Be Prepared in All Things

Saturday morning David went on a stake hike, and I decided it would be a good time to go use my Kohl's cash before it expired the next day.  I was feeling super energetic and got up, showered, went to Kohl's, and was home just before 9 am.  Just a few minutes after arriving home, the phone rang.  It was Bishop.  I knew that wasn't a good sign, because his daughter was to be baptized in just over an hour.  Why was he calling us???  He said he needed a favor - that he was at the church building and there was sewage backing up in the baptismal font, and wanted to know if they could use our pool for the baptism.  Being our stake primary baptism day, there were two more wards scheduled right behind theirs.  Then he asked if he could let the stake know that they could use our pool as well.  At first I thought he might be kidding, but he said he was serious.  Of course I said yes, and went into overdrive.  Good thing we had friends over the night before and the back yard was pretty much cleaned up.  It just had to be extra clean.  It was a baptism and all! 

He put notes on the church door to let people know (I'm sure there were a lot of phone calls as well).  He and his brother in law or some family member came over and got to work.  Eric woke up and looked out the window, comes out and asks, "Mom, why is the Bishop cleaning our pool in his church clothes?"  Yay, another volunteer!  Hired!!  Everything was done and David returned home just in time for the baptism to start. 

Before Hurdsmans were done, the next baptism was showing up here. We had the "staging area" in the house for the people for that baptism. After # 1 baptism finished, they went out the side gate and everyone came from the house went to the backyard. We did that for the next baptism as well. The mom and the daughter used the pool bath to change, the dad used the garage door opener and went around the side of the house and changed in my bathroom for all 3 baptisms. Baptism #2 had refreshments, and since Baptism #3 was going on in the backyard, refreshments were set up on the dining room table. They exited out the back, came in the front, grabbed refreshments, went back out front and visited out there. Baptism 1 had prob 50 people, #2 had 45, and #3 about 10-15. We opened the side window of the patio, moved the piano to have the sound go out there, and even used the pool speakers and played primary songs during the time they were all changing.  

It really was a cool experience.  It wasn't rushed after the initial clean up, and we really felt the spirit during the baptisms!  Everything went so smoothly.  Sometimes things just work out as they are meant to and when you heed the promptings you get those extra blessings.  I even made some new friends!!  haha 

I've been telling the Relief Society that we are to be prepared in all things (as they are wondering why our activity this week is on living trusts, burial plots, and house organization) :)  That is my newest mantra, because you never know when 100 people might show up your house at any given day.

10 Months

Last week we received a memory card from Troy.  It always lifts my spirits when I get to see pictures of him.  Lately he's had a few struggles and he's been venting a little bit more.  Not complaining, just telling us about the not so perfect life he's living.  Tonga really is a different world.  Life here is so fast paced and I think that's part of his challenge to acclamate to his new lfestyle.  I also think that Christmas was hard for him.  That seems to be when he started telling the little events that get to him.  But looking at his pictures makes me so happy.  Because he looks happy.  One of the comments on the slideshow said, "I know it is not always this wonderful, but this is the way he will remember it! He looks great! What an experience!"  He does look great!  He will remember the wonderful times with great fondness, and hopefully the not so wonderful times he won't remember much at all.  I can't believe he's been gone for 10 months, but then again, it seems like a lifetime ago he left.  I really miss that kid.  (BTW, if you want to see the slideshow, click on Troy's Blog on the right.)

Becky gave a talk in church at stake conference and talked about Hannah giving her son to the Lord.  She likened it to how a mother must feel when she sends her son on a mission.  It was funny, because when Troy left, I wrote one of those sappy letters to him, and said the same exact thing!  I felt like Hannah, but lucky me, I only have to give him up for 2 years!  I will never regret teaching my children that this is what they're supposed to do.  Because I know this will mold them into better men, husbands, fathers, and church leaders.  I also hope that I send another one out in the next few months.  Not having him go will be harder than having him gone, because I know if he chooses not to go, he will regret it for the rest of his life.  He will miss those powerful experiences that a young man serving God completely for two years will only be blessed with.  As Troy recently wrote, "I will never regret my decision to go on a mission".  That's a great thing to hear, even when life isn't perfect.  But look at his face.  He truly is happy.

January 19th

was the birthday of this awesome missionary! Not sure what day it is in Tonga, hopefully it's still the 19th?

No matter, Happy Birthday Elder Prescott ~

we are so proud of you!! Keep up the good work.

EVENING OUT

Last weekend we loaded up the family (in two cars because we no longer fit in one) & headed to a cute little Italian Resturant in North Park to hear our good family friend sing. It was so fun to get out with the family & join good friends to listen to the awesome voice of a talented teenager! I've heard her sing before but it has been a while (years in fact!) & she has certainly become less shy. She's got a beautiful sultry voice. I won't be surprised if she eventually ends up on the radio! But not only does she sing, but she plays the guitar & piano as well! Such a talented young woman.... Thanks to her parents for inviting us for an exciting evening out!!

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Sunday I ended up with a cold, and since there are rumors of me going inactive, I got dressed and ready to go to church.   David told me I should stay home, so I did.  I guess it was a good thing, but really, how many weeks can a girl miss and not be labeled as "inactive"??  Well one good friend noticed my absence again and called me on Monday to see how I was.  Immediately when she heard my voice, or lack thereof, she said she was going to make chicken soup for us. 

As we were eating dinner, David commented, "This is REALLY good soup".  Eric replied, "Yeah, I think this is the best dinner we've eaten at this table".  Thanks, guys!!! 

I have to admit, the soup was super delicious and full of flavor.  When I told my friend about these comments, she felt pretty darn good, too.  So her kindness made a lot of people feel great!  I have a few friends who are sick now, too, but I will do you all a favor and NOT make you dinner:)  Thanks to my friend for being so kind.  I won't give her name up because I know there'll be a long line at her door, but really, most people probably know who the mystery chef is anyway!

New Years Resolutions/Pet Peeves

I've decided that I need to blog more.... I complain about other people not keeping up their blogs, but yet I am not any better. Anyone who knows me very well knows that I have many pet peeves (majority have to do with other people's driving, but there are a few other random things that bug me)ha ha... anyway, I digress. So instead of complaning, I am going to use my pet peeve as my new years resolution. I am trying to become a better person, you know - so I'm probably not going about it exactly how I should - but regardless I plan on posting more on this blog... so prepare!

I don't have a lot of time... you know I am a mom, wife, full time employee, & seminary teacher so don't expect much! Hopefully I will improve in my writing skills? Something good has to come from this! Ha!! Feel free to leave comments (I've noticed no one does anymore). Maybe that just means no one reads this? so if that is the case I won't be too worried about my spelling or the content of this blog. (J/K)

Other Prescott family members are still more than welcome to add their own posts. (PLEASE DO!!) The more the merrier! Enjoy.

November & December Happenings

Sorry these pictures are backwards, so start from the bottom & work your way up. :)









November & December are filled with family birthdays. Dee Dee, David & Jamey are all in November (each about a week apart). Then December starts off with Simon, Kevin & ends with Noah (just before New Years).

In between all of the December birthdays we were able to celebrate the return of our missionary (Zak). Yeah!

We were also able to attend the temple for the first time as a family (along with some of our ward members & friends) to do baptisms for the dead. We also attended our annual Prescott family Christmas party - always a good time. We did miss Joy & Max (Grandma & Grandpa) but we know that they are happy in New York serving a mission.

The last (first) picture is of our family on Christmas day at the Langston family Christmas party.

All & all, this holiday season was a wonderful one for our family. We hope it was a great time for your family as well.