting so so grown up!
Posted by: Linda Laver | Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 07:46 PM