Good Bye '08...Hello '09

I am so ready for 2008 to be over...

2008 started out OK, we were all really busy with church, work, and life in general. In May, we were surprised to find ourselves moving, adjusting to a new ward and stake and callings. Sad to leave the Ogden house, but wisely downsizing.

The whole election/economy/war and rumors of war thing is a little depressing, although San Antonio does indeed prove itself to be recession proof, and that is a blessing.

We were able to travel a lot, to graduations (Chip and Kim) and birthday parties

(Ethan and Riley)

and baby blessings

(Emerson)

and even just for fun (Karen's family in Denver and a CRUISE). And Russell and Lindsay and Calvin came to see us over the summer.

The family has been super busy...

Kelly is expecting #4 in May, John continues to work hard at school, Katy's Dan has a new job in KS and the family moved there over Christmas. Katy is still an involuntary philanthropist...donating to lawyers and now, apparently, Walmart indigents.

Chip and Deb closed on a new house in WA to bring their third boy home to in February. Russ sends good news home from his first year in Medical School in AZ (he likes it, hopefully Lindsay and Calvin do, too)...and he diagnoses us long distance. Their new baby is due around May as well. Kyle moved to Seattle and begins the application process for graduate school, (hope she picks UTSA, no pressure) while she works as a special education teacher with a little boy who really knocks her out (literally, ask her). Kim and Mike and Rusty, their horse are moving back to SA, hooray!!! Kim interviews this week at several hospitals and Mike will go to UTSA for his Construction Management or Structural Engineering degree. HAL and Reese keep things interesting. HAL got to see snow on a surprise trip to UT and kept Kim company on the drive home to TX and Reese started his first job at "Order Up". http://www.orderup-sa.com/ Good thing...he owes me money.

They are in a play at school called "Into the Woods" in late Jan. Come see it!

December brought some surprises for Rod

(the scary kind, and also the all's well that ends well kind.)

As the year winds down, it is nice to look back on all the amazing things it has taught us and look ahead to the wonderful opportunities 2009 holds. (think positive).

The Young Women's Theme has added Virtue, I am surprised it has not always been a part of the theme, it is a perfect addition. Sis. Dalton has some scriptural advice for us...

“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly." “Cleave unto [your] covenants.” “Stand … in holy places.” “Lay aside the things of [the] world.” “Believe that ye must repent.” ,“Always remember him and keep his commandments.” And “if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, … seek after these things.” Now more than ever before, it is time to respond to Moroni’s call to “awake, and arise” and to “lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.”

"I believe one virtuous young woman led by the Spirit can change the world." (Sis D.)

The 2009 Mutual Theme is:

"Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).

Here's hoping a bright and glorious 2009 for us all!!!