Wrinkle Weekend

There was just so much I was smiling at/over this weekend that I'm sure my wrinkles have increased. I thoroughly enjoyed my activities and have a very grateful heart and that feels good.

I was blessed to be in the Mesa Temple to see dears Myrna and James Z. and their recently adopted 5 children sealed to them for eternity. Wow, a forever family. What a privilege to witness such a sacred and awesome event. I'm so happy for them...and still smiling.

I was thrilled and motivated by my attendance at the General Relief Society Broadcast. It was actually held on Saturday in SLC, Utah but our stake taped it and then rebroadcast it on Sunday for our attendance-I think hoping that more sisters will come and participate on a Sunday evening. There were many multi generational families of woman at my stake center. I was a bit envious and wished my girls, sisters and nieces were living close by and we too could attend arm-in-arm but I reminded myself that no matter where we were in attendance, we were together and the tears flowed again and the smile wrinkles were back. I can't tell you how much I love this woman's organization in our church. To be part of something that teaches, inspires and gives me tremendous opportunities for growth, development, education, spirituality and service is unparalleled. I was fortunate to know "someone" who was very kind and gave me a copy of the broadcast so let me know if you want to borrow it...yes, I know you can find it on the internet and eventually get a copy of the talks but I do love watching it on the tellie. There were times during the talks and musical numbers that I cried, smiled (more of the good wrinkles) and though I didn't I wanted to stand up and cheer, saying something like "I get it" or "Yes!". There is such wonderful diversity in the Relief Society Presidency pictured above.

Julie Beck- (middle) President: As a child she learned to speak Portuguese when she lived in Brazil with her parents and 10 brothers and sisters while her father served as mission president.

Silvia H. Allred (left, 1st Counselor) is a native of El Salvador and mother of 8 children.

Barbara Thompson (right, 2nd Counselor), an unmarried sister who most recently has been working as the executive director of an international assessment center for abused and neglected children.

I've posted fuller bios at Butte-iful Sisters if you want more interesting facts about these great gals.

I also got to help provide refreshments for the evening and put together a few recipes to create a coconut cookie. At the risk of sounding boastful, and I don't want to be, you just might want to get the recipe off Knight's In The Kitchen and make these. Soooo good.

I smiled when I caught a young lizard in the family room and transplanted it outside under the bushes. I love my lizards and am always glad when they don't drop their tails, as they can do to escape harm, when I catch them. It's creepy to see a dropped tail wiggling by itself.

I smiled as I went through some of my summer Oregon pictures and chose this one as a backdrop for my computer screen. I took the photo at the Portland Oregon Temple. It's fabulous full size. It really makes me smile.

I'm wishing you all find many smilables in your day!!