Who'd Have Thought It?

Rolling History in a Parade at ISU

I told Johnny about this earlier today, but it occurs to me that it couldn't hurt to mention this to the group. When you do something for 20 years and people tell you that you're doing it well, you really miss it when it's taken away. For over 6 years I've been denied the pleasure of teaching History, except for those moments that I could sneak it into a Sunday School or Priesthood lesson.

Several nights ago our Relief Society (Shayne delighted in calling it "Rerief Soriety") president told Sheryl that several sisters had requested that their "work meetings" be classes in US History for a while and that a specific request had been made that I be the instructor! It has been passed by the Bishop and the Stake President, and a bunch of sisters from another ward also said they wanted to attend. For that matter, so does the Stake President.

Two miracles in one week. Sheryl's trashed heart is healed overnight and my many prayers that I might some day be of use again in the one thing I know I can do well being answered in such a huge and unexpected way. There's no money in it, but no one really teaches for the money, at least not in Idaho. I never told the people in Madison District 321, but I'd have done the 20 years just for fun if only my family had been provided for otherwise.

Now, of course, I'm becoming filled with self-doubt and worry. Will I still be good at it? Will the "holes" make much difference? Surely I'll have no problems with the groups themselves. These are adults, so you naturally expect more courtesy from them. However, I noticed a strong tendency among some parents over the years at parent/teacher conferences. Those who know a lot about one facet of History want to quiz you to see whether you know it as well as they do. It might be a hobby subject of theirs which they've studied for 50 years, but they'll be sure to look narrowly at you if you show any weakness by admitting that there was even one detail that they knew and you didn't. Over the years, I would wait nervously for that misfortune, but I think they only got me a couple of times.

I know that this opportunity is an answer to prayer. Perhaps it answers not only my prayers but also those of others who like me. I'm grateful to the Lord and also to anyone else who put in a good word for me.

A Wedding and a Military Leave

Two events worthy of note have occurred lately. Mellissa Bosen, daughter of Doug and Teresa (Wilde) Bosen finally settled for just one man. She had been pursued by literally dozens of fellows for years and years, but this kid, two years her junior, seemed to have all the right traits. Here you will see the newlyweds and all the beautiful people who came to the reception. Well actually only about half the beautiful people. I concentrated on showing you lots of the cute munchkins and a few of the great beauties in addition to the bride herself.

First, you will pass through a few shots of the returning soldier, Josh McBride, who just went back to the war this morning. He is not aware of anyone shooting bullets at him, but many mortars have been lobbed in the general direction of himself and his co-workers. He laughs his usual demonic laugh and says, "They're really bad shots." And they must be, because he says the closest a mortar round has come to his position was when three of them came down 75 yards from him. Mortars did better than that during the Colonial wars!

You'll also see the IF Temple flowers, or at least some of them. They were in rare form the day of Mellissa's wedding.