End of Year Programs!!!

Jimmy and his friend Spencer after their Chinese program. This year Jimmy had two end of school programs. One in English with all of 1st grade and then one in Mandarin with the kids who did the program this year. It was awesome to see! They sang, danced, and interacted with their sweet teacher, Mrs. Chen, all in Chinese. They have learned so much this year. I am so proud of Jimmy!!

 Anna and her 5th grade diploma. She is off to intermediate school next year and I am sure I am going to have a heart attack! The 5th grade did an awesome patriotic program about the Constitution and U.S. Government. They have learned so much and I am proud of Anna.

 Jacob at his preschool program. He has loved Mrs. Morris and can't wait to go back again next year. He was so excited that Mom, Dad, Grandma AND Granddad came that he smiled the whole time. What a little ham!

Rachel as a red ant with her beloved Mrs. Hatch. Next year she is in 4th grade! They put on a play for the end of the year and it was adorable. Sweet shy Rachel was one of the leads and did a fabulous job. Go Rach!

Happy Birthday Marshall!

You are adorable with your boyish charm and witty humor. You make me laugh. You make me smile. You bring me great comfort and joy. Home doesn't feel complete until you arrive from work. Having your presence in the house makes a huge difference. I cherish your singing drifting through our home as you sing the days away. It lets me know you are happy and content. You are a dedicated, loving father and husband. You are humble and faithful. You served so diligently as a bishop. You were a wonderful and good lawyer. There is a reason why many are sad to see you leave the profession. And you are an incredible teacher. Those Seminary kids are so blessed to have you to teach them the doctrine and open up the scriptures to them in new and profound ways.  you succeed at whatever you put your mind to. I love you and consider it an honor and privilege to go through this journey of life by your side. Happy Birthday!

For Sue

As those of you who have read Sue's blog and followed our crazy adventure, Sue has talked a lot about the things that I have done.  The bishop stuff, the college, the student teaching, the prosecuting, and everything else.  What she hasn't talked about is that she was involved every step of the way.

Seminaries and Institutes say that they don't hire individuals, they hire couples.  Sue went to the classes with me.  She had to be interviewed by representatives from the head office.  She had to be interviewed by a General Authority.  She was part of the process from the beginning.  So on top of all the extra works he had to do at home to compensate for my busier schedule, she had to subject herself to outside scrutiny.

I was never worried about that aspect of the hiring process because, well, Sue is wonderful.  She accomplishes anything that she puts her mind to.  She is the most kind, thoughtful person I know.  In fact, she is the reason people love us here in St. George.  Her thoughtfulness, cards, gifts, and treats are always going around the ward.

She is beautiful, inside and out.

She is a wonderful mother.  Our children love her with all their hearts.  Sometimes they love her a little too much, and they should really just come sit with me, but it is a tribute to the type of mother she is.

She uses her talent to create a home of beauty and rest for her family.  Our house is always taken care of, and she has used her artistic talent to enhance our living experience.

She never misses a day helping our family maintain its spiritual grounding.  She never forgets scriptures, prayers, family home evening, or temple attendance.  She seeks out her ancestors and she looks for ways to teach her own family.

I love Sue, she is a mother who I am proud to honor this day.

Happy Mother's Day.

Life change

This past year has been one that has taken a great deal of faith. Last summer certain circumstances made us consider a career change for Marshall. He entered the Church Education System pre-service program in August and took the semester long class. He ended it with two weeks of student teaching and then made it through the first round of cuts. He has then spent this past semester student teaching early morning seminary at two local high schools, all while being bishop, working full-time as a prosecutor, and teaching a night class at the local college. It all began with inspiration and hope, but as we went through the process it was confirmed to us over and over again that this was something we HAD to do. We could not deny that confirmation. This is what the Lord wanted and we had to do it.

We found out at the end of April that Marshall made the cut and was hired full-time by CES to be a Seminary teacher. We were so excited! However, there wasn't an opening here in St. George and we were told we would have to move. We were so sad to leave behind our family, friends, and life we had made here, not to mention the whole mess of packing and selling our house. We were told we would get our assignment in a few weeks of where we were going. We decided to sit tight and not act until we knew for sure what we were doing. I packed four boxes and that was all I could handle before getting too sad. Marshall was released as bishop, something that has been in the works since January, as he hit his five year mark. It was a bitter-sweet day to think we would be leaving our ward that has become our family. But we knew we had to put our lives in the Lord's hands, that this is something we had to do. I had told the Lord during this year long process all the reasons why we should stay here, but I also knew He would take care of us wherever we went.

This past week we found out that we will be staying in St. George after all! Miracle of miracles, a seminary principle from one of the local high schools put in for a transfer to Colorado. This opened up a promotion to one of the seminary teachers here to that position and left a teaching spot open for Marshall. No having to move, no having to leave our family, friends, and schools. We feel so blessed.

We are so excited for this new chapter in our lives. Marshall will keep his law license and continue to do prosecution work for two small cities that have begged him to keep working for them. But that will only be twice a month. For most of his time, Marshall will be doing what he loves, teaching the Gospel to the youth! Hallelujah! It was a crazy year, but worth it. We've made it!