Lessons Learned!

So as of September 30th Nathan and I have had our callings for one year. And this post is dedicated to those things that I have learned as being a Bishops wife for one year.
Not exactly sure where to start so I'll just type things as they come to mind.

I need to be more kind to people that are in need of service.

Don't judge people. You don't always know the whole story.

I have learned that forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer someone.  And ourselves.
I have learned that many know about Jesus Christ but more of us could make an effort to know Him.
I have learned that the strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.
I have learned that the sins of parents profoundly affect children.  And are often repeated by them.
I have learned that affection from parents profoundly affects children.
- See more at: http://www.russhillmedia.com/2013/03/19/confessions-of-a-mormon-bishop/#sthash.x4y2fixe.dpuf

I have learned that forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer someone.  And ourselves.
I have learned that many know about Jesus Christ but more of us could make an effort to know Him.
I have learned that the strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.
I have learned that the sins of parents profoundly affect children.  And are often repeated by them.
I have learned that affection from parents profoundly affects children.
- See more at: http://www.russhillmedia.com/2013/03/19/confessions-of-a-mormon-bishop/#sthash.x4y2fixe.dpuf

I have learned that forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer someone.  And ourselves.
I have learned that many know about Jesus Christ but more of us could make an effort to know Him.
I have learned that the strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.
I have learned that the sins of parents profoundly affect children.  And are often repeated by them.
I have learned that affection from parents profoundly affects children.
- See more at: http://www.russhillmedia.com/2013/03/19/confessions-of-a-mormon-bishop/#sthash.x4y2fixe.dpuf

I have learned that forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer someone.  And ourselves.
I have learned that many know about Jesus Christ but more of us could make an effort to know Him.
I have learned that the strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.
I have learned that the sins of parents profoundly affect children.  And are often repeated by them.
I have learned that affection from parents profoundly affects children.
- See more at: http://www.russhillmedia.com/2013/03/19/confessions-of-a-mormon-bishop/#sthash.x4y2fixe.dpuf

That the sins of parents profoundly affect children;  And are often repeated by them.

Affection from parents profoundly affects children.

I have learned that many know about Jesus Christ but more of us could make an effort to know Him.

I have learned that the strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.
I have learned that the sins of parents profoundly affect children.  And are often repeated by them.
I have learned that affection from parents profoundly affects children.
- See more at: http://www.russhillmedia.com/2013/03/19/confessions-of-a-mormon-bishop/#sthash.x4y2fixe.dpuf

I have learned that forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer someone.  And ourselves.
I have learned that many know about Jesus Christ but more of us could make an effort to know Him.
I have learned that the strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.
I have learned that the sins of parents profoundly affect children.  And are often repeated by them.
I have learned that affection from parents profoundly affects children.
- See more at: http://www.russhillmedia.com/2013/03/19/confessions-of-a-mormon-bishop/#sthash.x4y2fixe.dpuf

Despite what people think the Bishop does have a life outside of being Bishop. He has a job and so he isn't home during work hours. If you need to schedule an appointment with the Bishop call the Executive Secretary to make an appointment, and no that isn't me.

The strongest among us are those with the cleanest mirrors.

Just because we're the Bishop's family doesn't automatically make us a perfect family, or the perfect role models by any means. But I feel like we are placed on a pedestal and are constantly being watched, which causes more stress for the family.


It is true that the blessings pour out to us, but we also have Satan tempting us just as much, if not more, to take a swim in that sea of sin.

Forgiveness is the greatest gift we can offer someone-and ourselves.

Your list of  things -to make- for friends and neighbors for Christmas just tripled in size. But also people who never have given you something all of a sudden do.

It's really nice to get invited to all personal events that take place with those that live in our ward boundaries. So I must have a supply of gifts on hand and ready to go for any and all of these occasions that tend to come up.

Nathan is known as the burying Bishop. I believe in the past year he has had 8 funerals. Yikes!

I'm not judging in anyway, but it is amazing to me how many people mail their tithing, or express pay it every month.

I have learned being happy is a choice.
 
Just because you tell the Bishop something doesn't by any means mean that he tells his wife, in fact I feel like I'm the last to know anything that is or isn't going on. And most things that he gets told I don't even care to know - and don't because he doesn't tell me.


Churches are not museums or catwalks for perfected saints but labs for sinners. 

I need to make sure that Nathan always has a clean white shirt, which sometimes means doing an extra load of whites during the week, or buy him more white shirts. ;)

It's also OK to make your own decisions that are best for the calling which you have. The Bishop doesn't need to help or give approval from - for- every thing- some things yes, but not everything. When you got your calling you were set apart for that calling, which gives you the right to receive revelation for the calling which you have. But the Bishop is doing his very best to do whatever is asked of him.

There’s more sadness in this world than I had realized.

There is also more goodness in this world than I had realized.

A habit of one brief moment of spirituality a day can alter one’s entire direction.

His time is precious to his family and we understand that with this call it is also limited. So the time that we do have is ours and we don't like to share it much.

Those preoccupied with serving others have less time to count their problems.

Just because we live with the Bishop doesn't mean that we see him all the time. Sometimes we have to go to the church just to see him.


I think that I could go on and on, but I better quit because I might be in big trouble for being so blunt. Just remember this is a post on Things that I've Learned my first year as being a Bishops wife. I know that our family is being blessed for the sacrifices that our Bishop is making, but knowing this doesn't always make it easy.

Indeed, I have learned the lesson that I have much to learn.

Grandpa Searle

Today is my Grandpa Searle's Birthday, Happy Birthday Grandpa We love and miss you so much! He left us 8 years ago. He was the best Grandpa a girl could ask for! I loved his sense of humor. He could always bring a smile to my face and loved to tease us. He is the really only "true" cowboy that I've ever met.

Picture from my Aunt Laurel

He really didn't like to go to the movies, but he was always with his horses taking care of them and loved to race those chariots. He was a man that I admired in so many ways. For years he had this handle bar mustache and that was just him. One day at a meeting some general authority came and told him that it had to go. Needless to say he came home that night and off came the mustache. Grandma was so mad. What a testimony builder and example to set for not only me, but all that knew him. I love and miss him so much and am looking forward to the day when we shall meet again!

General Conference October 2013

We have a wonderful tradition for General Conference, we make a tent for the kids and buy all sorts of treats and munchies to snack on while we are watching and listening to the speakers.  We  have Conference Bingo and print out some fun pages for the younger kids to do while they listen as well.
Conference is always so good. But this year I got a little silly...

Salem got creative with the cheeze-its

To listen to Octobers General Conference Click here
Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

First Day of School

Wow, School sure is starting early this year.

MaKelle Junior in High School, Landen a Sophmore, Salem 6th Grade at the Junior High, and Brooklyn 4th grade. When did they grow up to be so big?!?!?!
Sorry picture taken by phone, because Nathan took the camera to work. I also tried to get one of them jumping off the porch but my phone just wasn't going to let that happen so this is what you get. Better than nothing right?

May 2013

O.K. I admit it I have been really terrible at blogging lately. I hope to do better.

MaKelle turned 16 on the 9th and was able to get her drivers license on the 16th. It came in the mail on June 2. I can not believe that I have one old enough to date and drive.  I know that I'm old enough to, but it just seems like she was born yesterday. I might add though that it is really nice to have another driver in the family who is responsible and dependable and trust worthy!
My Precious Miracle baby MaKelle. Started out as a premie and ended up being taller then me, only by a few inches though. I sure could use a whole lot more MaKelle's in my life. I love her to death. She is a daughter of God and she knows it. She is very beautiful, smart, great piano and flute player, athletic, and fun to be around. I love her with all my heart!
Because of busy crazy schedules she didn't have her party until much later, but had a bunch of guy/girls over to eat, play games, eat, play more games, eat, watch a movie, and oh did I mention eat!
It was a bunch of fun and she even let her siblings play as well. Sorry no pictures of that party. Boo!

Young Women in Excellence

Being in the Stake Young Women I get the opportunity to go to several YW in excellences in our stake and each one is so different, but each so good! They all have helped me in having something that I needed to hear or see. We have wonderful YW in our stake that I believe have truly been saved for such a time as this. 

I love that I get the opportunity to serve with such amazing YW, and leaders.

But that will possibly be another post for another day. This one I would like to brag about my absolutely wonderful daughter. She seems to get it. I'm not saying that she is perfect, because that just wouldn't be fair to her, but I seriously couldn't have asked for a better daughter. I love you MaKelle Megan Goodrich with all my heart.

This year she has been working on getting her personal progress award, and has been very diligent in getting it finished up. She is learning to set goals and to keep "progressing" in life. Since MaKelle was 4 years old she has been playing soccer and really enjoying it. Granted I often wondered when at four she would be more interested in the dandelions in the field then the game that was going on. But she stuck with it and was asked to play on a traveling competition team. She has pretty much played with the same group of girls ever since. One draw back is that these girls are pretty much a whole year older then her and so she hasn't been buddy buddy with any one person on the team and has kind of felt left out several times. 

But to make a long story short she has stuck with it and now that these girls are Seniors and MaKelle is a Junior she has made the decision to not play on the competition team this year. This has been a really hard decision for MaKelle to make and it has been all her. Her father and I have counseled her when she has come asking for advice, but we have never told her which choice to make. This past year she has really been trying to be honest in ALL her dealings and some girls on the team and coaches haven't been totally honest in their dealings and this was really hard for MaKelle. She has NEVER played on Sunday, most of her team has. When the coaches have told these girls to run 4 laps, she runs 4 laps, even when all the rest say they ran 4 when actually it was 3. I have just been really pleased with the decisions that she is making in her life. She goes about things the "right" way. Prayer and Scripture Study and lots of pondering and reflecting. She is such an amazing example even to me that I can't help but love her. MaKelle reads her scriptures both morning and night before she goes to bed or comes out of her room. It doesn't matter how late she gets home or how early she has to get up to fit everything in that she wants to do. She knows it's important and she does it.

I rarely have to ask her to practice or do her homework she just does it on her own and still does really well in all that she encounters. Our family is truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and role model for the rest of her siblings to look up to. Thanks MaKelle for truly being a Daughter of God and setting such a good example for others. You even inspire me to be better, and I am very pleased to call you mine and to be your mother!

Look Who's Over the Hill

Doesn't he look good for 40? I think so.

We girls went into his office while he was at scout camp and decorated it with black balloons and crape paper, confetti, and a door sign. It was a lot of fun...

Thursday, June 27 the love of my life turned 40.

Then we turned our house into a Inn. The Goodrich Inn to be exact. We were planning on doing it for Father's day, but since Salem and Brooklyn were at my Mom's we did it on his birthday instead. The kids made all the signs and I made sure we had the food that was on the menu's for room service. It was a really fun day and the kids got along so well which is always a plus. Just goes to prove that when you are in the service of your fellow beings you can't fight and be grumpy. We should do this more often.
 

April 2013

April
The month of April in our family brings a slew of birthday's, and an anniversary, no not Nathan's and mine.
General Conference was totally amazing. As usual we made our tent facing the T.V. for the kids to watch. And of course bought yummy treats to eat while we're listening. The kids really look forward to this and plus it is fun, especially making sure the "teenagers" stay awake.
After the morning session on Saturday we got to go to Skyler Goodrich's baptism. At first we weren't going to be able to go because of a soccer game out in the city, but it got canceled and so we were able to go, I'm so glad we did. The Spirit was very strong and it was a wonderful baptism. MaKelle and Rachel got to play If the Savior Stood Beside Me on the flute and cello, with Anne Marie accompanying them on the piano. They did a marvelous job! Then we had dinner out at the pavilion. It was a bit breezy, but it was fun and great food none the less.

The next weekend we got to celebrate Landen's birthday and attend another baptism, this one was for Morgan Brown, my brother's daughter. She looked so pretty in her dress.

 It was a wonderful baptism, the difference between the two was Skyler's was more personal, because we could plan that one ourselves, and Morgan, although it was still good was just really different because it was a whole stake. Anyway after the baptism we went to the Relief Society room to wait and the gentlemen that was presiding asked if anyone knew how to play the piano. Well Nathan and I tried to urge MaKelle to go play, but my sister Mindy already volunteered MaKelle to do so. I'm so glad that she did. She played How Great Thou Art with her own embleshiments and it was wonderful! Everytime I feel the Spirit my high water tables have a tendency to spill out down my face. She was amazing I wish I would have recorded it. And the gentlemen presiding over the meeting told her to never hide that talent. Needless to say I was one pleased Momma!
For Landen's birthday since we were out in Salt Lake area we just celebrated it at my parents house and he got to have all the cousins there for cake and ice cream. A rare treat for our family since we live farther away from my family. He had a great time and got most all that he wanted.

Landen, Salem, and Brooklyn all had dentist appointments. Salem and Landen only got a cleaning, and Brooklyn had to have 2 cavities filled. She didn't like that to much, but in the end she said it was better then a root canal that she had to have last time. We also took Landen and Salem to the Dr. my little sweet Salem is going to be in Junior High next year and needed shots for that, and Landen was a follow up for some medicine that will help him to focus better. Lately Landen has been our worry. He is currently not getting the best grades, not sleeping at night, and not eating. He won't talk to Nathan (which means our Bishop as well), or I, so I took it upon myself to get him scheduled to see a therapist or counselor and that appointment isn't until May 14, but hopefully we can get him worked through this. I know that he has struggled with bulling issues, a friend commit suicide, and other hard issues that he has had to work through. I know that we can get through this too. I hope! ;)

Holy Moley!

Boy time sure does fly I can't seem to get or take a chance to blog anymore. I've noticed that I'm not the only one, thank goodness for that.
A lot has happened since I last posted so I'll try to do post month by month. Not sure how this will go since I've really been a slacker at taking pictures of things as well. Then as I was down loading pictures to my computer ended up deleting some off the camera that I thought were down loaded, but ended up not being. GRRR! But there is nothing I can do about it, but try and do better. :)
January
On January 6 we went to Bevyn's baby blessing. She is my brother Scott's newest and boy is she a sweetie.

I got this picture off Becca's face book page and it was taken by Jamie Russell Broderick! Isn't she just adorable! Salem even drew his own picture of Bevyn off of this picture and did a fantastic job, but did I think to take a picture of it no. :( Bad mom I know.
With my new calling in the Stake Young Women we have had the opportunity to attend the wards New Beginnings. I have tried to learn the names of all the Young Women in the Stake. I will admit I've got my work cut out for me. But I'm grateful for the challenge and am excited to get to know each one of them.
At the end of the month Nathan and I got the opportunity to go to see a good friend of mine get her endownments out and be sealed to her family! What an amazing experience it was. Congratulations to the Bill and Chrissie Davies Family! You're now Forever and Always!

February

On February 22 my Salem turned 11. I can't believe he is 11 we just got him yesteryear. He worked hard to get his Webelos badge and his arrow of light. We just had a small family party with him this year. Every Year I let the kids decide what they want to have for dinner and he chose Subway. Brownies for his birthday cake, with ice cream. His Birthday pictures are the ones that got deleted. Booo. At least I have this one!  :)

March

The end of March was not only Easter, but Brooklyn's birthday as well. She was so excited that her birthday was on Easter. Since it was Sunday she chose German Pancakes for her birthday dinner, which was totally fine with me! She is now 9 years old and still loves animals and especially running around like a horse on her hands and knees, that is why she almost always has holes in the knees of her pants.  She chose Yellow cake with blue frosting and sprinkles, with Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream.

Easter was fun we stayed home colored eggs and had an Easter egg Hunt. We have one "Special Golden" Egg that is left empty to remind them of the tomb being found empty Easter morning and Landen found it this year, just like last year. On Sunday the Easter Bunny came and hid the kids baskets and gave them some new Easter clothes. The Boys got matching ties, MaKelle a shirt and Brooklyn a skirt.