Priest

Jim was ordained a priest yesterday in church.

Wow he is not so much my little boy anymore.

Jims birthday

Well, we got up friday morning and after breakfast, Jim, Echo, and I went to town.

First stop, the drivers license bureau. Jim was able to get his unrestricted license. now that he is 16, he can drive after 10 pm without an adult. Echo was able to get her driving permit, she can drive with a parent in the car.

then a quick stop at the bank.

then since in South Dakota a 16 year old can give blood, Jim wanted to give blood on his birthday. I heard about a blood drive - that just happend to be happening on Jims birthday - where for every pint of blood was donated one of the local grocery stores was qoing to donate a pound of food and coca-cola was going to donate a sixpack of soda to the local food bank- so for Jims birthday we went to give blood all the ladies at the registration table thought it was so awesome for someone to do that for his birthday. My iron was to low, and Echo sat with us, and waited.

then the kids took Toms car out to plankinton to pick up tom and jp. (they drove the company car to work) and I went to work.

It was a good day, and I think Jim had a birthday to remember.

He started his first job today, he will be working as a janitors assistant at our school this summer. He enjoyed it, and thought it was neat that the Janitor told him he was a good worker.

What a good son I have, I am proud of the Young Man he is becoming.

JIM

Happy Birthday Jim!!!

We love you!!!

This is our summer

This has been a quiet summer so far. But I think that is about over.

Tom did not pass his EPPP. He is going to take a few days to adjust. and then get back to studying.

Last weekend Jim and Echo went to Youth Confernce. the theme was "The power of one" they both enjoyed it.

Next weekend there is a girls camp certification overniter. Carie, Echo and I get to go to this. we are going to do the certification now, so that they will be on track next year as this year there will not be a traditional girls camp. instead they are having a "Dakota Encampment" with all the lds girls aged 12-18 who live in the dakotas. they will have a week at one of the universities. A member of the YW general presidency and a few other special guests, and other activites similar with a youth conference. I am very excited for them.

On friday of this week is Jims Birthday, He wants to give blood, (which in SD can happen if the parent is present.) we will also be taking Echo with us so that they can both get new drivers licenses. Jim will get an unrestricted license. and Echo will get her restricted one.

We have a swimming pass again but it is to cold so far for the pool to open everyday. My kids are looking forward to being able to go everyday again, and the younger ones are looking forward to swimming lessons.

We are looking forward to Mike and Niki and their family coming to visit over the fourth of July.

Katie and Carie are both in softball this summer.

I am working part time at walmart.

EPPP

Well I took the EPPP this morning. I feel very good about my performance on this test this time. I will get the official results in a week or so. I hope to be able to sit for the oral boards the middle of June. This is where I am probably strongest (people tell me I talk a lot). Thank you for all of the prayers, positive thoughts, and encouraging words. This time I did not have the same issues as last time. I felt like I understood all of the questions even if I did not definitively know the correct answer. I left the testing center today feeling calm and collected. I know I will feel some anxiety this week, but I expect it to be less this time as well. I could feel the help of the spirit while studying for and taking this test. During my preparation for this I received a blessing from my home teacher (also a psychologist who is preparing for the EPPP) and was asked by the father of one of the families that Jim and I home teach (our Elder's Quorum President and my home teacher) for a Priesthood blessing to help prepare for this same test. While thoroughly understanding a situation is not required to give an effective Priesthood blessing, sometimes it can help make the blessing more meaningful (lesson here is get to know those families that you home teach. I was also set apart as the Young Men's President last Sunday and the Branch President, as part of the blessing, mentioned my test. I also know that there have been many who have added me to their prayers. I want to say again thank you, without the Lord's help I couldn't have done any of this. Without your help I couldn't have made it here to this point either. Thank you. -- Drew

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