Change is hard--Allen Stake boundaries realignment

There has been a lot of change in our church since President Nelson was sustained prophet.  Many of those changes have been global.

But sometimes local changes are necessary too.  Our ward, the Allen 4th Ward has been growing a lot in recent years.  Unfortunately, it's been growing faster than other neighboring wards and a boundary realignment was necessary.

What's resulted is that most of our "besties" will now go to the Allen 6th ward, a ward that had dwindled to so small it took half of our ward to infuse it with enough leadership to keep it functioning.  We will miss the Halls, Bonadios, Furness', Rees' and so many more!

One good thing is that a handful of families from the Allen 2nd ward are back with us in Allen 4th.  Families like the Lofgrens and Heidenriechs and the Deckers.

But change is hard.  

This pic is Kaitlyn noticing the upper right hand corner of this big bag of candy--which she was using to soothe her heart--and the message to Choose The Right--even when things are hard.

 

Religious Freedom Conference

Second annual Religious Freedom Conference happened.  It's so much work but it was well received and is making a difference.

I did have to jump in and represent Reverend Rachael Baughman from Oaklawn UMC and her work with the homeless community in Dallas.  It was an honor.

 

Carl & Susan come to visit!

We enjoyed a weekend visit with grandma and grandpa McKneely.  

They attended the football game with us, we ate good food, and played games.

It was funny when Mom & Susan dressed like twins!

And Susan really helped with sewing on Sam's Merit badges!

 

October 2019--Music, Gerry Duron, storm & Boo bowl

Kaitlyn has been recruited to play the piano for the mid level jazz band.  The jazz band meets during her privilege period and as long as she's caught up, she goes and plays for them.  She even had an event at the shops at Fairview.  She plays alongside Tate Christensen from church.

Our friend and favorite crossing guard Jerry Duron died suddenly.  He was a wonderful softball coach in the community and he actually died of a heart attack while on the pitchers mound.  Jerry was an avid Texas A&M fan, he knew my kids by name, and always had a cheery hello to say when we went through his crosswalk.

A crazy windstorm went through and broke our neighbors tree!  

Band "Boo Bowl" is always the game closest to Halloween.  Kaitlyn really wanted a new "Onesie" and so she decided to be a "Beanie Baby" for Halloween.

 

September 2019--Organ & Merit Badges

So proud of our Kaitlyn who has recently been called as the ward organist at church.  It's not as simple as just playing the piano on the organ, see how her feet are bare, she plays the bass clef with her feet!  

Sam had a court of honor and cleaned up after scout camp--he's on his way to the rank of Eagle.  8 Merit badges:

Chess, Personal Fitness (FINALLY), Geology, Robotics, Camping, Citizenship in the Nation, Sports, and Communications

And the rank of Life Scout!

 

September 2019--Football Season, Cookies & Temple time!

A-up!  It's Allen Eagle Football Season again for our band girl and her fans!  Allen High School Football is serious business!

Loved these sweet kiddos who worked together one Sunday afternoon to make cookies!

A special Saturday excursion to the temple to do baptisms--Matthew was even a good sport to wait in the lobby so we could all be together.

 

September 2019--Boating with friends

We have reached the phase in our boating life that it's way more fun for our kids to bring a few friends to enjoy lake days!

Bella & Mikelle came with Lindsey and Logan with Sam--we had a GREAT day!