Relief Society/Organist

For all of my adult life, I have either been the Ward Organist or in some capacity in Relief Society. As we have moved to Avon, Indiana, I am now in the Relief Society Presidency and an assistant Ward Organist.

As an assistant Ward Organist I play the 1st Sunday of every month. This is a good calling for me, because then I keep up on my playing. It is so fun to pick out the hymns for the next 6 months.

In Relief Society, I am over Education. We are having the Worldwide Leadership training on Saturday morning and will receive new manuals. As I have been studying for a Teacher's meeting that we are having next month, I have gained a new appreciation for the teachers that prepare each Sunday to teach us true doctrine. We are so blessed to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Shape Ups

Well yesterday was near 70 degrees here, so I ventured out with my new Sketchers Shape Up shoes. It is suppose to feel like you are walking through sand.

I can honestly say these shoes are awesome! Can't wait to go walking again today...

Missing Home

This past weekend Ben and I were able to head to the Chicagoland area to see our families. It was so fun to visit with my parents on Friday evening and see their new decor in their home. It was also nice to see my sister, Elisabeth, who has had quite the year of not being able to walk and surgery in October. She started physical Therapy this week and has recovered well from surgery.

After visiting with my parents, we headed to my mother-in-law's home. It was so fun to see all of our family on Saturday. We had an early Thanksgiving, because this year we go to the wives side of the family. We ate delicious food and spent a wonderful time catching up.

As Ben and I headed home Saturday evening, we were extremely sad. We miss Chicago and all of our family. We hope to one day make it back to the Chicago Area.

On the Weight Loss Journey

This year has brought quite a bit of change. 1. Getting Married. I love having a wonderful, caring husband. The only bad thing-weight gain. 2. Get pregnant-even more weight gain. 3. Have a miscarriage- and keep the weight on from all of this. 4. Move to another State-All the stresses of building a house and learning about another states culture-more weight gain.

All in all, I've gained too much weight and really haven't wanted to face the facts until a few weeks ago. Ben and I have made a pledge to eat better and exercise. I have lost 5.5 lbs in two weeks! I hope to weigh less than when I got married by Christmas.

Temple in Indianapolis/General Conference

During our lives, Ben and I have both lived within a close distance to a Temple. Since, moving to Indianapolis, the temple is a couple of hours away. A little over a month ago, Ben and I were on a drive and discussed how wonderful it would be to have a temple in Indianapolis.

Yesterday, during the first session of conference, President Thomas S. Monson announced that a temple will be built in Indianapolis. What blessed news that we received.

Conference has filled my soul.

Photos of Our New Home

So today, I finally took some pictures of our home. It is so nice to be almost finished unpacking.

The Family Room Looking into the Kitchen/Dining Area

Our Family Room

The Loft Area

Guest Bedroom

Another Angle of the Office

My Office

The Stairs I can't seem to flip the Picture

This is the Living Room

The Whirlwind Last Month

We finally closed on our home 3 weeks after our original closing date. With all of the new regulations on lenders, it's amazing anyone is closing.

Our home is coming together nicely. We have unpacked over 30 boxes of kitchen supplies, finished the living and family room. We absolutely love our living area. The rest of our boxes are sitting in our formal dining room.

Working from home has been such a blessing. I love making meals for Ben and being here when he gets home from work. I'm so glad to be living under the same roof again.

We are both busy with our callings. Ben is the Valiant 10 teacher and I am the 1st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. Our ward is wonderful and very welcoming.

All in all, we are very happy and enjoying our time together. We feel so very blessed.

If you are ever in Indianapolis, please stop by, we love having visitors.

Pictures to follow of the finished home.