Ward Change

Blaine wrote his monthly "Douglas Family Newsletter" this last week and I thought I could just use what he said, add a couple pictures, and catch everyone up on what we have been doing lately. So for the next few posts his words are italicized.

A couple of months ago Michelle and I felt prompted to change to another ward, so we made the switch to the ward right next to the temple. It's a little further away from our house but primary is all in English and that's where most every other American family attends. Our kids were beginning be discouraged and not wanting to go to church because they couldn't understand anything in our Spanish ward. So far it's been a very good change. We got confirmation that it was the right choice the second week we attended there, when Brinley came up to us after church and very excitedly started telling us about everything she learned in primary. That was something she had done in the 18 months we've been here. Another advantage of being in this ward is that it's the same building that the MTC missionaries attend. So we've been able to see Logan (Blaine's cousin)almost every week since he's been down here in the MTC. Michelle has already received a calling in the new ward as the 2nd counselor in the young women's presidency. She gave her first lesson a couple of weeks ago (in Spanish) and did an excellent job.

It has been great to be back in young womens. I had forgotten how fun it can be and how youthful it makes me feel to be running around with them. They recently returned from girls camp at Las Colinas, the church owned camp ground here. It was for all 5000 girls in the whole country!

I really got to love the kids in the primary while serving as the chorister. One of the girls caught my attention the very first Sunday and we have kind of been kindred spirits. Her name is Mishel Reyes. Blaine always told her that she was his favorite because she had the same name as his wife! We later found out that Mishel is her middle name and her first name is Lini. A lot like mine...Lani is my first name and Michelle my middle name.

It was difficult to leave our old ward, our old callings (Blaine was the first counselor in the bishopric), and the wonderful friends we have made but when your prayers are answered, you follow.