Called to Serve ... Again!

A couple of weeks ago Sister Hon, our amazing Relief Society President, came to me and told me some both sad and exciting news. Her and her husband would be moving to Conroe for a job promotion. I am very excited for them and this opportunity! But, I was the 1st counselor in Relief Society and immediately thought "Oh No!!!" My panic got to only last for about 10 minutes before the Bishop saw me and said those dreaded words, "Can I talk to you?" Yep, my first fears came true! I was asked if I would serve as the Relief Society President of the Galveston, TX ward. I have never been so tempted to say "No" before. I in no way felt adequate for the calling. I have a hard enough time keeping up with everything that I already had to do, let alone all of the responsibilities that come from this calling. But, my answer was, "If that's what the Lord wants." After all, He must know something that I don't! Fortunately and unfortunately last weekend was General Conference. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful messages received by our church leaders. I desperately needed them! But it also made my anxiety go higher having to wait another week! Yikes!
And then, to top off all of my anxiety, David got a phone call lastnight from the Stake Executive Secretary asking him to meet with the Stake Presidency this morning. Panic really set in! After all, Brother Hon was in the Bishopric! Thankfully, (yet very sadly) another family is moving from our ward soon and so David will be taking over as the Ward Clerk. Phew! I can handle that one! Sunday mornings will be very interesting from now on though! David will have meetings starting at 6:30 am and I will have them twice a month at 7:30 am. Poor Lydia.
We were both set apart for our callings today. David received some incredible blessings in his! I know that if he continues to live righteously and prepares for his Boards exam, he will do very well and will be able to get a good residency in radiology. I too am very thankful for my blessing in getting set apart. I am amazed at how much my anxiety has decreased and how much more strength and peace I feel since receiving this Mantle. I know that the Lord will be by my side as I work to serve the Sisters in the Galveston Ward. I feel like I am serving another mission. This one will be more challenging in ways that my full-time one was. But, just like the full-time one, I am on the Lord's errand and will be helping His precious children return to Him in glory.
I appreciate everyone's love a support they have given me thus far. Thank you. I will definitely continue needing it.

Oh! And a quick and exciting note! Lydia signed/said "Jesus" for the first time when my counselors were getting set apart! She saw a picture of Jesus on the wall, pointed to it and then said/signed "Jesus"! I've been trying to teach her this for a long time and am so excited that she caught on! Hooray! I'm sure she thinks all pictures are Jesus right now, but we're on to a good start! Such a smart little lady! We sure do love her!

To Lydia at 14 months

Dear Sweet Lydia,

Originally I wasn't going to write you letters monthly during your second year of life, but with so many new developments I have decided to continue every other month. You are still my little baby girl, but you sure are growing fast! You are quickly becoming a toddler, and your attitude is proving it! You have quite the personality all packaged into a little body. We have done several fun things these past couple of months, including your first rodeo, Mardi Gras parade, a couple of visits to Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's and your first time on a horse! You loved all of them, well, except the parade. But you love playing with all the beads you acquired! Some of your developments include (but are not limited to):
*Climbing onto whatever furniture you can get your chubby leg on. Luckily you are also fairly good at going back down!
*Opening all the drawers within your reach. This has caused the next step of baby proofing in your bedroom (taping the drawers closed on all of our storage bins kept in your bedroom).
*You love playing with stickers! You love putting them on you and taking them off and sticking them wherever you can. Unfortunately this also means stickers always stuck to the bottom of our feet as we walk around the apartment!
*You respond to simple commands, such as getting your shoes, picking up a toy we point at, and coming to us when we ask.
*You have learned the sign for "more" (in your own way). You point to your other hand rather than touching all of your fingers together.
*We have caught you saying several words, but you aren't quite repeating them yet. I am pretty sure you said "horse" the other day. And your other common ones are "mom", "daddy", "shoes", "bye bye", and "hello".
*(My favorite one) You give us kisses! It's really more like a lick, but it's sweet all the same!

I know I haven't named everything new you do now, but these are a few that stand out to me. I love watching you learn and grow! You are teaching me so much! Most of all, to put aside the work once in a while and just play. I love you so much and am so excited to share this time with you! Thank you for choosing to come to our family!

love,
Momma

Riding the carousel at Morgan's Wonderland

Playing dress up with Daddy

The petting zoo at the Rodeo

Sorting your finds at the rodeo

It's Bluebonnet season again!

Horseback riding!