Webkinz

Katie and I both got webkinz for our birthday. does anyone else out there have webkinz? Will you be our friend? Will you give us hints on how to play it?
Lillian

New Job

Well I am not the new Executive Director for Aurora Plains Academy. That went to the former Clinical Director. In related news, I am not the new Clinical Director either. That went to the therapist that I presonally recruited to APA, I guess I really am a good judge of potential. This is a little disheartening , but I do know that the Lord had his hand in this. The corporate big wigs stated that they believe that I have more value as a psychologist than an administrator, which means that they didn't want to have to give me a raise and pay for my replacement. The corporate vice president talked to me and started to outline what there plans for me are, which includes the opportunity to make substancial amounts of money. I don't think that they understand that , while money is nice, it's not all about the money. I am hoping for the best for our new leadership and I will continue to do my job and improve in my service delivery.

On a happier note Jim is running in the JV Regional Meet today. My prayers are with him, and any who read this I would ask to take a moment and speak to the Lord on his behalf. This makes me think of the prayer of the special olympian "Dear God, Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt." Amen to that.

Drew

Update

For any interested, I still haven't heard about the job that I applied for. I have been told that the vice president is comming out next week, and I was told that was a good sign. Please if you add this to your prayers, ask that those who make this decision will be led by the spirit to make the choice that will fulfill the Lord's purpose. Our kids here at APA really need his help.

Also I retest on the 27th of May. Please include this in your prayers because I really need the help of the Lord to accomplish this. I missed the required score last time by about 1-1 1/2 questions. That would have given me a score of 70% I am trying for a 75%. The higher score is not only enough to pass in South Dakota but would also allow me to license in Utah should the desire and the opportunity to return there strike at the same time. Again I am trying dilligently to hear and follow the counsel of the Lord, which is not always something I have been good at. Thank you all for you kind words and thoughts, and all of the prayers on my behalf, and that of my family. I really do love you all. Thanks,

Drew

Katie

Happy Birthday Katie Girl. You're already 10 years old. We love you.

Mom and Dad

In the "leafy treetops"?

Today I had to be at work at 7 A.M. It was kind of gloomy as rain was predicted. but as I walked into work I heard the birds chirping. It was very cheering. I very much enjoyed listening to it. the chirping is louder in the front of the store. yes, Walmart has birds and while they live in the lofty rafters, not the treetops, it is fun. They even bring grass and leaves in from outside to build their nests. I am sure the birds are the bane of the maintenance crews existence as it is their job to take out the nests. but I do enjoy listening to them. I think it is also fun to side with the children of shoppers as they are trying to convince their parents that they did too see a bird.

P.S. Toms new test date for his EPPP is May 27.

Apology

I just wanted to apologize for leaving the Covey's off of my list of service members both Preston and Uncle Wix served in the military (USN and USA respectively). I also need to appologize to my cousin Kristin Veare (her maiden name) she and her husband both served in the Navy as medics. Any other oversights are unintentional as well but if there are readers out there know anyone not included one this list (again these are all people who I know personally) please comment to let me know. -- Drew

Service

Yesterday Jim and I had a very interesting opportunity. The eldest member of our branch passed away last week. While I didn't know Bro. Probst very well, I did know that he was always pleasant andusually telling jokes. I was unaware that he had been in the military. Yesterday I learned a lot about this special man. Because many in his family were also elderly the branch was asked to provide pall bearers as well as giving prayers and the eulogy. He apparently was the only member of the LDS church in his family. Jim and I were both pall bearers and I was asked to give the opening prayer. I learned about this man from the lovr that was shown for him by those in attendance. I was honored to be able to serve and even more so when I learned that as a young man Bro. Probst served as a scout/sniper in the US Marines on Guadelcanal (2 Bronze Stars, Presidential Unit Citation). It made me think of Grandpa Hugo and Grandpa Everett and their service in that same theatre. I then thought of my father's service in the far east and the service of my good friends and brothers-in-law and their service in the Middle East. In our local cemetary everyone is burried facing South, except for veterans who are all burried facing the flag. The local VFW gave the 21 gun salute while Taps and the presentation of the flag was performed by a contingent of a locally based unit of the National Guard. Again, I felt very honored to have played a part in this service. I also wanted to express my appreciation to all those who have served our country at the peril of their own life. That is everyone who has served in the military whether or not they have seen combat. When one of Jim's teachers asked why he was so set on serving in the Army they only reply I had to give was that service to our country is a family tradition. They looked at me a little strange so I listed those that I knew that had performed this service to whom Jim is related:(in no particular order)
Paul Wilkinson Tsgt. Ret USAF Viet Nam (USA)
Emily Hugo, USAF
Mark F Everett, USA WWII
Leroy Hugo, USA WWII
William N Christensen, USMC
William N Christensen II, USAF
Richard Graham, Ltc Ret. USA
Frank Thomas Wilkinson Sr., ANG CCC
Frank Thomas Wilkinson Jr., USAF
Evan Eric Wilkinson, USAF
Leroy A Trujillo, USA
Jerry Cox, USA Korea
Dave Thornton, USA WWII
Dick Thornton, USA WWII
Harry Thornton, USN
Andrew J Kirby, USN WWII
Mikel Hugo, Maj. USA
Brian Mack, Maj. USA
Preston Covey, USN
Wix Covey, USA (Viet Nam)(Thank you Aunt Alice for the reminder and the new information. I think it is important to remember all who served.)

These are only family members of ours that I have known personally who have served our country in this way. I think that this qualifies as a family tradition. Thank you all. Drew