September 29, 2008 by Mallory.

This past weekend, Wendell and I went down to Louisiana to help with the hurricane relief. The church was trying to get 1000 people to go down and help. It turned out at about 1300 people went. Elder Anderson of the Quorum of the 70 went down too. It was really neat. We left at around 9:00 Friday night (Wendell had school until about 7:00), and we drove down with another couple in the stake. We got there at around 4:00 in the morning, slept a good 3 hours, then got up to start the work. We met up with people from our ward and basically spent the whole day on Saturday taking apart trees that had been blown over. There were HUGE trees that were just on their side from the wind. It was crazy. Also, a little side note…at the last house we went to, there was a rat. I just said to let it go, but there were these 3 not very intelligent boys who decided that they wanted to catch the rat. Now if it were a frog or even a non-poisonous snake, I would be fine…but a rat?!!? They carry diseases!!! I even specifically said, one of them is gonna get bit…and rats carry diseases. So yeah…I think I’m psychic. They kept trying and lo and behold, one of them got bit. He was bleeding pretty good. (Stupid boys) So they killed the rat (while I closed my eyes, plugged my ears, and turned my back to it) and they put it in a bag so they could get it tested for diseases. Man….hopefully they learned their lesson….anyway…back to the positive parts of it. There was one family we helped that their family had been there for over 200 years. I can’t even imagine that! On Saturday, we didn’t see parts that were too bad. On Sunday, we had a short sacrament meeting in the Pentecostal church that’s under construction. Elder Anderson spoke about service, then we were on our way. On Sunday, we gave away a lot of bottles of water, MRE’s, cleaning kits, and we also totally gutted someone’s house. All the other houses around this house were up on stilts, but this house was only about 1 foot off the ground. There was mold everywhere, so we just had to gut the whole house. I couldn’t even imagine coming home and finding that everything you had was ruined. That would be so hard. All I have to say is I am SOOO exhausted (I was even exhausted before this weekend), but it was worth it. It was great to serve all those people and do what the Lord would need for His children. It’s a great thing. It kinda reminded me of youth conference, when we would do all those service projects. (I haven’t done a service project like that since Young Women!) It was a great experience and we were glad to go! Man…all this traveling sure is exhausting. Until next time!

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September 28, 2008 by Melanee.

I was on my way to Hartford this afternoon to attend a rally at the state capital today. While I was in the left lane on 84 there was a slow down. I saw a car pull over with the door open and a boy ran out of the car I passed slowly by him. By his actions I recognized he had special needs and was autistic. I pulled over my car and ran over to help him. His father was in terror and immediately told me he has autistic. I said, “I know”. I have worked with autistic children for several years.(But not recently) The father asked me to help him put him in the car. He was a heavy boy and the both of us could not do it alone. I talked to the boy to try and convince him to stand up and come with me, but he wouldn’t. After a while the police came and I had passengers in my car and needed to leave. Hopefully I helped in some way. I assume the boy went home safely. But, I also want the father to know that I feel his pain and I know how hard it is to care for a child with specials needs. My prayers are for him and his family that they are doing great and to keep going even when his son jumps out of the car on the highway.

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September 28, 2008 by Melanee.

I have been working on my grandson’s quilt that my mother-in-law started a year ago. I remember her showing me the quilt she started when I came out to celebrate her birthday a year ago yesterday. (not realizing that I would be finishing it) When she passed I gathered up the projects that she was in the middle of–Kevin’s quilt, Marlene’s college quilt, and towels that she made baby bath towels with for her great grand children.
So, I have been busy in the evenings finishing Kevin’s quilt. It’s a light blue material with half moons. She outlined the half moons and quilted stars between them. Her thread is a little darker blue. I decided to used purple thread for my outline of moons and stars. Then this way we can see what Great Grandma Webster created and what Grandma Webster finished.

My niece Lindsey is expecting the fifth great grand child in the family so I will be making some towels for the new baby that Great Grandma purchased for the occasion.

Then I will add Marlene’s college quilt to the list and hopefully get it done before she graduates.

My girls have received some wonderful afghans, wedding quilts, and college quilts from their Grandma Webster. We feel privileged to have them.

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September 28, 2008 by Melanee.

Another one of nature’s miracles has blossomed the past two days. The Easter lily plant that was done and ready to be thrown out at my place of employment was brought home a few months ago. After about three months of being in the pot I found time to plant it. The bulbs were starting several shoots. Well, one of those shoots matured and I now have two lilies blooming next to my side door. My Easter lily bloomed twice this year. Once in March and now in September. How fun is that?

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September 26, 2008 by Marlene.

I was reading an article in the Ensign about Joseph and Emma’s correspondence through letters and it reminded of my own parents. One thing I am truly grateful for is how they showed me what a good marriage should be. I know for a fact that they were head over heels in love for each other and still are to whatever extent they can be. When I hear of other people’s parents divorcing or who simply don’t show their affection for each other I silently thank my parents for making me one of the lucky few who are part of a strong and stable family.
I am definitely one lucky girl and I am so grateful for all those moments that left me nauseous. I refuse to accept anything less than what they had/have and because of their example I know I can lead a happy and healthy married life.
Thanks.

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September 24, 2008 by Marlene.

I figured that it has been too long since I’ve written when my mother starts updating everyone about my life. That could be dangerous after all. You never know what she’ll say.
BYU is treating me well. As mom said I changed my major. The technical title is Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation but that makes me sound like a park ranger, which I have no intention of becoming. I love it. I love my classes and all the cool things I get to learn. My professors take us outside for class pretty often. Partially because of ‘necessity’ in seeing the plants we’re talking about and partially just for kicks I suppose.
We’re already heading into Midterm Season for this next week so that’s always exciting. These are the times when I feel that procrastination the most. I’m getting better about that though. I’m working on it.
I’m getting more comfortable with the people in my complex/ward and so I get to wander the complex and hang out. A fun aspect of where I live is that it’s all shaped like a “U” so it’s perfect for people watching. I live on the 3rd floor so we can see just about everyone, even though they can’t really see us. It can get pretty entertaining, but pretty dull all at the same time. Just a fun tidbit of the residency.
For years my back and neck has been hurting me and been really tense and I’m finally going to physical therapy for it. It’s been really nice, although of course it’s not an overnight miracle. There aren’t any chiropractors around that are covered (I think) but at least I’ve got something. Now all I have to do is get a job. Everyone seems to want a schedule that mine doesn’t work with. I hope I’ll find something soon. A paycheck would be nice.
Either way, I sure am enjoying myself. Ask me in a week and the answer might be different (midterms) but other than that I’m doing quite well.

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September 21, 2008 by Melanee.

I am an empty nester now. Marlene is off to college and doing really well. She has decided to change her major to a Horticulture /Botany major. She is always outside tending the plants and growing plants from seeds she got from other plants etc. Even with her growing trees as seedlings from our back yard. So I think she has found the right major. Now she is trying to figure out what kind of work she will do with the major.
She is happy there and enjoying campus life. I am glad she is there to build her life’s foundation by getting a good education. All my girls have done so well with what they have been through. Their Dad is proud too, he is watching over them and encouraging them along just as he would be.

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September 21, 2008 by Melanee.

My granddaughter Anya turned four Saturday. Her birthday is the day after Kev’s birthday. I packed a big box with gifts and sent them to her. She opened one of the them when I called her. One gift I gave her was a container with pads of paper, scissors, markers, glue stick, etc. she immediately started using the hole puncher. Leah created a “Cookie Party” for her and invited a few friends to share in the celebration. Leah told me Anya asked Mallory to call me to ask if grandma could go to her party. I wish I could have.

I remember when Anya was born. It was a very stressful time while Hurricane Ivan was threatening the coast of Florida where Leah and Ed lived at the time. The hospital called Leah that Monday to pick up her hospital records and evacuate because the hurricane was going to hit on Wednesday when Anya was due. She obtained an emergency birthing kit just in case she gave birth while on the road too. They evacuated safely and stayed with her visiting teacher’s family in Gainesville, then Anya was born at the hospital there. Wow! The Lord has been watching over them. I was praying the Anya would stay put till they were safely sheltered. I could not go down at the time because of the hurricane coming. Was I a nervous wreck? Yes! The family they were staying with, traveled back to Leah’s and Ed’s house- checked for damage- put a tarp on their roof- removed the food out of the frig because they lost power and reported back what they found. I am so thankful for our gospel friends who helped out even when they didn’t know them, but we are connected by it’s teachings. Kev and I flew down about five days after, they had power back and we were able to enjoy our first grand daughter. That Sunday Kev and Ed went to church in work clothes. They had a half hour service at 7:00 am then divided up the men in groups of 10 and sent them throughout the area to help with damaged homes and downed trees. Kev and Ed worked all day till 5 pm. I got to enjoy my grand daughter and I was busy sewing a bed set with curtains for her bedroom. We also went grocery shopping to fill the frig with food. So many adventures and so many memories.

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September 21, 2008 by Mallory.

So my class had 23 students and the other 3rd grade class had 25 students. Now normally, that really wouldn’t be a bad number, but unfortunately, our rooms are TINY!!! We could barely move around when the students were there. And plus, in an inner-city school where only 3 kids in the entire grade passed the No Child Left Behind test (TCAP for Tennessee) last year, we had a lot of work to do, and it’s hard with that many students. Well, last week, we hired another 3rd grade teacher. HALLELUJAH!!!! Now I have 15 kids. Unfortunately, they took all my smart, really good kids, but they also took my REALLY troublesome kids, so I’m ok with him taking my good kids if he takes my tough kids too. But my class now is great. I have all my in-between kids. They are still talkative, but they haven’t fought since the class split and we’ve gotten SOO much more work done! I’m so happy! Now that the tough kids are gone, I’m really enjoying the class b/c I don’t have to do as much disciplining and breaking up fights and sending kids to the office…etc. Things are great! Life is really good right now. Really, the only thing I can complain about is that we ran out of floss and my teeth are screaming FLOSS ME! But that can easily be fixed by a trip to the store…but today is Sunday. Things are great, life is good (messy and busy, but good). Until next time!

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September 21, 2008 by Melanee.

I have been wanting to go to Time Out for Women in MA on Saturday. My call to the company was not fruitful because they said there are no tickets and they can’t guarantee a spot if I go. So I decided not to go and made my to do list for Saturday. Well, I woke up at 6:30 in the morning and I had an overwhelming feeling to go even if I didn’t have a ticket. So I hurried to get ready and got in the car by 7:45 and made it to Springfield in about 50 minutes. I went to the ticket table and asked if they had room for me because I did not purchase a ticket. They could not sell a ticket to me, but one women was trying to sell her ticket because her mother passed away a couple weeks ago. They connected me with her and I got in. I shared my experience with the ticket seller, we hugged, and told her how grateful I could attend.

What a wonderful program. There were several speakers on different topics to inform us and help us as women-the theme-Joyful Life. Mary Ellen talked about being a peacemaker by trying to change our attitudes during frustrating experiences. Camille talked about the Book of Psalms, Jason talked about the power of letter writing and the influence it can have, Merilee talked about how to teach happiness in the family by teaching them to serve others, and Sharon discussed how important it is to pay attention to life’s experience to create joy. And Kenneth sang some wonderful songs with very powerful messages.
I connected up with some friends I haven’t seen in the while. Hugs were given in abundance which I needed. This experience was wonderful and I was glad I went. So glad that something pushed me out of bed to go.

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