Sunday, May 31, 2009

"Extreme Makeover" Youth Conference Style

I was super lucky this weekend and got to be a leader at youth conference. It is always a privilage and so much fun to spend time with the youth of the stake. We gathered at the Live Oak Christmas Tree Farm. Set up our tents...and yes, Paul had to come and set up ours because I was not having great success. Brother Brice and his helpers provided a great meal as always. We had 3 speakers. One was on faith. How you have to have faith to overcome trials and to have faith that things can be "madeover." The next speaker was very powerful, she spoke on sharing. Sharing your wonderful self with others, opening your mouth and sharing the gospel, sharing the peace and the power that comes because of the gospel. And the 3rd was a man that is a plastic surgeon. He spoke of how he gets patients that have actually gone through the make-over process BEFORE they come to him. Many of his patients loose over a 100 pounds and they come to him to get the stretched out skin taken off. But he let us know that they have already made the important changes in the way the live their lives. And that is what we need to do...make ourselves over...make improvements that will be life long changes and not quick fixes. I am grateful for the powerful messages these wonderful people shared with us.

Next was a dance under the stars. It was lots of fun for most. One boy finally danced with a girl that he has admired for 2 years...they are both seniors and this was pretty much his last chance before they go to college. The photographer got a great picture and so that moment has been caputred forever. There are always those at the stake dances that have a good time no matter what..they make it great for themselves and those around them. Then there are those that expect people to make it great for them. And there are others who will not have a good time no matter what. I feel sad for those kids....where ever you go, have a good time, be happy, be the kind of person people want to be around. I had a fun time watching these kids interact, be kind to eachother and just have a good time.

We all slept in tents, had breakfast, we all had on our lime green extreme makeover shirts on and off we went into Redlands to do service. We layed sprinklers, pulled out trees, cleaned up some orange groves, layed 5500 sq ft of sod, played bingo with the elderly, painted playground equipement, and on and on. These kids worked hard. We ate lunch at a park, and then back to finish all the service. When all was done we headed back to the farm to eat dinner, have a testimony meeting and finish things up with a slide show. It was wonderful to see these youth being so supportive of eachother, to cheer eachother on, to be strengthened by eachother and to see testimonies grow. The gospel is so beautiful. I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. I also feel blessed that Kellie didn't complain...because they put her in my family. She could have easily demanded a switch, but she went with it and had a good time. I am super grateful my girls don't mind me being around.

Another highlight of the weekend is having Holly, Caleb and Jack come from Utah. Having Shelley, Rick and Jett come from Pasadena. And to see every one enjoy eachother. It will feel complete when Julie comes June 10th. To cap off this great weekend Carlie graduated from seminary Sunday night. She was part of the choir and also sang in a quartet and did a great job.

Monday, May 25, 2009

New fence & Blessings

This weekend has been full of blessings. Friday we had boys show up from the ages of 15 to 83 help tear down our fence. Watching them work was wonderful! I was trying hard to not be 'a girl' and start crying. These guys showed up happy and ready to work. They got down to business and the job was done in 2 hours, including cementing the new posts and the clean up. A wonderful man lent his work truck to haul the old fence to the dump. Johnny and Micheal stayed for a few hours and hung out with Paul and I. We took them to El Burrito! We sat outside and talked about all kinds of stuff. It was great fun.

Saturday morning Kellie and I woke up to get things ready for more guys to come. We had watermelon, donuts and lots of icy water bottles. The weather was perfect. Paul and Carlie spent the morning at the Bishop's storehouse fullfilling our wards youth assignment. Men came from the ages of 8 to 83 and the fence was up in a few hours....and it looks great. The posts for the new patio cover were put into place and that project will be done in a week or so.

The fence looks great and the men did such a great job. The best part for me was watching these men having a great time working with eachother.

Paul and I spent today putting the raspberries back into place, cleaning up the old bricks, mowing the lawn, and then sat in the back yard enjoying the cool breeze, watching Henry (a hawk that lives in the big tree across the street) in his tree and enjoying the smell of Jasmine. This weekend has been full of blessings. And how great on this weekend when we honor the people who have made it possible for us to live in this beautiful free land.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Julie is the BEST...



And I was about to go on about how incredible I am, but I think I'll dedicate this blog post to the lady who started it all, my MOMMY! Joelle Walker Chatfield is one of the greatest women I know, and I count myself one of the five luckiest girls in the whole world to get to have her as a mommy. She's always been a great example to me, and I love her with all my heart! So to all you readers out there, please make a comment about a special memory you have with my mom. Here's mine:
One day several years ago, my mom and I spent the day chilling at Downtown Disney. We walked around looking in stores, and had dinner at the Jungle Cafe. Nothing too extravagant or eventful, but I remember it as one of my best days. Thanks Mom!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

25 years ago we didn't look this old.



My sister Wendy and I helped my mom celebrate her 70th birthday, and what better place then Disneyland. We spent 2 days there and had a great time. We stayed the night at the Candy Cane Inn which is right next to D-land. We had a fun and relaxed time. Looking at the pictures however...these are not the faces I see in my minds eye when I think of me, Wendy and my mom. My minds-eye sees the faces of these girls when we lived together 25 years ago. I am very gratrful that we are still here together regardless of age (and wrinkles). What a great life we have.


Speaking of the minds-eye image. I had a friend find me on Facebook. He was in my ward (and no I never dated him) when I was a youth. He had the coolest hair and looked like a surfer guy. He and his parents were always super great to me. Since he has found me we have chatted a bit. Weird that this teenage boy (in my mind) has 8 kids, been a Bishop twice, owns a home and has very little hair. I'm not really feeling old, it's just weird to see every one else looking old. Because of this new fb connection I have conneted with a few of my other youth friends....even Micheal Jackson. Fun times!!

So here is to OLD friends and relatives!!

And always remember the motto: It is better to be any age then in the box.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Tred Mill


A blog post is usually more interesting with a photo. This is Kellie and I at CA Adventure during our mid-week get away.

I just wanted to let you know that I have gone back to the tred mill. I ran 2 miles yesterday and 2 today. Thank heavens for my Ipod and Advil. It is the only way I am able to run. My modivation....my 25th wedding anniversary is in 2 months, I am a grandma and want to be one for along time, and the snowman look is way out of fashion. My goal is to continue to walk 4 miles in the morning with Aunt Janie while seminary is in session and come home and get right on the tred mill. I will have to change my routine in June when seminary is over. Wish me luck!!