15 January 2017 - Icy roads and learning environs

Back to the basics of school, seminary and homelife routine. Seminary started out this week with a continuation of the book of John, an amazing testimony of the words of Jesus and His continual doing the will of His Father in Heaven.
   Monday was so cold that Kathleen slipped on the driveway going out to the car and then the car slid several times on the road. The worst was heading east on Kent-Kangley and coming to a stoplight behind a metro bus. The car decided to slide instead of brake and Kathleen was afraid that she was going to be in another accident. Thankfully the Lord intervened and she was able to stop inches from the bus. Making it to seminary that day without incident was a miracle and then when seminary was over the Kent school district announced that school was two hours late because of the road conditions....too late.  :-)  Samuel spent the two hours at the Haywards house since she was driving the kids to school when they heard about the two hour delay. He loved it. The Kent school district decided to make up for it by having the schools two hours late start on Tuesday.

Coach giving last minute instructions to the team.

Samuel, in white shorts, is playing the trumpet in the middle of the picture
to the right of the pep band.

   Tuesday was a little better. It was cold but dry and no seminary. Stephen did pick up a teaching assignment at Soos Creek Elementary teaching 1st grade. He enjoyed that half-day teaching assignment. Samuel had a game that night. At half time the lights went out in the gym and they couldn't get them to come back on in time for the rest of the game. Sad day! They were behind by more than 20 points so they just called the game. The lights were back on for the varsity game and Samuel played in the pep band. They lost also but they should have won since they led the whole game and were ahead with 40 seconds left in the game but a young man decided to try for a 3 point shot instead of working the clock down and going for a winning two points. Another disappointment.
   Wednesday was a scheduled late-start for school so no seminary. Stephen went to the stake center to work on the creation of a family history library at the building. He is in charge of the remodel and he is working with the FM group. That afternoon Samuel had an after school practice so his mother picked him up and his father took him to YM. Br. Carter came to teach the young men about his work in financial investing.    Thursday Stephen was scheduled to teach a half day at Soos Creek Elementary in first grade but when he got there they needed him to take over for a second grade class for the full day. Three of the children were under psych evaluations and had behavioral problems. They would not follow instructions. They got into arguments. They were disruptive in class...they were difficult and Stephen said that the mother of one of the kids wouldn't even listen to the school about methods of teaching/discipling but hung up the phone when she heard what the teacher wanted. Sad for the kids to not have parents that cared. Stephen was "burnt out" when he got home and he said he would not be going back to that school.
   Friday Stephen was scheduled to teach at Scenic Hill 1st grade Spanish immersion. He had small classes of wonderful kids and he really enjoyed it. After his day was over, the school asked if he wanted to be put on a preferred list so he would get early notifications of needs from the school. He did. He had a great time. Samuel had a game out of town so he was riding the bus after school in the afternoon.
   That night was date night for Stephen and Kathleen. They wanted to go see Rogue One at the theater after a quick bite for dinner in Federal Way so that they could pick up Samuel after the varsity game at Rogers HS. They went to the theater during the previews and the sound system was pretty gritty. Then the movie started and it was worse so the theater company stopped the movie and said that everyone could have free refills (Stephen and Kathleen hadn't gotten anything to begin with) and the movie would start where it left off when they got the sound figured out. Stephen was worried about Samuel and so he and Kathleen opted to get their money back but it was still 2 hours before his game was over. They decided to check out the dollar theater and see what was there. The selection wasn't very good but they could see Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. It was a different kind of movie.... Rebekah was asked to pick up Samuel at KLHS and she agreed so she arrived just as the bus got to KL. Everyone arrived back to the house about the same time. It was nice to have some time together.
   Saturday was unusual as no one had to be up early. Stephen went to the stake center for some more discussion on what to do with the library and the new family history library that is being set up. Rebekah came by for breakfast together. Kathleen was on-call at work but didn't have to go in so that afternoon everyone gathered around in the family room with a blazing fire to heat up the house and watched the football game with the Seattle Seahawks vs. the Atlanta Falcons. Seattle lost which means their season is over. After the game, Stephen and Kathleen decided there was time to make it to the temple for the 7:00 session. It was crowded with a ward temple night but it was also great to see Dave and Katie Forbes there. What a fun surprize.
   Today, Stephen had his first Ward Conference with the Clarke Lake Ward. He taught the Elder's and High Priest's quorums on the subject of Fast Offerings. The Lake Meridian ward had two youth speakers and the High Councilman, Br. Egbert. The theme was missionary work, picked by Br. Egbert and since he had 35 minutes to give his talk it was a good idea for him to pick the topic. Tonight is a missionary fireside at the stake center. The missionaries have a choir that they bring and everyone is invited to come. It should be good.
   This week in scripture studies during seminary prep and sunday school. It was noted that the important task everyone has while here on earth is to come to know Jesus Christ. "This is life eternal to know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." The hope is that we are all studying the life of the Savior and His gospel. He come to know Him by doing what He asks of us, keeping His commandments and seeking to learn His will. True happiness and joy comes from knowing the plan of happiness is real and that everyone can be happy no matter what their circumstances are at this time. May you all feel loved and joy in your lives... <3 p="">