Rugby

Caleb decided to join the school rugby team. He went to a practice and the coaches said it was too late in the season to sign up, but let him practice with them anyway. Then the coaches saw how fast Caleb can run, so they went up to him and told him who to see so he could register! He has been learning his position and the rules. In rugby you toss the ball back, rather than throw it forward. Last practice he scored two trys, but also thought he cracked some ribs during a tackle (turned out to be bruised rather than broken). This past Saturday was his first game. He did really well and it was fun to watch him play. Here is a small clip of his game. He is jersey #20. I think it's funny as he is wearing his long basketball shorts and everyone else wears short shorts in rugby!

The Importance of Negotiation

Too funny, but messed up, right?

Speechless

Have you ever lost your voice? That is my plight right now, complete with cough and cold. It's happened to me several times before and my kids take pity on me but also secretly delight in it. It's very difficult to nag when you are whispering!!

Indian Salads

Last week I went to lunch with some friends at an Indian restaurant. On the menu it said meals come with rice, salad and Naan bread. My meal came, and had one slice of carrot and one slice of cucumber (sliced across, not lengthwise) on the plate beside the main dish. Yes, that was the salad! haha, I guess they are not big on salads in India. I have to say, the rest of the food was delicious!

My Guilty Pleasure

OK, so I am an American Idol fan! I have been following this season, but it has aired over here in NZ a week later than the US. Most weeks I would already know who got eliminated before I saw it on TV here, because it would be all over the internet etc. Last week they aired a double episode here, so we caught up - kind of. The final performance and finale were scheduled back to back for today, Friday May 22 (which is Thursday in the US). I wanted to watch it on TV here and enjoy it and be surprised even though it is a delayed broadcast. It has been soooo hard to stay away from internet sites and other media this past 24 hours so I can be surprised when I watch. And I am surprised - pleasantly so. Actually I wouldn't have minded who won, as both guys are incredibly talented. But Kris just seems like such a sweet, humble guy. I'm glad he won.

Keeping It All In The Family

Jared's cousin Luke is serving a mission in South Korea. He found and was teaching this Korean lady but got transferred just before her baptism. She still visits him as she has a special place in her heart for Luke. He asked her if there was anyone she could refer to the missionaries and she gave him her daughters name in Australia. Later when she visited Luke again, she said how it was strange because her daughter is being taught by another Elder Ball.
You guessed it - Jared!
I even remember Jared talking about her in one of his emails:

"We have this Golden girl, named Jade. She is Korean. Her mom was baptized last week in Korea, so she referred her daughter to the missionaries here, and now we are teaching her. She is cool as. She's been playing the piano for 10 years. She came to church, and then to a musical fireside that all of us missionaries put on. We even got President Lee to speak at it on the Atonement. It was awesome."

How amazing is that! What a blessing to have two worthy servants of the Lord in our family and that they have been able to bless another family even from two different countries.

Elder Richard G. Scott

We went to a fireside that Richard G. Scott was speaking at last night. It was actually a YSA fireside, but was also open to any members who wanted to attend and I thought Caleb would enjoy it. It was great. Of course, being a YSA fireside there was a lot of talk about dating and finding an eternal companion!
Earlier in the week Caleb brought home a pamphlet from school that had been handed out to all the kids. It was all about knowing if you had an STD (in great detail), addresses and phone numbers of free health clinics that treated STD's or gave out the "morning after pill" etc. While I can see the wisdom in educating young people, I am saddened that equal emphasis wasn't put on the benefits of abstinence. This brochure made it seem like the choice for young people to be intimate before marriage is inevitable.
I am so grateful for gospel teachings and standards that explain the principle behind the commandment of chastity. It was wonderful to hear Elder Scott's counsel to young people. He spoke clearly and eloquently, in language that was respectful, but with no ambiguity. Caleb did enjoy it and he got to shake Elder Scott's hand. I love that the apostles give that opportunity, especially to youth and young adults.