Missionaries and Missions....

come in all different shapes and sizes!

I think I have mentioned that Jena wanted to serve a mission when she turned 19.  Many people in her situation don't serve until after they finish school which happens in Utah sometime around age 22. Jena was firm.  She wanted to go when she was 19.  After some praying and thinking and praying on our side, we decided that was the right thing so we began working with her to get her papers put together and submitted.  We had a bit of a delay because of the ward change so our new Bishop had to meet with her and we had to redo some of the paperwork with the new information but it still went fairly smooth.

the picture submitted with her application

The call for a young Church Service Missionaries comes from the Church headquarters through the Stake president.  The Stake President actually serves as her direct mission president although there are also 3 couples called in our region who serve as her group leaders and lead month mission activities for all of the Young Church Service Missionaries in the area.  Friday afternoon he called to say that he had her call in hand and was going to put it in our mail box so that she could get it out of the mailbox herself.  (Can't find the pictures of her getting it out of the mail box!)

We ran around like crazy people to invite the people Jena wanted to be there to share this special moment with her.  We didn't get everyone but it was fun to share it with people who love Jena and who she loves back.

She was called to serve as a young Church Service missionary at the Layton Deseret Industries on Wednesdays starting Oct. 14th and at the Church History Museum on Tuesdays on November 3.  We weren't expecting her to start until November but she is ready to go!

Jena with her call

with Emily Elhen

Fish lips with Brandon Dickson, one of her life long friends

Bishop and Kari Hatch, new Bishop

(Old) Bishop (and home teacher), Tami, Jared Slater

with Grandma Hall

Elessia, Jessica, Liam and Jena

Scarlett and Chantel (Scott was at work)

We faced timed with Tosha and Austen later that night to share the news with them. Then posted the news on Facebook, text and other ways to the rest of the world.

Bishop and Jolie Watson

Meggan, Gregg and Kristy Sparrow

Exciting day (and yes, I did cry a bit!)

Utah Down Syndrome Foundation

I have enjoyed most of my time as the president of UDSF but I have to admit that I am counting the days down until the end of the year when I step down.  There is just so much going on in my life that I don't feel that I can give my best attention to it.

Exciting things have happened over the past  2 1/2 years and I am proud of many of the things which we have accomplished,  We have amazing volunteers who help accomplish the work of the foundation.

Getting back Monday, I spent the next two days at my internship and then headed to Hill Field for a conference where we presented about UDSF and spent the day on October 1.

Our display at Hill Field

When I got home that evening, all I wanted to do was sleep but instead I cleaned my house.  I think it had been almost a month since I did much housework other then vacuuming and keeping the kitchen clean.

That turned out to be a wise move because it turned out that Friday, October 2 was a very special day!

We didn't put the suitcases away....

because after getting home on Sunday, we had to get our laundry done and things packed again to leave Tuesday night to head to Arizona for my nephew, Jordan's birthday.  The plan was for Jena, Ben and I to go but that was uncertain until almost the last minute.  Ben had been having trouble with his medication and had to be put at the CRU (small impatient unit in Layton) for a few days.  His therapist and doctor were still worried about his medication but decided to release him Tuesday evening so that he could travel with us to AZ.  I was so glad it worked out because he had some great times while there and managed the traveling part okay.  Gary stayed home to stay the job hunt and take care of our dogs.

Gary drove the kids to my school and then the three of us drove to Beaver that night and then to Mesa on Wednesday.

Jordan and Sarah chose to get married at the LDS Gilbert Temple.  Watching the temple be built was part of their dating history so it was perfect for them.  It was the first time that I had been there and it is a very beautiful building-inside and out.

Waiting for the bride and groom

Jordan and Sarah Ipson

Ipson nieces and nephews

Gilbert Temple

September 24th is also Jena's 19th birthday so after the wedding and dinner, we had cupcakes and ice cream at the Ipsons.  I think she liked celebrating her birthday in Mesa although she missed the rest of the Halls.

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY,  JENA !!!

Friday evening was the reception. The best part was the dancing.  I loved watching Jena, Ben and their cousins dancing together and having a fun time.

Morgan Willford, and Max and Sophee Giberson spinning on the floor

Ben and Megan Ipson

Cousins are the best---

Ben, Jena, Megan with Kylie standing up

Jena dancing with Morgan

 Saturday included attending the General Women's broadcast with Valerie, Jena and several of the nieces and niece-in-laws and then afterwards we went to dinner.  That doesn't happened very often. We played some games, enjoyed being together, and talked and talked and played some more games. We also watch the early morning BYU football game.

Jena, Kylie, Kristen, Will, Ben, Megan

It was sad to head home on Sunday night.  I could have stayed another week.  We again did it in two days making a stop at Page, AZ, on Sunday night.

I love the times this month that I was able to spend time with my family on both sides.  We are so lucky to have of these people--Halls and Gibersons in our lives.  Thanks for the memories!

Hall Reunion at Bear Lake-#2

Two years ago we gathered the extended Hall family at a big house in Bear Lake over Fall break. This time we wanted to go in the summer to enjoy the beach and lake more, but when I went to make a reservation the same house was not open anytime in the summer (by mid-January).  The vote was the house was the key so we picked a weekend in September--17th through the 20th.

This time all of our kids were able to come except for Tosha and family in Japan.  The weather was beautiful and we had a restful and fun time being together. Ben came up on Thursday which was his birthday so we were able to have birthday cake with him before Gary and he headed home that night.

Scarlett while we were waiting for breakfast

View from the deck

New sand box

Scott with his cousins Matt and Nathan

Gary and Gary Kerr tried to fly our kites from Oregon
but the wind wasn't very good

Scarlett and Jena taking a minute on the stairs out back

Game playing

Great grandchildren "sandwich" on the indoor tramp

Liam and Jessica

We didn't really do anything spectacular but it is just good to be together in a beautiful spot.  Uncle Mike, Scott and Chantel and several others went shooting on Saturday and had a great time.

The only downside for me was I started feeling sick with a cold on Saturday which hung around for the next 2 weeks---mortal bodies, you have to love them!

This is what my house looks like

when I got back to school right after a big event....

This is the Saturday a week later and doesn't even include the 7 boxes of paper rockets and 6 launchers, five Strider balance bikes, seven boxes of snack cakes, and a couple of other boxes which made it all the way downstairs.  This stuff has been cleaned up and much of the stuff we took up to Logan Utah for their Buddy Walk at the end of September, but my office/craft/exercise room still has piles to sort through---sad to report!!! Well, there is always Christmas break.

Year Two of graduate school

There are times that I wonder why I am doing this, but in the heart of my hearts I know that it is the right thing for me at this point in our lives.  In some way, it will allow me in the future to interact with people at a time in their lives that will matter to them and to me.  Truly I have loved school so far.  It is only in the middle of the busyness that it gets a little crazy and I want to second guess my decision.

The week after the Buddy Walk, I started my new classes for the semester and also my internship with the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS).  I work out of both the Ogden and Clearfield offices and I am connected with the post-adoption group.  Mostly I just go to meetings and talk to staff about their jobs.  It is all very interesting and like I told Gary, "I am not in Kansas anymore."  It is suppose to be about 14 hours a week.

We also still have two classes on Tuesday nights.  One of our professors gave us a Social Worker Survival Kit.  I haven't actually used any of it yet but my kids have.

Missing a few of the items!

It included: Tylenol-for the headaches you will get; marbles-for when you lose your own; paper and pen-for jotting down appointments; colon ball-to remember feelings are soft; rubber bands-to remember to be flexible in your thinking; button-to help button your lip from saying what you may really think; tea bag-so you will take some time out to relax; caffeine-to keep you away; starbursts-for the burst of energy when you really need it; nuts- for when you feel like you are going completely nuts; M&Ms-you won't earn much money-job satisfaction come from much more; quarter-listening with an open mind makes more "cents"; smiley face-to remember your impact fro good makes it all worth while.

So life is busy at a higher level again, but I am learning so much and it is always good to be doing something that you know is what Heavenly Father wants you to do....now if I only knew what for????