Several events stand out in my mind from last week. First, I had the opportunity to brush up against somebody's life who doesn't have (I say doesn't have, but I guess I mean doesn't take advantage of) the gospel or the church organization to strengthen herself and her family. She just has no idea in how many zillions of ways a relationship with God and full association with Jesus Christ's church could have helped her family and spared them buckets of sorrow, anger, and conflicts. This church is SUCH a blessing. Boys learn from scouting and holding the priesthood and going on missions to be "real men"--to be productive and unselfish, to support their families in more ways than just financially and make them a top priority. Women gain true friendships as they work together in church callings and participate in Relief Society. The whole family hears lessons for their betterment every Sunday. Family prayer, family scripture study, and Family Home Evening unite and strengthen the family unit. Quin and I just finished a Strengthening Marriage course in our stake where we learned all sorts of valuable things. I didn't know it before, but I know it now and feel very appreciative...I LIVE IN DOMESTIC BLISS! and it's because of the church!

Friday morning, the kids were out of school and it was the last day our zoo membership was valid. So we went to the zoo! Even Daniel, Paul, and Rachel! The weather was beautiful--70's with fall colors. And there were very few people there. I felt such a lightness of heart to be with my very own lovely children in such a lovely place. I was ENJOYING myself--which happens rarely enough that I really notice when it does happen.

Halloween was pretty good. Amy and Jonathan made out like bandits in the candy department, but nobody else did any serious trick-or-treating, so we're not drowning in candy thankfully. Quin was great at answering the door and passing out candy at the trunk or treat, so I did my usual laundry.

Saturday was a fairly free day, so Amy and I got in our sporty little Neon and drove our Zimbabwean kind-of-daughter to Rexburg. She's been accepted at BYU-Idaho finally and starts in January but had never seen the campus. Katrina was so sweet and spent the afternoon with us--showing us around campus, walking through the computer with Victoria to show her how to get a job and housing, etc. It was really nice to see Katrina.

There's a new woman in the ward who has adopted me as an exercise partner. I just don't have the strength to say no to her for some reason. It's been good. But I had three nights in a row where I thought as I went to bed, "I wonder if someone can die from eating too much...'cuz I think I'm almost there." I'm thankful Halloween is over and pray we can get back to eating more normally. :)

Here's some news for the Soderquist side of the family (whoops and maybe Heidi): Dad and Wendy have received a mission call to the Raleigh North Carolina Mission to serve in the office and in proselyting. They leave December 1! Wow!