Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Two weeks ago, it was announced that there would be some changes happening to our ward.... a ward split!

Our ward was super big..like 730+ of mostly active members.

From 2 wards, a third ward was created. We knew it was coming, but was still so sad to see some of our ward family go.

On that next Wednesday, we got together one last time, for IHOP -Individual Hour Of Personal Progress.

Girls wore their jammies/sweats, we ate pizza and some worked a little on Personal Progress... but mostly it was just a big going away party...or should I say, see ya around party. :)

Maddi-Savannah-Lessa-Megan-Jennifer
Brittany
Melissa-Madi-Emma-Karly

Taylee-Brittany-Maddison

Emma

Kaylee-Emily-Perry

Emma-Taylee

Our NEW YW president, Jessica.

She and her counselors had just been put in about 6 weeks prior. We bonded quickly and were having so much FUN together. We are SO SAD to have it end so soon.

I was looking forward to girl's camp together....... really. :)

Laurie-Danielle-Karly

Abbey-Bella-Hannah-Laura-Lauren

Lexi-MacKenzie

Maddison-Sister Eldredge...actually working on Personal Progress.

Katie Givens-Kiley Thompson-Danielle-Jessica Whiting

Brittany-Hailey-Kamryn

Stephanie Young-Savannah

Shelby-Livvy

Savannah-Erin-Lessa-Megan-Rylee-Melissa

The MiaMaid Huddle

Rylee was so bummed. Her good friends (including Melissa!)are now in the other ward. There are only 3 MiaMaids in our ward now. Such an adjustment!

Friends Forever..... right?

Some of the Laurels

Some of MY Beehives.

More of MY Beehives.

We went from 22, down to 10! Class was quiet on Sunday. :)

Sister Young had promised some of the girls an arm wrestle match. She had to make good on her promise. Sister Young, we will also miss your "speed walking".

Me-Katie-Jess-Kiley-Shel-Steph

Missing Sister Merrilee Ellsworth who was sick that night.

What's that saying? "All good things must come to an end"... I guess it's true.

More changes ahead.

With all the "holes" to fill in ward leadership and callings, we're not done adjusting.... oh, but I wish we were. I don't like change.... I'm not "used to it"!!!!!

On to the next chapter .

Modern Day Pioneers

Late Saturday night, we picked up our 2 pioneer trekkers.

Their "covered wagons" were quite a bit nicer and faster than the older models.

Rylee said her bus was kind of run-down and a lot slower than the others... they didn't stop for a break, but the other buses still arrived before hers. It's better than WALKING to Wyoming, I thought.

We found Taylee first. She was excited to tell us all the details of what she ate each day. She pulled out her journal and started listing off meals, right away. She said they fed them so well, she was never hungry. Doesn't sound very pioneer-like, does it?

I am grateful they took care of our kids so well, though. :)

Next, we found Rylee. She wasn't excited about me taking a "post trek" picture, so wouldn't look at me. Initially she talked about being tired, stinky and having stickers in her feet, but would keep talking to reveal new friendships and bonding experiences.

Although the parking lot was filled with buses, dusty equipment and reddish-brown people, a pioneer spirit lingered there. It was so neat to see these modern day pioneers sun-drenched and tired, because I also sensed the satisfaction, happiness and peace among them.

I kept saying, "Everyone looks so good!"

It was amazing how BROWN everyone was. It was hard to tell if it was dirt or tanned skin. Time would tell... the next day at church I would see if they still looked BROWN or if their BROWN had washed off in the shower. :)

The girls said, the first thing they wanted to do when they got home was to jump into the shower. They were so excited, they bubbled-over with details all the way home and late into the evening. It was way late by the time they got into the shower and finally into bed.

Still wishing I were a fly on their handcart... or photographer along the trail.

So proud of you, my modern day pioneer girls!

PS- Rylee gets to be one of the youth speaking in sacrament meeting this Sunday, about trek. Can't wait.