"I Know the Scriptures are True"

Our primary theme for this year has been "I Know the Scriptures are True." My love for the scriptures has grown even more over the past year watching the children of my ward learn about the scriptures and seeing their faith grow has brought so much joy to me. After months of preparation our primary successfully had our program yesterday. The preparation is a little hectic. The weeks leading up you are worrying if the kids are going to know the songs and if they will sing loud enough, or will they behave when they are up there on the stand. I don't know why I worry because these children never cease to amaze me. I am often reminded of how close to the Savior these children really are. I love the spirit they can bring into a meeting without even knowing it. They have such great faith and they never waiver from it. Being in the Primary has definitely brought on a stronger meaning of the scripture "become as a little child." I know that as I become a mother I will see that even more as I go through each day with my children. Through the year that I have served in the Primary it has been a blessing to have the confirmation from the Spirit come to me through the children of the ward.

I was given the opportunity to play my violin while the children sang Praise to the Man. It is definitely one of my favorite hymns and holds a special place in my heart. It takes me back to the moment when I recieved my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love the opportunities I am given to play but they do come with a lot of anxiety. I tend to panic when I play in front of people. I love playing in the comfort of my own home, but I know that it is good for me to share my talent with others. My patriarchal blessing says that I will use my musical abilities as a way to share my testimony. I have found my violing to be a place of comfort. I am not good at speaking in front of people but I love it when I play a hymn and I can feel the Spirit come closer to me.

I love the gospel! I cannot imagine my life without it. It brings such joy and peace into my life. It is so comforting to know the purpose behind this life and know that I am never alone. I love reading from the scriptures and the new lessons I take away each time I read it. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for everything he has given me and he continues to bless me each day.

Fun at the Fair

I love the Eastern Idaho State Fair! I have been craving the food ever since the very beginning of my pregnancy and Saturday and Monday that craving was finally fulfilled. We always have to go to the fair the first few days it starts because Tanner starts potato harvest at the end of the week. We went Saturday night with Devonee and Neal. That whole morning all I could thing about was the candy apples, chocolate covered strawberries, and the italian sodas. I took it easy because I knew we would be back but Tanner went for it in full swing. He was quite proud of himself. :) Devonee, Neal and Tanner braved one ride. The carnival workers always make me kind of skeptic about riding, but they survived. We watched the hypnotist show that night. We watch it every year. We always get a good kick out of the people who voulonteer to make fools of themselves :) Of course we had to stop by Grandpa Wally's restored tractors. We thought he would be there but he wasn't that night. My grandpa usually stands there so he can be sure to tell people that they are his and fill them in on their history. The picture is of me and Tanner infront of one of grandpa's friends restored combine. We tried to get pictures in front of my grandpa's but the lighting was horrible.
Monday we watched the horse races. Tanner got really into it. Ever since we saw the movie Secretariat he informed me that he wants to own a race horse once day... I did find the Indian relay races very entertaining. I can't believe that those boys can so fast on those horses riding bareback and not fall off. Of course we ate some more and that concluded our EISF experience for 2011. Maybe I will sneak over there another day with my mom? :) The fair is definitely one of my favorite things about this part of Idaho. You cannot beat the food. When I lived in Iowa, people would always tell us that their fair was ranked as one of the top in the nation. I will say that it had some cool things to see(a cow sculpted out of butter?), but the food at the EISF definitely beats all. Until next year...already can't wait for that funnel cake!

World's Greatest Dad

Happy 57th Birthday to the best dad I could ever ask for!!

On my mind...

Out of our adversity we might seek our greatest triumphs, and the day may well come that from our challenges we will understand the familiar words "for thy good."

Richard C. Edgley

For some reason Iowa has been on my mind a lot lately. I went over to my parents home yesterday and they said that one of their sister missionaries, Sister Stratton was stopping by. I shouldn't say that I had favorites but this sister was basically a sister to me when my sisters weren't able to be with me. I could not miss out on the opporunity to visit with her again. We spent a couple of hours reminicing on Iowa and shared funny memories. I could see how happy my parents were to have someone else around who truly felt the joy and love of that place that holds such a special place in their hearts.

Sister Stratton, or Carrie, asked my parents what they felt they gained the most from their experience in the mission field. As my parents shared their thoughts I thought about what I would say if someone were to ask me the same question. A lot of the time when people ask me about Iowa I am quick to say that I am so glad that I was able to come home and when people ask if I miss it, truthfully most of the time I say no. BUT there is a bit reason why and as I have gotten older I regret saying no, because Iowa truly does hold a special place in my heart.

Iowa has been on my mind lately because it truly was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I had to leave my home, family and friends and start over in a new place. It was hard! I cried myself to sleep a lot. I remember my first day of school when I got home I just cried. Things got easier as time went on, but it never became home for me. I was blessed to have made great friendships and I had amazing experiences with my parents and missionaries but I always missed home. I was able to return home for the last half of my junior year and I finally felt like myself again

The greatest blessing or lesson I gained from that experience was how strongly I came to know that my Heavenly Father was aware of my struggles and that he was always by my side. I truly came to know of his love for me and feel his constant companionship as I went through hard times. I have been given many opportunities to reflect back on those three years and I have truly come to know that it was an experience I was meant to go through. Even though it was hard, I know that it was meant for me good. It has definitely become a reference point for me in my life when other trials come my way. It helps me to remember that I must always put my faith and trust in the Lord and he will help guide me through and I will come out stronger. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and the love of my Heavenly Father that helps me through this life.

Dirscoll Reunion 2011

This past weekend we traveled to Island Park for a reunion with my parents and my siblings. We were definitely in need of a little get away. Even though it was only a weekend it felt so good to forget about real life for 72 hours. I went up a day early with my mom and helped her get a lot of the food and the cabin ready for the rest of the family. I forgot my camera so I had to rely on my sister Heather and I am so that she sent me a few of her snapshots. My mom's parents have a cabin just down the way from the Driscoll family cabin. We planned on a few of us staying down there and we soon found out that we had a few visitors...BATS! Eric's family stayed there the first night and killed 4 bats. Little Brooklynn told me that Batman visited them :) My mom asked me if Tanner and I would stay down there, I feel bad but I said no way! My mom along with my dad, Devonee, and Neal braved the bat invested cabin. They weren't visited the first night, but on the second night they killed 5. It was so nice to be surrounded by family for the weekend. A few of us went to the Playmill Theater and got our tradition scoop of ice cream from our favorite parlor in West Yellowstone. Saturday was full of boating and riding the four wheeler. Saturday night we had dinner around the camp fire and mom's homemade ice cream. A few of us played games late into the night and enjoyed lots of laughter. Devonee's boyfriend Neal told her that he found it really neat that our family was so close to one another. I truly feel that when we are together. We laugh for hours and I never get tired of their company. I am so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families and the gift that it is to know that I will be with them forever.

Neal was a hit when he brought the 4-wheeler that actually worked

It looks like a leisurely tube ride, but Braden really punched it after this picture was taken

what great little helpers grandma has!

Saturday night hot dog roast

Brooklynn loves hanging out with Great Grandpa Dan

Our best attempt at getting all nine grandkids together for a picture

Can't wait till next year!

"Sure Love Ya!"

Last Monday I was able to attend Chet Wahlen's funeral service with my parents. The Driscoll/Wahlen friendship has been there for years and I loved learning so much more about Chet and the great person that he was. President Lankford got up at the end to give a few remarks and he told a story about how everytime he got off the phone with Chet he would say, "Sure love ya!" I thought that was so neat! During the closing song my dad slipped me a note a little piece of paper that said, "Krystle, Sure love ya! Love, Dad" I looked over to smile at him and he had a small tear in his eye. It was a very tender moment for the both of us. I kept that note and I put it in my scriptures. I love my dad so much. He has done so much for me in my life and every time I talk to him on the phone he asks if there is anything he can do for me. He is always thinking of others and continues to be one of the greatest examples for me in my life.

Sure love ya dad!

Goodbye Harry...Goodbye Childhood

With the last movie out, it is hard for me to believe that there is no more Harry Potter. I feel like my childhood has officially ended. Harry Potter was the first series of books that really got me interested in reading. My mom surprised me with the 5th of 6th books as they came out. I even had to chase down the mailman for my 7th book, because he thought no one was home and he was taking it back to the post office. I love the characters of these books and J.K. Rowling's writing is amazing. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is by far one of the best books I have ever read. I was eleven when I read the first book. That is my niece Halle's age. She finally got into them this year and she went through all seven books so fast and started the series over recently. It makes me very happy to see that another genereation is going to fall in love with Harry all over again. I can't wait to read them to my kids!