Primary Program Mayhem!!

Today was the Primary Program in our ward.  As the 2nd Counselor in our Primary Presidency, it is my job to write the program for our ward.  So I thought it would be fun to share just a few of the highlights from this year's program, and a few of the more memorable moments from last year's. 

• This year our Bishop used the analogy of hanging your head out the window and enjoying the ride.  Does that make the rowdy little ones the bugs that fly in your face??
• One of the little boys giving a talk(my nephew Ian) was telling how the Priesthood had blessed his life.  He was telling us how he had been injured and how his eyes had swollen shut for a day.  His mom was helping him and corrected him, saying it was three days.  He turned to her and said, "Three days. one day, whatever, Mom."  Very typical of our little Ian!
• Another little boy came up and whispered to me, "I know my part", then he proceeded to yell it into the microphone.
• The Junior Primary treated us to a very rousing rendition of Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.
• Last year, the little boy sitting next to our Secretary kept poking her in the chest and saying "Booby".  I don't know how she didn't slap him.
• One sweet little girl picked her nose through the ENTIRE program, only stopping to say her part.
• My son and his best buddy sat on the front row, right next to me, for the entire program, and pretended to shoot each other.  I kept telling them to stop, and they would just smile sweetly at me, and then keep on shooting.  They both knew I wasn't going to SPANK them in front of the entire congregation!!
• Last year, one of our sweet little sunbeams would not stop wiggling.  His teacher finally had him sit on his lap.  He promptly fell asleep, and didn't wake up again until after the program was finished.
• One sweet little sunbeam got up with both of our sunbeam classes, and then wouldn't say a part in either class!

These are just a few of the very fun moments that we saw in our sacrament meeting program today.  The funny thing is, I loved every minute of it!!  I looked at those ninety wiggling, squirming, trying to be reverent primary kids, and I felt the love of Heavenly Father.  I love serving these children, helping them learn, and learning from them.  They are great kids and I feel blessed to serve alongside of these beautiful sons and daughters of God. However, after the last two fairly stressful Sundays, I am really looking forward to PAJAMA CHURCH next Sunday (what we call General Conference at our house)!!

Saturday Night Panic Attack!!

Had the chance to stretch and grow this week by doing something that I find totally terrifying.  If you guessed speaking in front of an enormous crowd of people then you are right.  I was asked to speak at our Stake Conference during the Sunday session.  I told our Stake President that I didn't think I could face a crowd of 600 people.  He said not to worry, it was more like 2,000 anyway.  Way to make me feel better, Pres. Porter!  At this point, I told him that my good friends Karen and Kristen both had wonderful experiences that they would love to share with our stake.  He said that he would keep them in mind for the next time around(sorry guys), but he was sure that I was supposed to speak this time.

So I worried, stressed, prayed and spent much time thinking about what I would say to this enormous, terrifying, crowd of people.  I went to the temple, I stayed up until the wee small hours of Friday night/ Saturday morning writing a talk.  I planned what I would wear on SUNDAY.  I went to the adult session on SATURDAY night, and heard these very scary words...next we'll be pleased to hear from Sister Wilde...I had a PANIC ATTACK right then and there folks!!!  My talk was at home, along with my cute dress, and all my calm and composure!!  What was I going to do???  I was sitting on the stand with the choir, so I leaned down to the 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency and said, "President Porter asked me to speak on SUNDAY!!"  He says, "Are you sure??" Umm...YEAH!!!  Pretty sure I wouldn't forget which day he asked me to do this HARD THING on!!!  So President Walker gets up and explains the mix-up and then calls people out of the audience to bear testimony instead (sorry Bro. Toone).  I told them if they didn't have time for me on Sunday it was totally okay with me!!

But they wouldn't let me off that easy, and I was honored to share my testimony with my stake today.  I had the chance to reflect on my Father's Hand in my life this week, and for that I am very grateful.  The past week of reflection reminded me of just how much he has blessed my life and my family.  I am grateful to live in this beautiful valley, and for those who have touched my life for good. 

I also learned a very important lesson.  When you are asked to speak in Stake Conference, double-check which day they actually schedule you for, in case there is a mix-up!! 

A Bountiful Harvest Season

Five days into September, and I am EXHAUSTED!!!  This is my favorite time of year, but it can be very tiring.  Between getting the kiddos back to school, and harvesting, and preserving all the healthy veggies from my garden, there aren't enough hours in the day!  But it is such a great feeling, knowing that I am helping to provide for my family for the coming year.

So far this fall, I have frozen green beans and zucchini.  I have canned peaches and tomatoes, with Madison's help (she was so cute, so excited to be helping Mom can peaches for the first time) .  Made raspberries into jam, and eaten TONS of all these good things.  Still to come are corn and carrots to freeze.  Apples to sauce and slice and then can.  Beets to pickle, for the first time.  MORE zucchini and green beans (they truly are the plants that keep on giving and giving and giving).  Then hitting all the case lots sales to pick up what I don't can on my own at home.  It ends up making September a very busy month, but it is worth it in the end.

I am always thankful to the bounty that has been given when September is done.  I love looking downstairs and seeing the shelves full of good things to feed my family.  I love getting in the freezer, and seeing it full of the vegetables that we grew, and the piggies that we raised.  I have such a feeling of accomplishment when the work is done and the pantry is full for the coming year.  I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the bounty that he provides us each fall.  I am even grateful for the chance to work hard to help prepare it!!