St. Francis "Branch"

It's happening again. The northernmost members of the Anoka Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are hereby invited to attend Sacrament meeting and Gospel Essentials class at our home! This probably seems like an odd invitation and I'm here to tell you that it wasn't that Monte and I took it upon ourselves to have services at home so we wouldn't have to drive into Anoka. This is something that our bishop decided last February might be a good experiment. It was fairly successful so we have been asked to do this again. It was great fun last year. We moved the furniture in the basement and set up about 20 chairs, Monte built a fire in the wood burning stove, and we set up music and all the other props. We called on the members who attended to contribute with prayers, testimonies, talks, and of course the appropriate ordinances performed.

We are all ready to do it again (well, I wouldn't say ALL ready) but I get to teach the Gospel Essentials class (I think that's what Monte called it - I get confused because I keep hearing it referred to Principles, Essentials, Basics ...) Whatever, I get to do it and I'm excited about that too. I don't exactly remember from last year whether the week we started was also conference week but that is what is happening at my house. I will work from 8 am to approximately 8 PM 4 days in the next week. Add to that that the middle schools are holding meetings to "transition" 5th grade special ed students to 6th grade which is middle school here, and this all means late nights, LOTS of paperwork, and some stressfull (even tearful) meetings. Middle school is as hard on the parents as it is on the kids. On Tuesday I went to bed grumping at my poor husband about how I'm NEVER going to be able to make our house presentable. By Thursday I had come to the conclusion that the Lord planned it this way. We'll do what we can and the rest is up to Him. This way I HAVE to prioritize and make it about His message not my pride. The best part about the whole thing is that a Sacrament meeting in the intimate setting of a person's home strengthens those feelings of love and welcome. That is what is the most important part of it to me. The Gospel is about people not places. I'm grateful we have a home that can accommodate such an experience and I pray everyone will feel welcome and loved. See you there!

Check in/Check up

Just a quick check in for anyone wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth. Rumors of my untimely demise are greatly exaggerated. I had a rough weekend. By Thursday at 3:30 arthritis in my foot hurt so bad I couldn't put any weight on it and driving a manual transmission vehicle home was an adventure in torment but I made it. Friday I took the day off work and spent it in bed, contacting doctors and feeling sorry for myself. Saturday was a little better. Monte presented me with a big stick to lean on so I could get around the house a little bit. I've always wanted my very own wizard's staff. I'm keeping it - I can think of LOTS of uses for a big stick (a variety of quotes come to mind). We collaborated on the laundry. Monte did the hauling and I did the folding. I couldn't make it to church on Sunday - just couldn't walk that far and this makes the second Sunday in a row that RA has kept me from going to church. I hate that - I REALLY don't like to give myself an out; it is too easy for me to start making excuses and in the end I feel worse after missing a Sunday, but I really was in no shape. Monday I spent milking it a little because I didn't have to work anyway and I was happy for the extra day to baby myself. Clint and Serena came and cheered me up- bringing some really stellar cookies. The upside is that I have further proof from this that my husband is a gem. He cooks! He even cleaned and brought me stuff - and built a fire in the fireplace. What a lucky woman I am!! I'm pain free today - WooHoo! I'm still going to the doctor on Friday.

Favorite People and Unsung Heroes

Awhile ago I blogged about mothers and I left a few people out. I need to talk just a little about one of the great blessings in my life. I am blessed with several mothers. The lady in the picture is my father's wife, Diane. Technically she is my "step-mom" and I always refer to her as Diane instead of Mom. This is to avoid confusion not because I don't consider her my mom - she is. A mom is someone who takes care of you, rejoices with you, worries about you, knows when you are hurting, forgives you when you are obnoxious, and most of all teaches you. These are all things Diane has done for me. Diane is a "kindred heart" for me because we share many common interests. She taught me to sew and to love it. She loves to read, like I do, and we often share favorite authors. Diane is the one who makes sure I get family history info and pictures. Think about what a great blessing it is for me to know that my children live within a 30 minute drive of 2 grandmothers and one grandfather who would do just about anything for them if they were in need of help. We are all a pretty independent lot and sometimes don't call or see each other for months at a time but my dad and mom in Bountiful are always understanding. If you are reading this, Diane, thanks, and I love you.

I titled this blog favorite people and unsung heroes, so I'm not finished yet with people who should be recognized and frequently aren't - mothers-in-law. Like step-parents, mothers-in-law get a raw deal. I've been blessed with 2 genuine precious gems. I'll begin with Monte's mother, my current mother in law. Anna Mae has the sweetest, most generous heart of anyone I know. She is the matriarch of a family of headstrong, opinionated, amazing people. One thing that will never be in short supply at an Oelkers family gathering and that is different points of view. Anna Mae binds it all together. It takes confidence and competence to be a part of the Oelkers family. Maybe some of that came from Monte's dad but I have to say that Anna Mae has taught these people to know their own value and to share it with others. Anna's my mom, too. But best of all I consider her my friend. I could hope as much for my daughter and son-in-law.

Last in the "mom" lineup I'll recognize my first mother-in-law. I was 18 when I married my first husband and I was probably a real pain as a daughter-in-law. I cringe when I remember what a moody, anti-social little turd I could be. Wanza was REALLY patient with me, even when we moved in with her for 5 months! Wanza was always close by. She was the kind of person I could feel comfortable asking for advice and she gave it straight from the hip without any judgement. She taught me to love flowers because she had a beautiful garden in a postage stamp sized lot. Wanza passed away a few years ago. I hadn't seen her or spoken to her for years but I still think about her sometimes. She is missed.