OtterPops: Keep On Keepin' On

A unique component of our church is that every member has a "calling" or opportunity to serve in various capacities to help run the programs within the church. Both Jared and I have served in a lot of different ways at different times in our lives. Right now (for the past couple years) Jared has been serving in the Boy Scouts program for the young men (first 11 year old scouts, and most recently called as Scoutmaster and counselor in the Young Men's program). I have been serving as 1st Counselor in the Women's program (Relief Society) to help facilitate the activities for women ages 18 and up. These are both somewhat consuming (time and energy wise) as we attend presidency meetings, work on schedules, planning or facilitating. On any given week Jared is attending scouts for the evening or a camp out and I have a meeting or activity of some sort on another evening so we are grateful when we can both be home together! We both assist in the Sunday meetings with teaching lessons, conducting meetings, running programs, etc. I am not saying this to boast, just to record for journal efforts what we do! Although it can be consuming, we are both grateful we have the ability and willingness to serve and I know the blessings can be felt from giving our time for these. Plus, in some regards, I feel like we are paying it forward for when some other leader is taking time away from his family to help Jonas in Boy Scouts or planning activities that I will attend. Jared is an amazing leader and seems to find a good balance between teaching the boys and letting them have fun. He puts up with the antics of 11 and 12 year old boys which I honestly have little patience for and he uses his organizational skills to achieve the ranks and merit badges needed to progress toward their Eagles.

I sincerely love this aspect of our church because it presents the opportunity to work with and get to know people we wouldn't otherwise associate with. Whether the age or demographic differences, or personality differences...there is so much to learn from working with someone it is difficult to work with and a lot to learn from people who have different points of view or more wisdom and experience. I, for one, feel like I have been given this great opportunity to learn while serving alongside all of the people I have served with throughout my life.

Here are a few recent pictures of us in our callings. It seems so everyday-ish that I often forget to document or take pictures of these things. Jared recently had the opportunity to take his scouts for an overnighter on the USS hornet. From the aircraft carrier museum website, this is a quick summary of what he took the boys to experience:
The aircraft carrier USS Hornet is a national treasure, having participated in two of the greatest events of the 20th century — World War II and the Apollo 11 manned space mission when the first humans in the history of mankind set foot upon the moon.

In October 1998, the ship was opened to the public as a museum moored at the former Naval Air Station Alameda (currently known as Alameda Point) on San Francisco Bay.

At the end of January I, along with those on my activity committee, planned a dinner and activity for all the women in our ward. We made the dinner (Cafe Rio salads), helped put together decor (with the help of table hostesses we had asked to participate) and did publicity, etc to get everyone there (all within a tight budget!). It seemed like a successful activity and now I'm in the thick of planning a Visiting Teaching Conference for all the ladies next week. We also have monthly activities that we facilitate on a smaller level. Like I said, it can be tiring, but all for a good purpose. As you can see from the picture below, whatever baby I have at the time (first Jonas, now Emma) is an honorary member of the presidency as they attend meetings, etc. and the other women are honorary grandmas to them. Holding them while I attend to responsibilities, bringing them special snacks to keep them happy while we deliver to less active sisters, etc. Last year for Lillian's birthday she said she told me she wanted a butterfly birthday and then named off a few friends her age then told me she also wanted Nan there (the one holding emma). Nan was so flattered and spoiled her with gifts on her special day. The kids ask "are your relief society ladies coming over?" if I tell them I have a meeting and were so nervous when the secretary was switched around last year and we had a new lady join the presidency. Again, I feel honored to be serving with these ladies and glad to serve the Lord as I fulfill my duties in my calling.