Hello! My name is Shannon. I was born in Salt Lake City and am the seventh of nine children. I spent my growing up years in Salt Lake, Tucson, and a tiny little town in the Black Hills of northeastern Wyoming near Devils Tower. As a kid, I loved to run track and cross country, play basketball and, of course, was a cheerleader. I graduated from high school in Rapid City, SD, having had the opportunity to live with Jack Weyland (the famous LDS author) and his family. I attended Rick's College and majored in boys, and sometimes went to class. I loved (and still love) music. With less than two formal years of piano, I basically taught myself to play the piano and even played keyboards in a band in college. My husband, Kent, and I have been married forever... well, really it's been 30 years this month. We have three great kids, 2 that are married, five greater grandkids, We've spent most of our married life living in Northern Virginia, with two stints overseas, Panama and Greece. Moving to our current home is our 17th and hopefully our last move for awhile. Speaking of my husband, you may notice that I'm alone a lot at church. Yes, he's active (I think) but spends at least six months a year in and out of the Middle East. I've always been fiercely independent so his time away gives me time to do a lot of those hard-to-find-time-for things (spending money, goofing off, etc.) that I can never find the time to do when he whirlwinds through. I love spending time with my grandkids (and if I have to, my kids), travel, reading, sports, trying new restaurants, whipping up on my husband (which I do a lot) at Phase 10, and most importantly, attending and working in the temple. One thing I can actually use the 'H' word about is shoes... can't stand 'em, never could, and never will. I used to ride horses and run track barefoot. No respect for the shoe.... none. My testimony is simple. I know that God lives and loves me. I know that Thomas S. Monson is God's mouthpiece on the earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Although many of you have heard this story, it's my favorite. My strongest desire is to know my Savior intimately and have him be proud of my life. He is my friend and I am working hard to know him, not just know about him: A man died, was resurrected and waiting in a room to be interviewed. Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the first man entered and the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interviewer began: "I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ." "Well, he was born of Mary in Bethlehem; he lived 33 years, spending the last three organizing the church, choosing his Apostles, and giving the gospel to direct our lives." The interviewer stopped him and said, "Yes, yes, that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ." "Well, he suffered and died so that we could have eternal life. Three days later he was resurrected so that we might return to Heavenly Father." "Yes, yes, that is true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ." The man, a little perplexed, began again. "Well, he restored the gospel in its fulness to the earth through Joseph Smith, reorganized his church, gave us temples so we could do work to save our dead. He gave us personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation." The interviewer again stopped him and said, "All that you have told me is true." The man was then invited to leave the room.
After he left, the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interviewer he fell upon his knees and cried, "My Lord, my God." -author unknown
To do your visiting teaching for this month. Let your sisters know you are thinking of them by giving them a sweet treat and warm message. If you are looking for something fun to make, try one of my favorites, eclairs.
Josie Fritzsche, one of our cute young women, recently started a cleaning business called the 
Elain Y. is looking for a good pediatrician for her soon to be bundle of joy. If you have any recommendations, please leave a comment on the blog or contact Elain.
· Enrichment Canning Activity: Sign up if you want to attend the canning activity August 29th. The location of the activity will depend on how many sisters sign up (church building or a home). Marielle Jordan and Kathy Buhler will be teaching us how to mak Jams/Jelly and how to can peaches. Sister’s aren’t required to bring anything. Contact Rozaria Bennett if you are interested in attending.
Reading's welcomed their third little boy into their family this past Monday at 4:45pm. Their 9lbs. 2oz. 20 inch long baby boy has yet to be named.
