Ryan's a "HOT SHOT"

Now you may be wondering what a "hot shot" is! In wildland firefighting, a hotshot crew is a term for a 20-person hand team specially organized to travel from fire to fire across the country in remote areas as needed. So as if Ryan doesn't have enough excitement in his life, he has joined the ranks of firefighting! Spring break was an intense week of training for Ryan and 120 other men as they attended a special hotshot course in Prescott. Not only did Ryan officially graduate, but he was honored with the "Leadership and Integrity" award by the course instructors. There was a 29 year old man that has faced many challenges in his life and was struggling with learning all of the required materials. Ryan would attend class every day from 8 to 5 and then spend hours each night helping this man study and learn all that was necessary for him to graduate. This man ended up passing the course with a 76% and will be part of Ryan's team. Not only did Ryan receive the award but was given a scholarship that will cover the cost of equipment needed. Way to go Ryan!

Words to live by . . .

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley - I just LOVE this lady!

"Becoming"

I have the privilege of answering phones at the Mesa Arizona Temple. What a blessing this has been to me personally. Not only do I associate with celestial people and those of us who are becoming celestial, but most importantly, I am blessed to serve my Father in Heaven.

One of the most requested extensions is 358 which happens to be the prayer roll. Sometimes my heart just hurts for those calling in. I hear great emotion in their voices and silently pray that the righteous desires of their hearts may be granted. I am also blessed to speak briefly with those who are calling in to schedule their own endowments, perhaps for a mission call or for their own sealings. These are happy people coming to the temple for their first time, that I congratulate and pass onto the temple scheduler.

What a great opportunity to sit and study church doctrine. However, my most encouraging and inspiring moments happen as I answer phones and just watch people. I quietly admire those who attend regularly. You would be surprised at the same people who attend at the same time each week. Now these truly are patrons who are "becoming" celestial. I want to be counted among them!

This past week I answered an assignment to work in the laundry department. Boy howdy have I taken for granted many tasks that are performed in the temple each day. Someone sorts, washes, dries and folds every piece of clothing worn in the temple. Nothing is ever sorted out or worn twice. These are valiant saints who serve and perform these tasks day in and day out. What a warm feeling I received personally from the spirit as I realized that I too was caring for the sacred garments of the priesthood worn by saints who once again, were "becoming!"

"We love thy house, O God,
Where-in thine honor dwells.
The joy of thine abode
All earthly joy excels."

It's a "LOVE AFFAIR"

I am in LOVE with my new stick! Thats what its called and its made by Bissell.

Michael and Tessa bought me this cute little vacuum for Christmas and I absolutely LOVE it! Those of you that have been to my home know that I have tons of hard wood floor that is such a pain to keep clean. Now, I just get my little stick out and off I go! Its so light that it doesn't scratch the wood when I use it or hurt my back to vacuum with it! It makes life so much easier!

BTW - It will be much easier now because the doggies are GONE! More on this later!

THANKS MICHAEL AND TESSA!