Almost the end of an era or so we hear...

 On Sunday after church, someone told me that Jake's release was coming very soon and the next bishop had been chosen. He also said that the next bishop would have large shoes to fill and when Jake is released there will be a void in the ward.  I went in to the linger longer and quietly told Jake.  That evening he told me that when I told him it made him very sad.  While, we know there are able men in the ward, whom would magnify the calling, Jake serving as bishop has blessed our lives and has made him a better man. Last night, I asked him what he thought it meant to preside and he said to watch over.  To preside is to love and serve and I have been blessed first hand to watch that man do exactly that, love and serve. I would hope the ward has felt his love and the love of the Savior through him. His capacity to love has been magnified.  There are countless times I have seen him pray for those he presides and lose sleep over them.

After the linger longer, he mentioned it to his counselors and both did not want it to happen and expressed how great of a thing they have going on.  I texted them that evening and expressed my gratitude for them serving and loving my Jake and that part of the reason I think he finds so much joy in the calling is because of those whom he serves with.  Here are there responses: "I have actually been pretty sad all afternoon. Kinda wish no one would have said anything. Ha! This has actually been the most I have every enjoyed serving in the church and I have learned more about counseling in a presidency from the bishop than at any other time while serving in the church. So, yeah, the feeling is mutual." (Ricky Packard) and "For me it is such a privilege to be able to love, sustain, support, and be friends with your Jake. Which I will side with your Renee' is the best Jake! The love that that man has is right up there next to the love of the Savior. I learn so much and enjoy so much being able to serve with these men. It does make me sad. But oh how grateful I am to have the opportunity to serve with such spiritual giants and disciples of Jesus Christ! Absolutely the feeling is mutual!".  As if my words do not speak enough of the love Jake has for those he presides over, these do.  

I have learned that being bishop is a family calling.  You have sacrifice time, activities, and meals but the rewards are so much higher. It is a time in our lives that I would not change and would repeat.   I would tell Jake when he would apologize at times for needing to leave that things can wait, we are in the people business and to be there for the people.  Now, when the time comes, maybe he will be able to finish some of those started projects that are not yet done.  

Speaking in Memphis 1st ward- Ginny

 Ginny is speaking in another unit this morning because Jake asked her too. Our ward supplies speakers for another unit once a month and he asked her and a friend to go this month. Memphis 1st is very small, I’d say about 40 people. As I watched the brethren pass the sacrament, my heart as full of happiness. Only two men pass the sacrament and as I watched, I noticed the young man (probably mid-20’s) took the cups out and handed them to the young toddlers. My heart was happy as I saw the goodness of others. He was patient with the little ones and the mom sitting with four young kids and helped her and them. It was sweet. 

Ginny spoke on the deep, deep love of Christ. She started about Mary Magdeline, who was full of demons, and became a follower of Christ. She spoke of when Christ appeared to her and she thought it was a gardener and how often does Christ show up in our lives and we may think it’s someone or something else. Next she told the story of Peter the doubts but then trusting. She also spoke of Peter denying the Christ and how often we may betray Christ by choosing something over him.  Judas was last and how Christ still loves him and will most likely embrace him in the next life and still call him friend. Ginny shared a story of when she felt low and was rambling to God and after she got quiet, she felt Him speak to her. She said “To be loved is to be known. And the Savior knows us. Christ radically changes people because He radically loved them.” Our job is to love and make people feel seen. 

Aubree's wisdom teeth, Cow Day, & FSY week

 On Friday, August 10th, Aubree had her wisdom teeth removed and boy is she something on anesthesia. We had a few good laughs. She was terrified in the car thinking I was driving too fast (not even 20mph), sang about loving America, shared over and over how she loves Jesus and He her, and called members of our family scripture people, pending on how it aligned with what she wanted.  Her dad was Laman, Lamuel, and Alma the Younger because he told her to rest. 

The boys left for FSY on 7/13 and come back home tomorrow.  I had prayed this week for both of their testimonies of the Savior to increase and for Will to have a stronger desire to get on his mission. Jake, Ginny, and I attended the temple last night and I said a silent prayer for the same thing.  Last night as I climber into bed, Will called (which he has not been doing this week) and told me that he wanted to get on his mission and that he felt the Spirit so strongly yesterday.  Christopher also called and texted the following last night: "Today I learned that Christ is beside me. He is with me on my bad and good days. He is there to hug me when I am down. He is there to let me lean on his shoulder when things are too hard. He is there to carry me when I tried my best and it did not work out. He is there when I need a friend. I will accept His hugs. I will accept his shoulder. I will accept His strength to carry me. I will accept His friendship. I will accept Christ.  I know everyone can accept Him whenever, no matter he past because I know He loves us. My prayers are answered."  Yes, Christopher my prayers are answered too. This morning as I was driving to work, I thanked my Heavenly Father that it has been a good week for my boys and my eyes watered a touch.  Then at work, I received the following text from Will and sobbed with gratitude: "My testimony has been strengthened so much. I know now that I want to go on my mission as soon as possible. The thing that helped me the most this week was testimony meeting hearing all the beautiful testimonies. I love you."  Aubree also sent me a screenshot of his social media post.  I am so grateful that it has been a good week for my boys where they have felt love and accepted.  Both have seemed to love their groups.  Thank you to those who served there and invited the Spirit. 

Tuesday was also Cow Day, where you can dress up like a cow and get an free entree (sandwich, nuggets, or kids meal) from Chick-Fil-A.  I managed to get 5 orders and Jake and Ginny also did it one day, although they still bought stuff too.  It was fun to laugh about. 

Last night after the temple, I told Jake that we have been blessed that our children are not just covenant makers but covenant keepers thus far in their lives.  I pray it always stays that way and they surround themselves with other covenant keepers to make it a touch easier.  While I know we made several mistakes parenting, I choose to believe that maybe we made a few good choices too or focused on some of the right things.   

Happy 250th America

 We are not a perfect nation but we are a nation of freedoms and that it worth celebrating.  Freedom comes with a price and I am grateful for those men and women who serve or whom have served to give this liberty to us. Our family met Chris's family in DC for the 4th, along with hundreds of thousands of other people for a non-political celebration of our country and military branches.  It was crazy. On the 4th, we made it through security and were seated on the front of the non-reserved bleachers watching the flyovers (which had been going on all day to enjoy) when were told to evacuate for severe weather.  We grabbed a quick dinner but remained nearby to try to get back in in the event it re-opened but were unsuccessful when it re-opened after waiting for an hour.  However, we were still able to sit outside and hear things, and watch the fireworks. Members of the military provided the music, veterans were honored, and the military honored before the fireworks. While there were frustrations: the crowd (hundreds of thousands so the line was long and tight), heat, and being able to get back in, it was an event to remember. While the fly-overs and fireworks were spectacular, my best memories (aside from my family) will be seeing the good in humanity: passing our water in the heat, sharing fans, and after the evacuation, walking down the street and and seeing/hearing a large group (guessing 100ish) break out in "God Bless America" with many others joining in. God Bless America, land that I love. Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy and the beauty of this world. 

Girls drove to Knoxville a couple days before and hung out

The Washington Monument was lit up each night with a short show, showcasing parts of our history. 

No words.....

Arlington Cemetery headed to the tomb of the unknown

Aubree and Callie

The girls got up early on the morning of the 4th to participate in the Relay for America (the flag was ran from San Francisco to the Capital). The ran the last segment (3-4 miles, I believe)

Before the evacuation

Blowing time before the gates open, found shade and watched the fly overs.

And we are evacuating

Elle Kate's Wedding in Boise

On Wednesday 6/24, after I got off work, Christopher and I headed to Paris TN to drive up with Sandra the next day to Kuna ID. We left for Kuna a little before 3:00am and drove straight through, it was about 26-27 hours. We slept for about an hour and then in an effort to stay out of the way, we rode with my dad to James's house to borrow a car.  Christopher and I went to the Boise temple and did baptisms together, to Dessert book, to Wazoo, where we met cousins and played fr over 4 hours, and then back to Michaels.  Christopher was invited to go with the guys to Top Golf and he loved it. You can see how genuinely happy he was. 

 

 

Dad, Owen, Riley, Jackson Stevens (Elle's soon to be husband), Jack, Christopher, Michael, & James

 The wedding day (Saturday 6/27) was busy.  The sealing occurred in the Meridian Idaho temple.  We had a little time to blow before the luncheon so we went to Costco with my sisters.  As I was parking Ginny called and told me she was thinking about moving to College Station.  I was very encouraging but hung up the phone and shed a tear or two.  She expressed that there was not much left for her in Tennessee.  I think it makes she and Aubree a little sad that younger cousins are starting to marry.  I want nothing more for my kids to each find an eternal companion that makes them happy....maybe College Station will provide that opportunity for Bug.  As I watched Elle beaming throughout the day, I wanted it even more for my girls.  I pray often for my children's spouses to strengthen their relationship with God and for them to find one another. 

Back row: Riley Dilgard, Jack Eaton, & Elijah Adamson Front Row: Miles A, Clark A, Charlie D, Johnny D, & Nolan A 

Nana, Christopher, & Papa

Christoper and James

The Original 6 Eaton kids: Rebekah Dickey, Michael Eaton, Charity Hughes, Me, Sandra Adamson, James Eaton

After the luncheon, Christoper and I took a few of the cousins to the Meridian Temple and they did baptisms.  The reception was the most beautiful I have ever seen.  I ended up getting sick after it and had to pull over driving back to the hotel.  Charity could not have been more empathetic.  She took her sons new shirt and was trying to clean up and help me.

Me, Sandra, Mom, Charity, and Becky

Chloe (3/5 of Michael's) and I

Madelynn Adamson, Annie Eaton (James 3/4), and Izzy Dilgard

The reception ended with many jumping the pool. 

 

Michael & Amy Eaton and Kara & James Eaton

The next day, we had lunch and Michael's and then dinner at James's house that evening. Each time I am with my family there are moments, I feel a little crazy and frustrated, but more than that moments I miss all being together more often. It is bittersweet when we have to say good-byes. Somehow that evening, we convinced Riley, Jack, and Christopher to re-create some old photos.  We had a great laugh about it. 

While Christopher and I were in Idaho, Jake went to Texas to help his brother build a paragula thing. I was glad for him to help but was a touch sad that he was not with me.  We decided for him to not go to save the money but in the end, I think it would've been about the same after he drove to Texas.