Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

We had some wonderful talks in sacrament meeting today, but I missed the end of a really good talk because we got there just as the meeting started, so we were in the folding chairs in the back. It's almost impossible to be quiet enough back there. The chairs are loud when they scoot on the floor or if you tap them in any way. The kids slide on them and fall through the back. Dress shoes make a ton of noise when you're walking on a gym floor. Every noise echos just a bit. Anyway, we ended up in the foyer for the last bit because it was so noisy, but the kids weren't being bad. It really wasn't their fault. Usually if we have to take them out of sacrament meeting, it's because they were naughty. If they're naughty enough that we have to take them out, we go home and put them down for naps instead of letting them go to primary or nursery. Because they love primary and nursery, this is a HUGE blow to them. Thus, they are usually really good in sacrament meeting! Today was no exception, despite ending up in the foyer.

We then went to Sunday school. Jason and I co-teach the 16 and 17-year-olds. We also have some 18-year-olds that like our class and stay until they leave on their missions, go to college, or join the military. Today, Jason had prepared a lesson about not judging unrighteously. It was such a good lesson! I think we really got through to them, which is such a good feeling. This has been my favorite calling for a few reasons:
1) I get to teach with Jason! This has been our first calling together since we were married!

2) The kids are old enough that we can really talk to them like adults and have some indepth, wonderful discussions.
3) Our Sunday school presidency is really supportive, which makes our job a lot easier.
4) Not only are the kids old enough to dig into the lessons, they are also wonderful kids. We are sincerely invested in their struggles and their triumphs. (This is also a little scary, because I would hate to say/teach something that doesn't apply to them or that might make them question some fragile testimonies. It's hard to care so much! This reminds me of a line from the book The Elite by Kiera Cass: "Love is beautiful fear." In this calling, we really rely on the Lord for inspiration and guidance. These wonderful teens have so much potential, and only the Lord knows the best way to bring out the most potential in them.)
In our lesson about not judging, we showed an amazing video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZdeZNawppk

Watch it. You won't be disappointed. When that baby cries, my heart does also.

Relief Society was also amazing, as always. We talked about missionary work, which is a favorite subject of mine since my mission. When I was a Relief Society teacher, I taught this topic about 6 times I think, which was great, and I don't think it was completely coincidence even though I wasn't picking the topics. We have such a great ward. They're always there, stepping in and helping out in little ways, above and beyond the call of duty. When we started telling people that we were looking to adopt, so many people came out of the woodwork to share their stories, give us tips, and just plain support us. We have people in this ward that have done foster care, have adopted, are looking to adopt, etc. It's really been a wonderful way to connect to some wonderful people.

We came home, ate lunch, and put the kids down for some quiet time. Jason went to choir practice. I know I've mentioned that he sings really well, but I can't say it enough. I love listening to him. Then my visiting teachers stopped in. They're the best visiting teachers I've ever had. They're just there for me and genuinely concerned, which feels great to be so loved.

We then had some friends over to share dinner. (They're also looking to adopt!) We had some wonderful deer chops, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and carrots. It was good! We then played games, checked out the kids' cardboard fort in the extra room (since our friends hadn't seen it yet), talked, played with the boys, etc. Tonight the games were Word on the Street and Gunrunners. Fun times!

Now I'm off to discuss a section of the New Testament with Jason. We are reading the entire New Testament in segments, a little each day, and discussing it. It's been really cool to answer each other's questions and become closer in Christ. This is such a good way to end a good day. :)