The People

So I've given you a run down of the place we are living. Now lets talk about the people.
Sorry, not lots of pictures for this one . . .none actually :)

SO the people. Can I just say WOW!!! Seriously!

I have had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some amazing people in my life, in every place we have ever lived, but never before have a seen so many of them in one place! The people are generous and hard working and kind and dedicated!

Most of my experience with the people here has been through the church. Outside my neighbors I haven't really met a lot of other people yet. Meeting people and making friends is a challenge of mine. I don't have the gift of friendly unfortunately. It makes transition more difficult, but I'm working on it. But that aside, I am more amazed everyday by the people here!

They work hard in all their callings at church no matter what the calling is. This ward functions like I have never seen before!

The bishop is amazing! A good ole Idaho boy. He is so great with the youth and so on it with them! Interviews and bishop youth discussions, firesides, quorum presidency meetings. He expects the youth to step up and be leaders then gives them opportunities to do it and be held accountable . . .amazing!

The teachers of the classes are amazing! SO much insight and knowledge! They are all so willing to do a little more and be a little better.

One lady invites all the youth to her home one Sunday a month to teach them how to do family history. NOT because it is her calling, just because she wants to. This lady is my age! She has four kids she home schools and is a very active tennis player and reader AND is a Sunday school teacher AND works in relief society too . . .amazing!

One lady, after we met, decided to take it upon herself to stock us up with every baby item we would need to bring baby number six home. We had gotten rid of EVERY baby item we owned before deciding . . ."Hey we want another one" So starting out at ground zero with the move a mortgage and rent and utilities and and and. Their family is done having babies and she generously gave us pretty much everything but the crib! I did offer to buy the stuff from her, several times, nope just pass it along to the next person who needs it . . .amazing!
Another one dropped off a huge bin of maternity clothes. All are perfect for summer and will have me set for the 3 months I will need something for a giant belly and hot weather . . .amazing!

Another guy coordinated a missionary effort to go out and visit every member on the roll who they didn't know. Then volunteered to cook an authentic meal from his home country (can't remember) for all those who participated . . .amazing!

The ward mission leader organizes a "Meet the Mormons" night once a month, AND it is really well attended every time! . . .amazing!!!

The primary emails monthly newsletters and weekly reminders if your kids have talks, the Relief society sends out an email recap of the lessons every week and a monthly newsletter. They are in contact about visiting teaching all . the. time! The scout people email often. They have plans and follow through and the programs run great! There are 20+ girls in the activity girls program (8-11 year olds) they have a fun meeting and activity twice a month like clock work! The youth program is HUGE! Just last weekend they hosted a priest/laurel (16-18 year olds) PROM! There were A LOT of youth in attendance! They have trek and scout camp and girls camp and dances, and tons of youth that show up and participate and help make it great . . . it's all amazing! I can not tell you how excited I am that my kids get to be a part of all this!

They are involved in the community too! Operation Sandwich and the Back Pack Service project are all things headed up from our ward!

Not that other wards and areas I've been in haven't had this too but you'd just have to see and experience the level these people take it to! AND they LOVE IT and they are happy and sooooo willing to just do and serve where ever needed! And it's not just the younger generation. The older people are some of the most amazing, hard workers in the church I have ever seen! There is NO "Been there, done that, let the young ones have a go" attitude among them! I have heard on multiple occasions from different people "Now that we are empty nesters, its time to step it up!" and "What can I do to share my experience and knowledge with this younger generation" . . .AMAZING!!!!

I've just highlighted a few people but trust me 95% of them are all just like it! I sat in on Jilli's primary class one Sunday, that teacher did SUCH a fantastic job with those little kids, AND had just had a round of radiation/chemotherapy the DAY before . . . WHAT!!!! She is younger then me! with two tiny boys of her own . . .AMAZING!!!!

The very first Sunday we were here we went to our new ward and were surprised to learn that they would be announcing new ward boundaries throughout the stake. The second Sunday we went to our new, new ward, only for  sacrament meeting because all or most of the callings were vacant because of the ward redistricting. Before the third Sunday Terry was called as the Young Men's president and I was called as the course 12 teacher for Sunday School (I teach the 12 year olds during the second hour of church) SO on the third Sunday they read our records into the ward (even though everyone was new) and then sustained Terry and I in our new callings, then the next Sunday we were asked to give talks!!! IT was a bit of a ride that first month!  It's been smooth sailing since then.
We feel very blessed to be a part of this and to get to be in association with such an AMAZING group of people!