November 4, 2017

We've been waiting for today for a long time!  Today was Emma's first date!!  We decided to obey the law and not let Emma drive other people in her car...which meant that Greg and I chauffeured them around all day.  It really took me back to my dating days.  It was fun, but somewhere along the way, I got old.  When I picked them all up at 11:00 from the dance, I was so tired!

Ready for dinner!!

They hiked and played and picnicked in Snow Canyon during the day.  Greg took really awesome pictures of them all at Seegmiller farm.  Then they played in our backyard and had dinner on our patio.  We catered Olive Garden (which meant some for us, too!).  The patio looked so pretty all lit up and decorated.  Julia had really helped me get it ready.  They all played soccer and volleyball in the backyard for awhile before we headed to the dance.

Preston, Lainee, Emma, Ben

Ben and Emma on the front left.

Emma and Ben!!

First Date Cuteness!!

When it was all over and Emma and I had dropped off her date (Ben) and come home, we sat in the family room and talked it over.  She told me she had so much fun--more than she had thought she would.  She told me she set her expectations really low, just in case!  That gave me a good laugh.

I'm so glad I got to help make it fun.  Emma looked so pretty.  It's so hard to believe she is sixteen, and that she is old enough to drive and date!  But I love watching her as she grows.  It has been an absolute joy for sixteen years.

Today we also went to Avree's baptism.  I got to be one of the speakers.  I love Avree and it was so fun to talk to her about baptism.  Baptisms are so special, and Avree's was wonderful.  We enjoyed a casual lunch at Sunee's house to celebrate Avree.  The kids had a fantastic time with their cousins.

At Avree's baptism.
Back: Rindi, Austin, Miles, Julia, Lance
Front: Avree, and Owen

Greg has been working hard on his talk for Stake Conference.  I didn't get to hear him speak because it was during the Priesthood Leadership session, but he felt really good about it.  He shared the amazing story about a Patriarch with heart problems.  He had fasted and prayed and was led to President Nelson, still a practicing heart surgeon.  President Nelson reviewed his case and told him his problem was inoperable.  After multiple visits and multiple explorations, the advice was the same: there was nothing Dr. Nelson could do.  Finally, humbly, this Patriarch told President Nelson, "I have prayed so hard, and I've been led to you.  The Lord can't tell me how to solve my heart problem, but he can tell you.  Please try, and I know you will be inspired."  President Nelson was so touched by this that he went ahead with the surgery, "not knowing beforehand what he should do."  As clear as a picture, the solution came to President Nelson's mind as he operated.  The Patriarch was spared.  And many lives have been blessed by this newly discovered solution to a common heart problem.

Greg talked about the power of prayer.  I've been thinking about this, too.  I've been wondering what it might feel like to pray with ALL the energy of my heart and soul.  How often do I actually do this? This thought has caused me to reevaluate my prayers.  And I had to smile a little, too, because I had been praying that our family might be able to increase our spirituality.  And then Greg got called to speak in Stake Conference.  I thought that was a fine and dandy solution.  Until I got called to be the Relief Society president.  Hmmm.  At least I know one thing: my prayers are heard.

Last game!  So much fun for Greg and Owen!
Owen is the tallest in the back.