Out to sea

David took this picture from the deck of the USS Comfort, April 2011.

It has been a busy few months. David is out on deployment again. He left on April 8th, for a five month deployment on the USS Comfort. He will be helping with morale and HR for Operation Continuing Promise 2011. The 879 foot ship will visit ports in many South American countries and will help people with medical and dental needs, eye care and even veterinarian services! The Seabees (military construction and engineering corp)are also a part of this mission helping people build and repair needed things. I'm proud of him and of this mission.


We had a great two weeks of vacation before David left. His parents flew out and my Dad and Step-mom came for Abby's 8th birthday and baptism. It was a beautiful day and fun time. this is the dress my mom made for my baptism.

I'm so proud of Abby for deciding to be baptized. She is a sweet, caring girl and one of my closest friends. My mom made my dress to wear to my baptism 28 years ago. All 3 of my little sisters also wore it. My mom saved that dress and sent it to me for Abigail's baptism. The dress was very big on her, but her Aunt Briana came through and fixed it up perfect. She looked so pretty.

This is another dress she wore for her baptism so the other one wouldn't be wet.

David's ship, the USS Comfort



Two days after David left, I was released as Young Women's President and called as Relief Society President. Seriously? I guess Heavenly Father knows that I need to stay busy and challenged during a deployment or I go crazy. I love my kids, but homeschooling puts us together A LOT and David is such a help to me that when he's gone, we feel it. I also miss my best friend an insane amount!

Me with my counselors in Young Women and most of the Young Women I have grown to love so much.


David will return in early September. We are counting the days! It seems SO far away. I'm looking forward to getting into a groove with my new Church responsibilities. As I was being called and thinking about Relief Society, I thought back to the amazing experiences and people I met when I served in this same calling in Yokosuka, Japan in 2005.

One of my most amazing blessings when I served in Japan was being asked to be an escort for a wonderful friend on her first time in the temple and her sealing day!
Another cherished memory; teaching our Japanese Relief Society sisters how to stamp and make Christmas cards! Amazing!
Relief Society rocks! Although I miss my young women, I still get to see them and they have already invited me to some of their events, I am looking forward to serving the sisters in the Deep Creek Ward.

We pray that time will go by fast so we can be with David again, but I will make every effort to enjoy the moments that we are blessed with during this time! Bring on Summer!