Hurricane LDS Stake Primary Presidency

L to R: Keli Beatty, 1st Counselor; Shauna Stratton, 2nd Counselor; Me, President; Cami Gubler, Secretary

As an era of service draws to a close, I would like to pay tribute to a group of dedicated and wonderful women. These women have stood by my side for the past 3 years with dedication and faith. I have learned so much from their unconditional love and support. They truly had the welfare of the Primary children in their hearts as they diligently trained counterparts in the wards, visited Primaries, helped wherever and whenever they could. The countless hours spent in the service of the Lord is uncomparable. I love these sisters who have served so well. I shall miss rubbing shoulders with such capable women. They truly exemplify charity, love, and humility. It's been a great ride! Thanks ladies, you are the best of the best!

24th Of July Pioneer Parade

The state of Utah always celebrates the 24th of July. This is in commemoration of the pioneers coming into the Salt Lake valley back in 1847. Many celebrations dot the state of Utah, and most towns have their own little pioneer parade. The 5th ward had their entry of covered wagons, and primary children & leaders riding horses along side. Even the new bishop (Len) got in on the action riding in the forward covered wagon.

Here are some of the horse riders, Brigham Hirschi and a friend.

Kristine Hirschi has been the Primary President in the 'old' 5th ward for 5 years. Even though she was released from this calling, she continued to serve and pull together our entry in the parade. She was a great president and the children grew to love her over the years. Thanks Kristine.

Even our local Samoan friends entered in the parade. Pioneers in their own right as they joined the church and have been faithful addtions to our community.

The New Bishop

On July 2, 2011 Len was called by President John Bramall to be the new bishop of the Hurricane 5th Ward. It came as a shock to us as Len has already been a bishop twice before. He, as always, is happy to serve wherever the Lord needs him. Our LDS Stake recently underwent a complete revamp of ward boudaries. We in the 5th ward lost 1/2 of ours and gained half more. Change is a great thing. We are excited to have new blood , new ideas, new people.

The New 5th Ward Bishop

A day with my mom!

 What a great day I had with my mom today. We started out early with a trip to the volunteer center. Mom is going to volunteer at the Dixie Regional Medical Center in the Intensive Care unit as a family host. She will be in charge of taking care of the family members who come to be with family in intensive care. She will be perfect for the job, I don't know anyone more caring and concerned for someone who is not well. Mom is always very mindful of people who are hurting, sick, or in need of a little TLC. Way to go mom!

Next we just had to hit the dollar store. We always find something we just can't live without - but didn't know we needed. Mom's favorite find is the elastic bowl covers, so much better than Saran Wrap!!! I am glad for that discovery myself. Love them. I was also on the hunt for popscicle sticks, couldn't find any in all of

St. George, I guess there is a run on popscicle sticks - who would have thought. I am working on more projects, this one is for a "Garden of Helpers" idea for choosing helpers in Primary. I need the sticks for the garden, I will find some, but how much gas am I wasting driving around looking for them? Today is the day to be successful in my search, or I don't need them!!

The day was capped off with an outdoor cooking demonstration and dinner for my new and old 5th ward friends. There were about 40 people in attendance. I got this cute picture of Sheila Dutton and Linda Ballard, our old Relief Society President and counselor. Aren't they just precious. Linda is always smiling and doing as is Sheila.

Brother Richard Campbell hosted and demonstrated for all of us. Before he started he honored Linda Ballard for all the love and care she gave to everyone in the 5th ward while she was the Relief Society President. Our wards have now been split and she is in another ward - so sad. Thanks Linda for all you did, you were an awesome visiting teacher for me too!

Relief Society Cooking Social

The end of my day spent with my mom was going to the home of Richard and Sara Campbell and participating in an outdoor cooking demonstration. Brother Campbell showed us this inground cooking pit he made. He cooks all kinds of meat in the pit. For us he cooked a roast. It was so tender and good. Takes him about 5-10 hours to slow cook a roast in the pit.

 After learning how to cook the roast we got to eat it. So good. Brother Campbell also demonstrated dutch oven cooking of potatoes and Carmel Apple Spice cake. It was so yummy. We got to feast on poatoes, carrots, tin foil dinners, roast and homemade bread, topped off with the yummy cake. All of the feast was made outdoors.

Brother Campbell is multi talentes. He loves to do wood working. He took us into his wood shop and we got to see some of he wonderful toys he makes. Here is an old time car he made. His sweet wife Sara proudly displayed it for my camera.

Here he is showing us how this freight truck actually works. He has an amazing love and talent for wood. He is such a wonderful man.

Here is the finished product. We have yet to use it as we don't have a handle to turn on the water. My brother Dan works in Salt Lake and he is looking for us one. We bought the set but it doesn't work right, needs a special one. But it is a mighty fine shower to look at!

The cabinets turned out great also. Once I get my wall cabinets hung then I can move stuff off the top of the vanity and it will look really nice. The dark color looks so much nicer than the old wood grain. The project is getting closer to being finished and usable.

Here is a side view of the shower. I really didn't invision it like this but Dan was a master of framing and I love it. I am on the look for a great bench to put under this window. It is a challenge but one I am up for. I love the hunt!

My 2nd book begins

The second chapter of our lives has begun with Youth Conference. This years theme was centered around service. There were 940 youth involved this year, amazing! One of the highlights was the Saturday morning service projects. They youth were split into groups and sent out over the valley to do service for people in the communities of Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, Virgin and Springdale. We drove around and you could see projects going on all over. Can you imagine what a group of 940 youth and their leaders can accomplish?! It was really something to behold.

Here is the group that Len worked with. They did a yard makeover for a single mom in the 5th ward. They really transformed her yard for her. Not a single moan from any of the youth, and it was really hot.

Along with service is my ongoing projects in our home. We are now working on our master bath renovation. From top to bottom it all came out and the work began. My brother Dan helped me cut out the oversized jet tub and framed me in a walk in shower! I am in heaven ( at least I will be once I can use it!)  I gutted the cabinets and gave them a fresh coat of paint. The walls got textured and painted as well. A friend from work put is some long days doing all the tile work in the shower.

Justin Downey is the friend from work. He did an amazing job on the project. Thanks Justin for all the hard work it really looks great!