Young Women in Excellence Program

What a wonderful Sunday evening! Brooke had her YW in Excellence program this evening. Each girl got to showcase some of their value projects. Brooke showcased her turkey, hunting gear, and photos from her hunts. Other girls showed the gardens they had planted, instruments they play, and sports they are in involved in. Three girls sang some beautiful numbers and then the Bishop spoke to the audience briefly. Brooke is such a great example. I wish I was more like her when I was younger!

Brooke's first elk hunt was a total success!

Our fall break was spent up in Forest Lakes at the Fogle cabin. We had so much fun! It was great to wear a shirtshirt everyday as we adventured on the Mogollon Rim. We went for walks, tracked elk, found new adventurous roads that led deep into the forests, played games, (graded papers), and oh yeah.....Brooke shot her first cow elk! It weighed almost 700 pounds. She spotted it, set up, and took it down all on her own. She and Don went to the butcher last night and packaged up over three hundred pounds of meat! Brooke is amazing. She is only 13, but can sit for six hours in a blind watching a waterhole without making a sound, she can spot elk in the dawn's dim light from 500 yards away, sneak up on elk without them hearing her, and make a clean shot from 300+ yards away. If I ever had to live in the wilderness like Lehi's family, I sure would want Don and Brooke with me. Tyler and Brandon can't wait to take hunter's ed so they can hunt as well.....we'll see if they can sit still that long!



I do want to point out that Brooke is a very conscientious hunter. She restrained from taking shots that were closer whenever the cow had a calf or when she could not see far beyond the cow for a safe shot. I am very impressed with this young woman. She is very thankful for the skills her dad and his hunting friends have taught her.

Amy and Shannon came to visit!

Since Jaryn Eddings got married on Saturday, Oct. 10, Amy and Shannon flew out for the event. It was so wonderful to see her. It was like she never left.

Homecoming week is over!!!

Wow. What an amazing week. I have to say that this was one of the best homecoming weeks we have had since I have been at Apollo. Even though the economy is down and many of our students suffer financially, our students came out to the events in droves with tons of school spirit. Here is a quick run down of our week:
Monday: Clown Day (pretty interesting outfits appeared at school)
Tuesday: Circus Animal Day and our amazing carnival!! We got Steve Matfeldt's carnival company back after six years of trying to book them. They are so professional and run a spectacular carnival. It looked like the fair when you came around the bleachers onto the baseball/softball fields. We had five hard rides, a bouncy, over 25 booths, professional carnival games, a mobile game trailer, and tons of food.
Wednesday: Siamese Twin Day and the fourth annual dodgeball tournament.
Thursday: Circus Freak Day (students were so creative!!) and final floatbuilding
Friday: We were at Apollo at four a.m. to decorate for The Greatest Show on Earth assembly. We built a giant tent in the gym twenty feet tall. We had a great assembly. Then, before parade, the seniors and I went to lunch at Chili's. Then, we had the best parade. We had over 26 vehicles in the parade. It is getting so large. Every class float was amazing. Key Club even built a float this year. Councilman Lieberman from the City of Glendale was our grand marshall again. Right after the parade was the tailgate. Seniors made a great profit. They had to run to the store twice to get more food. Then, we sold t-shirts and dance tickets until the halftime show. Tabetha and Dylon won Queen and King.
Saturday: We decorated and prepared for the dance from 7:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. and then the committee and Don and I were back at school at six thirty to open up for the dj and the photographer. The dj didn't bring enough lights, so thank goodness I had Don there to run to Home Depot to buy five flood lights for the dance floor. I am so glad it is finally over and was a great success!! I wish I had pictures, but I was so busy running around, I didn't have a chance to take any!!!!!!

General Conference was wonderful

Wow. It is so wonderful to hear the words of a prophet. I think my very favorite of all the talks was President Monson's talk and his example of the warm fuzzies sent by a primary class. Warm fuzzies from doing service are the best feelings in the world. Our family vows to renew our efforts to discuss one act of service from each of us a day. Don said "What a pleasure it will be to head that discussion each evening."

I was also extremely impressed by Jeffrey R. Holland's talk about the divinity of the Book of Mormon. What a powerful speaker lies in that apostle. Makes you reaffirm your testimony in the power of the Book of Mormon.