Is it fall yet?

I know the calendar says that it's Conference weekend, but it sure doesn't seem like it here. It was 90 degrees yesterday and Katelyn is working on her swim team tan in an outdoor pool. The swim season lasts until the second week in December! Isn't that strange? All of the usual things that remind me fall is coming have not seemed to come this year.

But, it truly is Conference weekend. Brandon will be turning 12 in just two weeks, so he decided he would like to go to his first Priesthood session with his Dad. Don't the two of them look handsome? Soon I'll have two men with the priesthood in my home.

Yesterday we went with about eight other moms and their kids on a field trip to Muir Woods. School was out for the day, so the "ward family" went out together. Somebody asked if we were from a school, there were so many kids.

We had a good time and enjoyed some beautiful surroundings and great company. The LDS families here seem to be so strong. The youth are so kind to each other and seem to cling to the other LDS youth in the ward.

These are the Deacons and Beehives. These great moms organize events like these to keep the youth close and encourage them to support each other in school. They really do seem like brothers and sisters to each other. Brandon already knows them all because of the play they are all working on.

Last week the Bishop's son gave his farewell address before leaving on his mission. I witnessed the most amazing tradition after the Sacrament Meeting was over. The ward choir came up and began singing "Go Ye Now in Peace" (Brian and I got to sing too because we have started rehearsing with them--they are amazing). Then, the song ended with "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" and the entire ward stood and sang it. There wasn't a dry eye in the whole chapel. It's like they were all saying to him, we have helped raise you and prepare you for this special time, we love you like you are our own son, and we will be praying for you. I have never seen anything like it. You could feel an intensity of love for him and for each other. This is a very special ward. We are happy to be a part of something so genuine and real.

I have to say, though, that we have an ache in our hearts for what we left behind. We miss our friends and family at home so much. We were looking through some pictures and saw the pictures we took of our house. That is home to us still. It will probably take a while to start calling this place "home." But, we are happy here. I feel like we are supposed to be here and that brings comfort and peace. My prayers are with all of you at home. :)