31 Years!

On August 23rd 31 years ago, the day I was sealed to my love and best friend, I thought I knew what love was. In the years that have come and gone since then, through all the events in life, I have grown to love him more deeply than words can express. He has supported me through thick and thin. He gave me the opportunity to be at home and raise my children. He has shouldered heavy burdens and still has a smile at the end of the day. He is the one I love the most in this world and I am so blessed to be his wife. I love you Jeff Elder!!!!

On a Lighter Note:)

Each morning I take Panda for a walk. She lives for this! Really! As soon as I wake up, she follows me around staring at me and I know she is thinking, "When is she going to put her shoes on?! Please, please, please let it be soon!"
But I too have grown to love these walks. It's not to exercise my body but to clear and refresh my mind. I walk the same path almost every day. I go along the canal and down Wheadon lane. It's like walking in the country. I took some pictures today to share the peaceful scene.
The house is my friend Judy's. It is like taking a step back in time. I could just look at the chairs and the tire swing and go back to summers when I was young. Good memories!

Love Hurts!!

So after my post last week this one might seem strange but here goes. Most people who know me fairly well know that I am a compulsive cleaner. If there is a spot on the tile-I wipe it up, if there is a stain on the stove, I get out the Soft Scrub with Bleach. My kids will tell you that when they were younger, I would get upset at them if they made footprints in the carpet I just vacuumed-that's probably true.
But last week some of my kids and all of my grandkids left the state of Utah. My Michigans went back to Michigan. And my Provoians moved to Texas-Texans. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I have cried and eaten, eaten and cried. Nothing seems to take the pain away. But-I have this one reminder that I will keep for a while-small little handprints on my mirror and back door. I'm not getting the Windex or paper towels out-I'm loving thinking about those small ones and the love I have for them:)

One of the Best Weeks of My Life

This past week has been crazy and crazy good. Everyone in my family-minus Russ-was here for Scott and Emily's wedding. I have to say that the time together with my kids and grandkids was heaven. We were able to spend hours together eating, boating, slip and sliding, walking, going to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house, with the week's highlight being together in the Draper Temple for Scott and Emily's wedding. My family is my greatest treasure. I love them all to my very soul. We may be spread apart but we are all together in spirit.

It's back!

This is just a simple joy. When I was in high school and the first few years of college, Estee Lauder made this fragrance called Aliage. It is my favorite. Yesterday, while looking for a dress to wear to Scott and Emily's wedding (that is another story-hours of looking with no success-but I know I will prevail) I saw it at the Estee Lauder counter when passing. I was so excited that I bought a bottle-or thought I did. Turns out I bought "Azuree"-what in the world! How disappointing! The sales clerk must have misunderstood. But I will take it back and get Aliage. Don't you love when something you love is gone and then comes back again. This is just a small example of that.

The Long Road Home

I do not often navigate the blog world, but since Lisa was gone to a shower for Emily, I decided to work on my church calling. For some random reason, I decided to check out our blog to see what Lisa might be communicating with her world.

I love her with all my heart. I know her pain. This is a difficult time for her. She is an amazing woman. As you all know, she gives her heart and soul to everything she does. She loves people and has an incredible love for the Young Women and Leaders of the Parkway 1st Ward. This release has been very difficult. In a lot of ways it is like a funeral.

There is no way to describe the loss of a loved one. You can not fill the void...nor do you want to. I have come to understand that the void that is created by the loss, represents the love that was created by and for that person. The sadness and heart break that Lisa is feeling represents the incredible love that she has for these young women and young women leaders. This part of her life seems like it has gone...but it really has not. Just as death does not stop the life of a person, nor does change. It is the gift of change that allows us to find the deeper meanings in life. Our struggles with change bring us closer to God.

I am anxious to have Lisa join me in the Young Adult ward. She will not fill the voids created from no longer being associated with her Young Women family. I am excited for the Young Adult ward to experience her love, her laughter, and her engaging personality. There are over 300 young adults that are going to be blessed by the incredible woman that she is. Like you, I am blessed every day to feel her love.

Jeff

Released :(

I was released from my calling as YW President this past Sunday. I must say that I am SO SAD about it. I love these girls and will miss them!! I will also miss all the talented, giving women that I worked with and loved. We worked hard and well together. Each had her own talents and used them to benefit the whole. I sat down and wrote this poem for them as a token of my love and gratitude for each and every one.

LABOR of LOVE

“Give your heart in service”

A simple little phrase.

But the rigors of the doing

Are an entirely different case.

Time in prayer, on bended knee,

Up late at night concerned.

Will they recognize who they are.

How long before they'll learn.

They're daughters of God sent at this time,

Saved for “such a time as this”,

To prepare the world for His return

All evil to resist.

Good shepherds guide them along

Acting for the Savior in this way.

“Keep them safe”, He calls to them,

“So in my arms they'll stay”.

You gave your heart, your soul, your love,

This precious work to do.

You've touched their hearts and made them strong

They're better because of you.

Your selfless service given with love

Is recognized by Him

“Well done thou faithful servant,

Come now and enter in.”