My First Train Ride

BNSF has a few passenger trains. Every year around this time they go to different cities and give rides to employees, their families, and some community groups. This is the first year they did it here since Ryan has been with the company. He wasn’t sure it was something we would want to do and so didn’t’ get tickets right away. By the time he had talked to me and tried to get tickets all the ones for Ft. Worth were gone. But we found out they were doing some out of Temple (just a little past Waco) so we got tickets for that. We got four tickets and so invited our friend Zane. Zane is the son of our good friends David and Billie – and he LOVES trains. Billie came too, so that was fun. We enjoyed having Zane along, first because he is just a pleasant and funny person to have along, but also because of his enthusiasm. They gave us snacks and drinks and stuff to entertain Zane. We had a good time and got to see little nice scenery as well.

We Love Our Garden

Every spring since we have been in our house we have planted our garden. We pretty much always plant tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumber, and then we fill the rest of our garden with whatever we feel like trying that year. This year we decided to try onions, broccoli, and purple cabbage - and they have all been very successful, which is amazing because we are not generally successful at our first tries. I have loved eating from our garden this year. But what I didn't know was how pretty these plants would be. I think our cabbage plants are especially pretty, but I also love the flowers that have grown from a couple of our onions.

Six Years and Counting

Ryan and I have now been married six years. Luckily for us, our anniversary fell on a Saturday. We went a little early to the temple, before our shift started, and did some sealings. I couldn’t say for certain, but I am pretty sure that every year around the time of our anniversary, if not the day of, we have done sealings. It is a nice way to remember our wedding day and the covenants we made. Doing them actually on our anniversary made them even more special for me. And it was a nice way to start our anniversary, and our day at the temple. After the temple we went to Blue Mesa Grill, one of our favorite restaurants, for dinner. Then we headed to the Omni Theater in the Ft. Worth Science and History museum to see the second Night at the Museum movie.

It may not be the way that everyone would choose to spend their anniversary, but it worked for us. We had a good time and have decided we will stick together for another year.

The roses Ryan gave me for our anniversary.

New Ward - New Callings

Ryan and I moved to Texas, to Burleson, two days after we got back from our honeymoon. That was in June of 2003. Although a year later we moved from our apartment to our house, we have been in the same ward the whole time. We love the Burleson Ward, it feels like family to us.

A few weeks ago when we were at church we were asked by the stake executive secretary to meet with the stake president later that day. We weren't terribly surprised since a couple people in our ward had made comments to Ryan about his "new calling" thinking he had already been called - but he hadn't and they weren't telling what the calling was. We had a couple guesses, but we were definitely wrong. When we went to talk to President Beesley that evening we were both stunned when he asked Ryan to be the second counselor in the bishopric of the singles ward. I was not surprised that Ryan would be considered for such a calling - he is worthy and very capable - I just hadn't ever thought about being in a singles ward again. President Beesley also asked if I would attend with him, so I said yes.

I have had mixed feelings about this. Ryan and I have loved being temple workers together, but as a bishopric member you are not allowed to be a temple worker, though you can still volunteer. Also, I love working in the nursery and will really miss my little kids. Finally, I we will miss the Burleson Ward. I love the people there and will miss seeing them weekly. But we are excited to work with the Singles. If I were single I am still young enough to be in the ward, and Ryan is just barely too old - so we feel like we will be able to connect with them pretty well. And singles wards always have a lot of activities so that will be fun.

Last Sunday, (a week after we received the call), Ryan's dad ordained him to be a high priest (kind of weird since we both still feel so young and don't even have kids yet). And then today was our first day in the single's ward. Ryan was sustained and went to sit on the stand, and I started my I don't know how long stretch of sitting by myself. After church President Beesley set Ryan apart. So now it is official. I think we will like being in the single's ward, a couple people have already introduced themselves to us and welcomed us to the ward, and even though it is a small ward, they all seem to really enjoy it. So, we have begun a new adventure.

Luke is home!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Luke was able to go home today! His heart seems to have healed and has been doing well. Thank you to everyone for all your prayers. We are especially grateful to our Heavenly Father for helping us find the problem in time, for the great doctors and nurses that helped Luke, and that he seems to be doing well. Thanks everyone!