Projects

I haven't been posting much this week because I have been busy with a few things:

1. These is My Words
My Provo bookclub is reading this book for February. We meet tomorrow night. I read it many years ago and apparently forgot all about it (book amnesia). I love this book. It is excellent! If you are in the market for a good read, this will keep you surprisingly riveted and interested. Don't let the title fool you. I could read it again and again.



2. Thailand presentation
My nephew, Landon's fourth grade class is studying Asia this year. Next week they will be highlighting a number of countries in Asia, like Phillipines, Thailand, etc. On Tuesday I get to do a 40 minute presentation about Thailand for 90 4th graders! I am very excited about this and look forward to telling them about a place that I love. However, my shipment from Australia STILL hasn't arrived. Meaning... I don't have any of my clothes, photos, books, cookbooks, souvenirs, flag, etc. So sad. I am doing what I can to gather up some things for Tuesday. I plan to bring in some food for them to try, teach them how to write their name, count 1-10, teach them to bow, some funny customs and etiquette of Thailand, etc. I hope it's fun for them.

3. Sunday lesson
On Sunday I get to teach the 2nd chapter from the Teachings of Joseph Smith in Relief Society. Thankfully, the woman I am substituting for called me weeks ahead of time, so I have been able to work on this over the past week or so. The lesson is about "God the Father". The main ideas are:
1. God is the loving Father of all mankind and the source of all that is good.
2. When we comprehend the character of God, we comprehend ourselves
3. The Godhead is made up of 3 separate beings- the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost
4. The Godhead is in perfect unity, God the Father presides

I like this quote from our late prophet, President Hinckley:
“I believe without equivocation or reservation in God the Eternal Father. He is my Father, the Father of my spirit, and the Father of the spirits of all men. He is the great Creator, the Ruler of the universe. He directed the Creation of this earth on which we live. In His image man was created. He is personal. He is real. He is individual. He has “a body of flesh and bones as tangible as mine.”

I enjoy assignments like this one because it motivates me to study a subject, to really research it, delve into the topic, and learn something new. I have so many things I would like to share in this lesson. So many great quotes, stories, scriptures, etc. But I only have 40 minutes! (if that) so I have to cut it down. I am glad that I have had this opportunity.

4. Scrapbook nite
I wanted to prepare some things to go to my ward's scrap nite this Friday. I don't know if that is going to happen unless I have a very productive day tomorrow. As I shared earlier, I haven't done any scrapbooking in years, so I am not prepared. And, once again, since our shipment isn't here, I don't have any of my supplies. However, my friend Kaylyn has a cute little site and she said her layouts are 40% off right now. Hmmm, sounds like a pretty good idea to me! I might just pick up a few of those and take them on Friday to work on. I will have to look at the site to see which photos will work. If you are interested, it's www.kbscrapbooks.com. I know it's the easy way out, but at this point there is nothing on the production line so I may as well take that route, right? Poor Ashley's scrapbook doesn't even exist at this point!

Anyway, that is what I am up to this week. Indoor soccer is over so I have my Fridays back (hence I am able to go to the scrapbook nite, whereas I wouldn't have been able to before) Sorry family, I might have to miss Game Night! I did lousy last week at Catan. Adam will enjoy winning this week. Actually, I should note that Jared won last week- a first. Adam took losing suprisingly well (if you were in attendance you would realize I say that with heavy sarcasm).

One other exciting thing that happened this week was getting stuck in Lori's driveway. Yes, I was really stuck. At one point I was picturing a tow truck coming to pull me out. I had the van loaded up with Lori's stuff. I pulled into her driveway behind the house in Pleasant Grove... I was almost to the end of the driveway, where I would park, when I heard this crunch sound and the car stopped. The snow was pretty deep as it is not plowed or shoveled (good luck with that, Lori). I thought it was high-centered but really there was just ice under the tires. Luckily, Lori and Kelly showed up soon and with their help and Lori's friendly neighbor, we finally got it out. It was looking bleak for a while there. Then, of course, with my luck, I got stuck again trying to get out. Seriously. This time it only took a few tries and I got out of there. No need for pushing and sweating. What the heck. When is all this snow going to stop?!