Ryland's Birthday & Stake Conference

Well, it's official- Ryland is 11, where has time gone? He is such a smart, tenderhearted, fun, and talented boy. I am grateful that he is in our family. He got to go play laser tag, have Pizza Pie Cafe, and watch a Star Wars movie on Saturday with Spencer, Wylie, Kaylese, Tyler Peckham, Braxton Allred, and Cayton Lund. He said they had a lot of fun. The next day we had a party for him at our house. Winston, Jamie and their kids, along with Preston and his kids and Marian and Tracy came. He got shoes, church clothes, a hat, and a Lego Star Wars guy. He got a few games for the xbox, but he didn't get the until Monday because they came late. Anyhow, overall, I think it was a good day or weekend for him. He just finished his bball season. He has improved so much. He has become a great player. It was fun to watch him. Wylies team took 2nd overall for Junior Jazz. He still has accelerated Basketball going though. His age is a lot more competitive, so he doesn't get played as much as we would like, but he still does well and has learned a lot. Kaylese had her first competition at Thanksgiving point a couple of weeks ago. They did great. So they scored them according to points they could get and they scored 1st place points, so that was a good start. It was really fun to watch her too.
At church on Ryland's birthday, they announced the changes in the ward boundaries. They created a 3rd ward for both Moroni and Fountain Green. We stayed in the 1st ward and didn't gain anyone. Our boundary is on 100 No, then over to the South end of the little subdivision out on the West road. Everyone North of us is now the 3rd ward, with Darren Owens as Bishop, Ron Oldroyd as 1st counselor and Clint Hansen as 2nd Counselor. That was a neat surprise. Everyone living past the subdivision on the West road, such as the Stallings, and Elaine Anderson, and Dixie Cook, all ended up in the new boundaries of the 2nd ward. They are still 200W and East of that in FG, but they lost everyone that lives 100 No and over, and gained everyone in Freedom, and all those living along the highway between here and Moroni and those living on this side of the T on the west road. So it will be interesting to see how it all works. We will have our first Sunday as a new 1st ward this Sunday. I am grateful we are still in 1st ward, but think it will be fun for those in the new formed wards as well. I am bummed Chavonne isn't in our ward, especially living that close, but it doesn't matter. It's not like we saw each other a lot at church anyway. So those were hard changes for some people, but I now they were inspired and that Pres. Peckham follows the Spirit, so it should be good. So I wanted to mention that we had Stake conference this last weekend. Spencer had to work late, but I was able to attend the temple session for stake conference on Thursday with Chavonne. It was a huge session and it was a good one. I have to say, I have now begun to recognize that every time I go to the temple with worries or a prayer in my heart about something, my prayers are answered. In the adult session on Saturday, the speakers talked about being better parents and they said things that were on my mind at the temple. I felt so grateful and blessed when I heard their messages. God really does answer prayers and He really does care about our worries. They also talked about making the Sabbath a delight. I feel grateful that we have a temple this close to us and hope I can continue attending it often. It makes life better. It truly blesses you and your family. So, I need to talk about a funeral we attended last week. So one of Spencers second cousins from Moroni, who married a Dyches from Moroni passed away the week before. Her name is Emily Dyches. She was married to Eric Dyches and they have five children ages 15, 12, 9, 6 & 11 months. She had been struggling really bad with post partum depression and anxiety. She had an anxiety attack while in the car with her Father and tried to get out while he was driving her home to Salem. He stopped on the side of the freeway to try and calm her down and she got out and ran in front of a semi. Saddest thing I have heard in a long time. My heart aches for her and her family. To have it that bad, I can't imagine. The poor lady. And now her poor husband. He is Bishop in their ward. He just had to hire a Nanny to keep things going. Both their parents are heart broken. The funeral was amazing. Her siblings told funny stories and sweet memories about her. Her Dad shared how strongly he felt about the importance of telling those you love that you do love them and why and to take time with each one of them. He said he felt the help of Angels form the other side helping him. Her daughter sang Families Can Be Together Forever, such a sweet and perfect song. Her three older children spoke. I was so impressed with the 12 & 15 year old son maturity. They both have strong testimonies and talked about how Christ like she was. Her husband gave the best talk I have heard at a funeral. He shared so many scriptures and talked about his impressions from her were about Faith conquers Fear, and Good conquers Evil, and how God's hand was in this. He told all of the husbands to please date their wives more often and love everything about them. He said how hard the past year had been but how grateful He was to go through it with her. He is starting a foundation to bring more awareness and resources to those with post partum depression. He even wants to help husbands know how to help. He said she was in the hospital for two weeks because it got so bad, but then she came home and he said they had the perfect two weeks before this happened. It was such a sweet tribute to her. I am grateful for her example in my life. It makes me want to be a more loving Christ like Mother. Also, to appreciate my time with my family more. She was only 39.
Marians brother Ralph passed away the other day. He has battled cancer for years, poor guy. I am so grateful for my knowledge of God's plan. I don't know what I would do without it. I hope I can bring others to this knowledge. I hope I can become the Mother my kids need before it's too late. I have so much of work on and I struggle with so much. I love them with all my heart though and am so grateful that Spencer makes it possible for me to stay home. I wouldn't miss it for the world. We were able to go through the Provo Center Temple Open House Friday, well, some of us. Baylor was being so naughty that Spencer ended up staying out with him and Wylie was with Grandpa Tracy. It was so beautiful! Aynslee kept saying " Mom, it's so bootiful! I love the sparklies! " I feel so blessed to have more than one temple so close to us. I love my family so much and my Heavenly Father.  Until Next time. Justine Cook