Relief Society Meeting

I loved listening to the General Relief Society meeting last night. Darla and I sat and watched it in her basement. My favorite part was when Julie Beck announced that all meetings to deal with Relief Society will be called a "Relief Society Meeting" or whatever your Ward wants to call it. That is a major change!!!!! A history making moment!!!!! I got a little chuckle out of that as I'm sure all Relief Society Sisters did. Really what is there in a name. That was very nice of them that they just gave the Wards back more power to act on how they want to run their meetings. I felt the main purpose of the meeting was to show how important the Lord thinks that Visiting Teaching is. I just got totally new visiting teachers and a new visiting teacher partner and am anxious to visit them, but will also miss visiting my old sisters. This meeting was like a shot in the arm (by the way I got my flu shot last week and it's still is a little sore). I want to have a whole new change of attitude. I loved it when one of the women spoke and said if the brethren felt that everyone needed to hear the Relief Society message that they would just have it read over the pulpit. I really never thought of it that way. The messages each month are just a tool and incentive to help you do your visiting teaching. We are really just a tool in Heavenly Fathers hand to bring about Charity to all.

Book Review - My Sister's Keeper

This was the latest book we read for our book club. It's about 2 sisters, one that had a rare form
of cancer and the other that was born to mainly keep the sister with cancer alive because she was genetically a perfect donor match. It brought up a lot of questions about what was morally right and wrong. The donor sister took her parents to court because she didn't want to donate her kidney. I enjoyed reading the book and it had a real twisty ending. I missed seeing the movie but hear it's at the Dollar Theater and that it's a real tear jercker. Another reason why I was so interested in reading this book was because it showed the tremendous hardship that cancer can cause. Just recently I have had 3 people I know get cancer. Our Bishop, my nephew, and my friends brother. That's just within the last couple months. Each dealing with it the best they can. I'm so thankful that our Bishop felt back to normal for the first time today!!. He and his wife are such a great example of having a positive attitude and strong faith in the Lord that can get them through anything.

Enjoyed the Journey

Today was my last day teaching in Young Women. After 8 years I finally got released from Young Women. I remember when I got called Kenzie was only 6 years old and I would have to drag her to the activities. I served as a Beehive Counselor and Mia Maid Advisor. Several times as Ward Camp director and Rick and I were Ma and Pa on the Pioneer Trek. I loved every minute serving with the great leaders ( I think I served under 4 Young Women Presidents: Marisa, Sarah, Diane H. and Nettie) and all the beautiful Young Women in our ward. It's been an incredible journey and I've learned so much. I am now going to be a teacher in the Relief Society and a Activity Day Leader with the younger girls. It won't be too much different in the amount of time I spend teaching and doing the activities.

Pine Hike - Oak Creek Trail Head/Hardscrabble Rd.

We went on a hike up by Payson on Saturday. Danny and Lachelle invited us along. Rick got up early and rode his bike up to Rye which is about 60 miles from our house. We picked him up and drove on into Payson and ate breakfast at McDonalds. It felt so nice to be up in the nice cool Pine Air. The high that day was in the low 70's.

Grampa let Carson sneak a sip of his drink. He's already spoiling him.
Grampa's helping Carson get his hiking legs warmed up.
He likes it!! Carson just started walking on his own about 2 weeks ago.
This trail starts on a downhill for about 2 miles. It's called the Oak Creek Trail. When you get to Pine you turn left on Hardscrabble Road for about 1.8 miles. We only saw one other couple with their 3 dogs coming back out.
Bentley was such a good hiker for his first hike. We had him off the leash and he stayed right with us. We were in the shade most of the hike. Lots of nice big Oak Trees and a dry creek bed to follow. The only wild animal we saw was a giant centipede. It looked ferocious! I'm always looking out for a bear or two they are my worst nightmare along with snakes.
Carson enjoying a little rest and snack.
Kenzie had a good time too. I was proud she got up early on a Saturday and went. She led most of the way.
This is Danny and Lachelle's 3rd hike they've done with Carson. It's such a fun family activity.
The clouds were building up and we could see lighting in the distance so it was a good thing we were done. We just got a sprinkling of rain on our way back through Payson. But Danny stayed to feed Carson lunch and said it was raining and hailing on them at Taco Bell.

Remember 9/11

Derek showed me this church video I thought was a positive outlook on 9/11 Go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWc_EKLs4E

I remember seeing the actual footage as it was happening. I was up early at the gym working out
on the stair stepper and I was watching the news on the TV in front of me and watching the Twin Tower burning and then another plane crashing into it not thinking that it was a terrorist act at first but an accident and not even believing what I was seeing. It was like a bad dream that was played over and over again. Our country has completely changed because of that one terrorist act.
Our freedom that we once had and felt was taken away and we will never be the same. It was a very weird feeling having all the planes grounded and not seeing a plane in the sky. I loved how Americans would fly the American Flag everywhere, cars homes, businesses. Our country didn't crumble but maybe made stronger (hopefully).

All Grown Up

These are my boys all grown up; Jon, Michael, Rick, Derek and Danny. It's was Michael's Birthday yesterday and we all met him for lunch at Yoko's.
Michael was born with a smile on his face and has brought us a lot of fun and joy through the years. He's very creative and got the artistic gene that's in my family (that past over me). He is 24 yrs. old and lives on his own in Jon's Condo with a friend. He works for US Airways and goes to school at MCC full time. He went on a mission to Brazil (Belo Horizonte) and loves to fly all over the country playing in video game tournaments. Just a few month's ago he got hit by a drunk driver in his car and totaled the car but luckily came away with only a stiff neck.

Jon only got half his face in the above picture so we took another of him.Michael is really glad Derek is home and they've started riding bikes together with Jon and Rick. I know Michael doesn't read my blog but maybe he'll read this. Happy Birthday and many more to come. We sure love you.

Derek's Homecoming Talk Sunday

This morning Derek reported to the Stake High Council. He did a good job reporting about his mission to the council. We had to get there at 7:30 a.m. That meant I had to get up at 4:30 to get everything ready to be there on time. Good thing I don't mind getting up early.
Derek gave a fantastic talk in sacrament, I was really impressed and the spirit
was so strong. I also played my violin in a quartet for the musical number. I was a little
flustered at first until I found the right string. I couldn't figure out what I was doing and why
I sounded so terrible. I was pretty panic stricken for a few measures until I found out my mistake. That is exactly the reason why I don't like to play the violin in public. Afterward family and friends gathered at the house for a "brunch"
since it was only 10:00 a.m. This is Carson standing on his own. Just this week he
learned how to walk without holding big people's hands!!
This is Nathan, Zach and Emily all showing off their pearly whites! They love posing for the camera. I just love these kids. Thanks Emily and Jeff and Marilyn , Shawn and Jane for coming
out to our inferno of heat from So. Cal.
More cheesy smiles from Ashley and Nathan.
These are the "Birthday Boys", Shawn's birthday was today and Michael's is tomorrow!! I made Anna's delicious Cherry Chocolate Cake.
It was a great day and thank you everyone for coming and making it so special!!

Mission Accomplished

Back from London safe and sound. He looks so good and happy and a lot more grown up than when he left, more polite and spiritual. Missions are the greatest experience in the world. You give up two years of your life to serve the Lord. Such an unselfish thing to do. I commend everyone that's been on a mission. Derek says he's gained 15 lbs. but I don't see it. Anyway he's out on the bike riding with Rick. We went on our Epic Ride last Saturday, Rick, me, Jon, Derek and Michael. Rode 24 miles and it was the first time we had all done that and it was fabulous.
Michael made this sign "Frooks" is his nickname for Derek.Michael on the left then Nate Hatfield and Cameron Fumichello came to the airport to welcome him home.
Danny and Lachelle snaping pictures.Big hug from older brother Danny.Kenzie had changed the most.Welcome home signs on the house.
So excited to be home and see the dogs.We had delicious dinner waiting for friends and family. BBQ Meatballs, Hawaiian Rolls Ham Sandwhiches, Brucelini (rolled steaks), fruit salad, pasta salad, layered bean dip, cookies and cup cakes. It's so good to have him home. The first morning home he got up early and went to the 6 a.m. session at the temple. (Couldn't sleep - still on London time) Since he's been home he's talked to old companions, his mission Pres. called from Washington D.C., he's gone clothes shopping, been to the dentist, and eye doctor, visited MCC to look into school, organized his room. There's so much to do. Dereks Homecoming talk will be Sept. 13th at the 8:30 a.m.
sacrament meeting.

Backyard Banana's

This is the first year I've actually gotten banana's off of my banana plant. I bought the plant at
Home Depot a couple of years ago and just planted it for a lark. It's been growing out in the secret garden very slowly.
And then this year it just took off and started sprouting runners and now banana's. I think come
spring I'll go back to Home Depot and buy a few more. Maybe I'll have to rename it my "secret jungle". They are really a lot of fun and don't require much work. I planted mine next to a wall on the north side so it gets some shade and it gets irrigation water plus drip system water twice a week. Now I'll just have to keep the "poachers"(Kenzie and Michael) off of them till they ripen.
Oh by the way It's Raining tonight for the second time in a row. It smells so good and cools it down just a tad. We'll take whatever we can get. Thank You Lord.

Derek's Last Mission Letter

Derek comes home from London this Thursday. He said he got a flat tire on his last day on the job. The picture below is him sending off his companion who was leaving to go home. I thought I'd share his last email to you. I'm a little sad that I won't be getting any more mission letters they have been really inspiring. But we're anxious to have him back. JOB WELL DONE ELDER GREEN!!! We sure love you. Derek's homecoming talk will be Sept. 13th at 8:30 a.m.

hello there. i had a really cool and fulfilling experience this past week which i would like to share. so as you know i served in aylesbury a year ago and that was fantastic. this past week i went on my final work over there. i was with an amazing elder named elder hatch and he has been doing amazing work there. a lot of the people i started to teach are now being baptized. but there were two experiences that i loved. last year my companion and i stopped this 17 year old indian girl named sasini and we went to see her and took her out teaching. my goodness she is one of the strongest investigators i have ever seen and now shes preparing tho be baptized onthe 12 of december. its so far out because her parents wont allow her to be baptized until shes 18. that wasnt the cool experience, though it was great to see. one that i will remember happened on wed night. i was on a split with a member, named abraham from sri lion, and 6 appointments fell through in the space of a couple of hours. poor elder hatch was frantically trying to work something out but he couldnt get anything. he had an appointment which left us with a 1/2 an hour to spare, but we werent just going to give up so we prayed. i asked Heavenly Father to let us use this time the most effective way. a simple prayer, but as i did so a vivid memory came into my mind so clear that i couldnt deny it being the spirit. i remembered tracting a street last year with elder smith, and we knocked on this african mans door. i dont remember what i said but i remember the spirit i felt. we never got to teach him then so i knew we had to see him now. i found the door with no problem and at 8:30 at night we knocked. he was the only one in and i asked him if he remembered me, but he didnt. then we proceeded to talk for 20 minutes about the book of mormon and abraham was doing likewise. he accepted the book of momron, told a time to come back, and we left. Now to you that may seem normal but the spirit that was there sunk deep in his heart. 2 nephi 33:1 took place. leaving his home i couldnt heple but just smile because i know that the lord is in this work. he is leading it and i have been his instrument, though rusty at times, for these past two years. my mission has changed my life. im a so greatful for the tender mercies the Lord has showered down upon me. i dont feel worthy to have been the recipient to all these blessings because there are so many. i wish that i could stay here for another year but i would sin in my wish, for i should be content with the things the Lord hath allotted unto me. i am very content indeed. the goals that i wanted to accomplish on my mission have been fulfilled and now im ready to end. thank you for all of the letters of support youve given me. you dont realize how important they were to me in the beginning of my mission. i love you mom and family and hope to see you smiling when i get home.

love
Elder Derek Thomas Green

Missing Cheerio

Where did my Cheerio go.....
Aa-ha...there it is! Lachelle sent these pictures to me yesterday, it was priceless and I just
had to post it. He will be 11 months old this Thursday. Speaking of Thursday...DEREK comes
home YEPEE!!!!!!!