April 26: First Farmer's Market and Celebration of Birthdays

Check out the fun details on Linda's blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the
CLARK BOYS
Looking forward to seeing you this weekend so we can party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Reflections

Well, it has been a while since I have physically blogged anything...so I figured it was about time.

I loved conference this weekend...it was amazing. A big plus was me being able to eat injera (Ethiopian food...so good!)

for the first time since being home. It was great and I was able to catch up with my old companion, Elder Brown.

I loved the opportunity to participate in the solemn assembly on Saturday morning (we were privileged enough to have tickets for that session). I know that President Monson is a prophet of God. All sessions of conference were just full of the spirit and very uplifting.

As you could figure, this weekend made me reflect a lot on my mission and the things I have learned from it and the people of Uganda. I love them and miss them. I know the Lord holds a special place for them, as he does for us all, in His perfect heart. Collette sent me this picture:

which is very touching to me. I love Christ so much. I cherish Him and am grateful for all that He has done for me and will continue to do for me.

Uganda is Zion....and will always be one of the greatest places on earth for me!

All Together

We were lucky to be able to visit with ALL of our family this past weekend. That doesn't happen very often. Alisa and family came Friday night to attend a baptism for Grant's sister's son on Saturday and the confirmation on Sunday. They are on their way to St. Louis and will be meeting with the surgeon this week that performed Zadyn's original procedure to assess the progress and plan of action. They are taking the kids and have booked several fun "field trip" adventures while there for school. Jeremy and family came Saturday morning and brought his new birthday present he bought for himself - guitar hero. So once again my living room turned into a rockin' session. I think everyone had a chance to relive their favorite rocker, one of my favorites that I did was Pat Benetar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot". Cameron and family came in the afternoon and did some pretty awesome renditions, too. Way to go Mary, you really stepped it up and rocked pretty awesome. Jef and family were here for Sarah's sister's baby blessing and family dinner. We all were in awe of Jef's "expert" level ability of guitar hero when he brought Cole out in the afternoon Saturday to visit. Logan and Mason were swimming with their Grandpa Doug and Sarah was getting things ready for the birthday party for Mason and Cole that her grandparents in town hosted for everyone Saturday night. Chad and his friend, Bailey, came early Saturday, just in time to join have a quick bite to eat and then put Bailey through the teasing of the family at the birthday party....such as, "wow, we could have two Bailey's in the family" and having all grand kids calling her "Aunt Bailey"! Collette joined the party after work and is always a favorite of the babies.

Sarah's grandparents, Truman and Esther Arbaugh are the salt of the earth. They had all of our family, plus those of Sarah's that were here Saturday night for cake and ice cream. It got a bit noisy at times, but it was special to me and I was very appreciative to them, especially because all the Clark's were there together, along with our niece, Tammy and her son Daniel. Here are the pictures I took at the party with only one shot each ( I say that to excuse the silly, sad, and not-quite-ready- to pose-faces of some).

Jefrey and family
Alisa and family

Cameron and family

Jeremy and family

Collette and her pal, Malia

Chad and his friend, Bailey

Tammy and Daniel