'Plop plop, fizz fizz...Oh, what a relief it is!' - Alka Seltzer ad

We survived another stake conference week-end! Once it gets here, it's always a wondrous outpouring of the spirit, but the weeks and days leading up to it are usually quite stressful. Mostly, because the rest of life doesn't let up to accommodate the additional pressure on these dear gents, but we always muddle through.

And what a blessing it is to serve with such treasured and faithful friends. This picture was taken at Tim and Michele's, who hosted a wonderful family lunch after Sunday's session. On the left is Deb and Jeff Sermon, and Michele and Tim Welch are in the middle. One of the blessings of serving in this gospel is how much you can love someone you work with!

'I Hope They Call Me on a Mission' - #169 Children's Songbook

We had a great 'Labor Day' week-end, with lots of 'laboring.'

We went with our cousins to Glenwood, to haul the last load of 'mission hay' of the summer.

We are so grateful to Grandpa and Grammy Judd for all of their hard work and generosity that makes this experience for our kids possible. For almost ten summers, Grandpa has harvested 'mission hay.' He and Grammy do most of the work, like planting, irrigating, cutting, raking and baling, but then they let the grandkids come and haul it. The money that is made from the sale of the hay is deposited into the mission and college funds of the grandkids.

It is often hot and sticky, itchy work, but it always ends up being more fun than not. One of the reasons I love it is because it connects our kids with an era that is harder to find these days. I love so many of the smells...fresh-cut hay, the mixture of gas, oil and farm equipment, and old leather gloves. I love watching my kids work hard with their hands and having fun with their cousins.

Parker got to drive the truck for the first time.

I can't think of a better way to end the summer. Thanks mom and dad, we love you!

'We're All in This Together' - High School Musical

This year's first BYU Women's Conference meeting last Friday felt just like my very own 'back to school day!' I was so excited! Who wouldn't be? Spending one day a week on the BYU campus, rubbing shoulders and learning from and laughing and crying with these dear ladies.

This is our 'class picture' from last year, so a few of the faces have changed, but as you can see, I am a thorn among roses. I feel so blessed. We are all in this together, and I can't wait to see where the Lord leads us this year.

'Go, Ye Messengers of Glory' - hymn #262, second verse

This is a missionary day. Here's another picture sent to us by our good friend, Shawn Moon, who took this picture for us of our Elder Judd, serving in the Pittsburgh/Harrisburg Mission. Spencer's Aunt Julie arranged to have Dr. Covey speak to the missionaries while he was in the area on business and Spencer was able to spend the day with him. My favorite part was hearing from Shawn about the light in my boy's eyes and the evidence of his faithful and dedicated service. We know he is leaning into the harness and finishing strong. As Benji would say, 'Only two more fast Sundays and he'll be home.' (His best barometer is usually food-related.)

'Go, Ye Messengers of Glory' - hymn #262

Last week a missionary in our ward returned from the same mission where Taylor is serving, in Guatemala. He saw Taylor the day before he flew home and brought with him a hug, some souvenirs, and more importantly, some picture cards! I wanted to share a few with you.

Taylor has struggled a bit, with the language that seemed to make his stuttering flare up, and with disobedient companions. His very first trainer was wonderful, and they had a productive and joyful six weeks together, but since then, Taylor's mission president has given him the task of handling the mission's most difficult elders. Taylor has been up to the task, but in recent emails, we have sensed his discouragement and loneliness as he walks this path the Lord has set. We are so proud of him for his desire to be completely obedient and know that these hard things will shape and bless the rest of his life. Though I must admit that in my motherly moments of weakness, I pray for some relief for him.

But as I look at these pictures, there's no denying the JOY of missionary work, even on the hard days. We will miss not having two sons serving at the same time. Spencer comes home in less than two months. We love our Elder Judds!