Minor Panic ATTACK!

I had one this morning on the way to work. I was thinking about how I had to go from work to a Dr's appt to a meeting about student teaching to class and then to another class... it made me nervous just thinking about it! I called Mom as I was driving and vented for a sec. (Thankfully she was available to chat, although her day was already in full swing, and she even offered some calming words :) ) She reminded me I like being busy, and as we chatted more I quoted a little saying I'd recently come across in my quote book: 'If you feel like you're in control you're not going fast enough!' Mario Andretti. Mom mentioned that this was your Senior yearbook quote, Rach! That made me smile too because I realized I'm not alone in having high goals and trying to make them happen. I like being busy even if it means an insane day here or there. Anyway, thanks you two!!

On Our Way Home - October

Hi Gang,

Nano and I had a new experience for General Conference this year. We got to experience it in Scotland where live conference is in the evening, 7 hours ahead of SLC.
Because of the travel schedule, I only saw one session live, thanks to Jord and Char's high speed internet connection. The talks that really stood out for me were the two on the love of God by Pres. Uchtdorf and Elder Oaks. I thought they complemented each other, and really showed the occupational background of the two speakers. Pres. Uchtdorf, as a former airline pilot, gives a lot of flying references and uses a flowery, ethereal style. Elder Oaks, as a former lawyer and judge, uses a disciplined, organized style, based heavily on eternal laws.
The message I got from these two talks was that love is central and intrinsic to everything we do in the gospel and in life. It is the motivation for what we do in the gospel. If we truly love God and our fellow beings, we will find joy in keeping the commandments and in doing service. Disobedience and sin will be painful to us. God loves us and wants to help us, but he is bound by eternal laws, as Elder Oaks explains. We have to follow the program. We have to knock before he can open the door. These are simple concepts, but they really struck me, and the Spirit spoke to me that they are true. I hope you all get a chance to read and ponder them. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on Conference, and any talks that stood out for you.
Luv, Gramps

Golf in Scotland

I'm really glad that when dad came to visit, he finally got to fulfil a lifelong dream and play golf in Scotland. On top of that, the day we played one of the best courses in the area, Cruden Bay, we were blessed with magnificent weather, which definitely made up for below average performances from both of us given that it was a very difficult course. Besides this course we also got to play the scenic highland course Ballater (mom posted some photos of Ballater last month), got rained out at another course in Aboyne (Goo & Rico will remember Aboyne for the Highland games we saw there) and then had the wind get the best of us as at Newmachar. We were meant to play at Newmachar in a highly touted father and son match against a friend from work and his dad until it became obvious that we were all up against gale force winds that pretty much changed the game from a competitive one to everyone just trying to survive against the wind! Here are some pics from Cruden Bay in what was overall a very good week of golf.

Guess Who's Rockin Mickey For Halloween?

Me! Should be fun. Caleb's Spider Man and Julian is Buzz Lightyear. The babies will be turtles and Melissa...what will Melissa be? I'll let her fill you in.

C'mon everyone, start flappin' your wings.....

The Chicken Dance is apart of my Saskachewan heritage. Elrose Saskachewan is where I spent my life as a little girl and I remember having a blast at the Elrose community dances. I think playing The Chicken Dance at every community dance was a by-law. This you tube link - (The chicken dance) - is pretty funny..... and informative if you are unacquainted with the complex dance manoeuvring of The Chicken Dance. Oliver and I have practised this dance for about a half an hour this morning....We are totally Lawrence Welk material.

How Jack Sees the World

I snapped this photo the last time I was in LA.
Thanks Jack for a reminder that there's always a new way to look at things!

Constitution

For about a year now I have been fretting about how I have to take this exam at school= the 'Constitution Exam.' It is a big multiple choice test = 125 questions, taken from the high school AP curriculum, and everyone who has had to prepare for it has been a little apprehensive. The test is to be sure we know enough to teach, and is about the development of the constitution, the institutions of government, and policy issues. I didn't spend a lot of time studying political science during my degree, and I haven't had a lot of extra time for this extra requirement, so I felt daunted. I tried the test last week and was just shy of a passing grade, so I had to retake it this week. I prayed hard and my roommate wished me well as I left to go take it. I was a lot more confident the second time, having studied a little more. The teacher who graded it called me as I drove home...

I passed the test with flying colors! Yay! What a relief to have that done. and I even learned a little more about how US laws are passed, how the government works, and about specific monumental court cases: Roe v Wade, Tinker v DesMoines. Maybe I can give informative answers to the questions my students will have! There is so much rich history in our country and I am excited that I am more familiar with it!