There was a Relief Society luncheon yesterday
afternoon. The tables were decorated so
nicely. There was LOTS of food. I'm quite certain that there were leftovers,
but I had gone back home to give Roland a message as he wasn't answering his
phone.
I had returned to assist with the clean-up but was told I
wasn't needed. There were several who
had helped clean-up the food table to redecorate for Vanessa's shower. It's fortunate that both were scheduled so
closely together as I don't believe the luncheon would have received the
turn-out that they did. At least half
who had attended were there for Vanessa's baby shower - which received a good
turn-out as well.
I almost didn't go to the shower as we are down to only one
car and Roland had a need greater than my own.
But Sister Neilson said she would follow me home and bring me back again
and return me home after the shower.
The shower turned out to be really fun. There were several games - one involving math
and baby product knowledge. I was off
ten dollars on the diapers and five dollars on the wipes. But good grief - most of my guesses after
that were either way over or way under.
The list included several items which featured a grand total. I was 4.50 under the grand total price. I won the biggest prize that was given. Wow. I
don't think that has ever happened with me before. Especially about baby products and math. But I did it.
Jenna was quite crushed that she hadn't received a prize. But I shared.
She took a selfie with the prizes that she had claimed from my basket.
Silly Girl!
I have so much
admiration for many of the members who live in this ward and the great
distances that several of them make to the Church each week.
I thought Aurelia traveled the furthest distance to get to
church, but I was wrong. Cindy, our
librarian, actually spends a longer amount of time of the road. Yesterday she came for the luncheon, stayed
for the shower, stayed in town to do laundry as there was a baptism scheduled
at 7:00 and remained in Myrtle Creek for the better part of eight hours - the
same amount of time as one would spend at a full work day on the job. Aurelia and Cindy are always the first to
arrive and the last ones to leave - by choice.
Both have the attitude that since they're in town, they might as well
make the most of it - always making the hours they spend in Myrtle Creek last
longer than the time spend on the road.
I know several members who aren't willing to travel 10 - 30
minutes because of inconveniences. They
come up with all kinds of excuses, and yet I look at the dedication of these
two sisters and feel so blessed to share in their wonderful strong testimonies.
Melanie was baptized last night. The service was so wonderful, and her
attitude was beyond description as she glowed and demonstrated such upbeat
behavior. There was a lot about her
baptism that reminded me of Jenna's.
Primary baptisms are usually so much different from convert
baptisms. When I was a youth, our
confirmations took place on Sunday during Sacrament meeting. Today the youth are confirmed as soon as they
have changed from their wet clothes. I
miss seeing those confirmations done at the Sunday meetings.
Converts are confirmed on Sunday. Those that did not have an opportunity to see
Melanie get baptized last night will get to see her confirmed this morning as
she is receives the gift of the Holy Ghost (who has obviously been with her for
a very long time)
I'm grateful for the opportunity I have of attending
baptisms - both primary and convert - as I don't remember my own. I do remember Jenna's. And I do remember the one in which a friend
was baptized - each on a stake level and conducted by the Spanish ward.
It was quite the awesome day. I am grateful for how it has made such a
positive influence in my life.
