* We officially have another teenager in the house! Ben turned 13 on Thursday (the 19th)! I think the best gift he got was when Grandma Vogt thought either August or Seth were playing a trick on her and pretending to be Ben (because Ben's voice was so low and she didn't believe it was him!). It wasn't until mom confirmed that she was indeed chatting with Ben that she believed it was him - haha!
* August and Seth attending the Missionary Prep class
* August and Seth went out on splits with the Missionaries
* Early morning workouts for dad
* Dad got extended a new calling - he is now the Young Men's President! They also added a 3rd counselor to the Presidency. He received a beautiful blessing when being set apart (see "Spiritually Speaking" below for more on that!)
* Mom attended a Surprise Party for 2 of her friends on Friday night
In Our Homeschool This Week...
* Aubrie is really taking off with her math skills... she has been very fascinated with multiplying and so mom has been teaching her some multiplication facts
* Daily Enrichments and family scripture study
* Continuation of the Creative Writing class for Ben and his independent novel writing
* I am amazing daily at how curious (especially the girls) are about the world around them and just having a thirst for knowledge!
* August and Seth are heading into their last 3 weeks of the college courses
* Nathan and mom have started a new read aloud for just the two of them... a Batman chapter book!
* Nathan LOVES learning about animals and likes to have books read to him about animals and watch educational shows about animals. This week he learned about the differences between Alligators and Crocodiles.
* Nathan is still coming along nicely with his Lively Letters and being able to identify alphabet letters in the world around him.
Kids Say (By Dad)...
After a workout at the Y with Shandy and the four little ones (Ben hates being grouped in the "little ones") we headed home. Shandy had Ben and Nathan and I had Aubrie and Lexi. I stopped off at Shoe Carnival to look for some cross-training shoes and the girls expected that they would be getting shoes, also, even though they are more than stocked for shoes. The girls kept pestering me for shoes even though I repeatedly told them that they did not need any new shoes. They quickly grew impatient with me when they thought I was taking too long. At one point, an exasperated Aubrie declared, "You're taking way too long in the mom and dad's section! We need to go to the kid's section!"
Spiritually Speaking (By Dad)...
This week I was released from my calling as the Priest Quorum Advisor (boys aged 16-18). For a few weeks, I've been feeling that I wouldn't be serving in that capacity much longer. There were no indications that I was going to be released, I just felt like it would happen. When Bishop Lund called me into his office and informed me I was being released, my heart sunk. I've really grown to love these boys the last year and a half. I've seen many of them transition from awkward kids into young men. I'm proud of these boys. What he said next stunned me. I was informed that I was being excommunicated from the church.
...Just Kidding. Thought our future posterity could use some humor.
What he said to me, did stun me, however. I was asked to be the Young Men President. I was not expecting that at all. The thought was a bit overwhelming. It's a big calling with a lot of responsibility - 45 boys, three counselors, a secretary, and five advisers. I thought for a few seconds and then I accepted. I take comfort in knowing that this is where the Lord wants me and I'll be doing what He wants me to. The Lord has a way of taking imperfect men and making them equal to his assignments. I know that I will be relying on Him a lot but then again, that's how we need to be going through life anyway.
Some of the things that were promised/counseled in my blessing:
* Heavenly Father has confidence in me and that I have much to contribute to the Young Men's program
* Through my faithfulness, obedience, testimony and life experiences I will fulfill my calling
* Rely upon the Holy Ghost
* Get to know the boys individually by name
* Hold regular Presidency meetings
* Heavenly Father and the Savior, along with the Bishopric, are concerned about the boys and their welfare
* Seek the Lords guidance when preparing lessons or extending assignements
* I'll be blessed with energy, strength, fortitude and be able to juggle work, family responsibilities and my church calling
* Listen to my wife. Love her and support her. She will have insight for me.
* I will be blessed with keen insight and to be observant - particularly to those preparing to serve a mission. I will know how to motivate them.
* Heavenly Father loves me.
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