BYU 77th Ward

Last week Darren and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.

Just over four years ago I packed up and moved out of Alta Apartments, starting a new chapter in life. I don't believe anything has really changed in the 77th ward in the last four years.

Morgan McDuffie is still the Elders Quorum president. Thomas Grover is the executive secretary. Scotty is taking pictures of all the new people in the ward after church is over. Don't miss it, or else your picture won't be included in the new ward menu.

Elspeth is giving a Gospel Doctrine lesson about something in the Old Testament. She's comparing a scene from the latest Lord of the Rings movie to whatever gospel principle we're discussing. Wow, that girl is smart!

Amy Glauser is still the choir director. Choir practice is at 3:00 in the Lounge. We probably won't have many tenors and basses there, but they'll do their best to make Amy laugh through the whole practice.

Bishop Hawkes is standing up in Sacrament meeting, talking about relationships, and calling Sister Hawkes up to stand by his side. She's smiling at him and looking a little self-conscious.

Brother McDonald has pulled out his hanky again and is wiping tears away and blowing his nose during the closing song. Paul Bankhead is playing the hymns on the piano at super lightning speed.

Sarah Zachreson is getting excited about trigonometry, and telling the mountain goat joke. Her laugh is the greatest sound in the world.

There's a group of us hiking Timp this Saturday. We're leaving at 3:30 a.m. Want to come??

Stu, Wade, and Phil went off-roading in Phil's jeep again this weekend. Nobody's really sure exactly what Phil does. We all secretly suspect he's with the CIA. Morgan is making his famous caramel cheesecake, and his bowtie pasta salad with peppered bacon. You don't want to miss his blind date stories. Greg Stevens still drives his little red truck and talks about becoming a pilot and finding his “sassy” dream girl someday.

Don't forget to come to Ward Waffles this Sunday morning at 9:00 in 204. And ward prayer will be in the Lounge at 8:00 p.m. We'll sing Happy Birthday to Spencer. Again. Is this his fifth birthday in the last couple months?

Another Bastian sister just moved into the ward. How many of them are there? Thomas is hanging around Erin a lot these days. He's obviously interested, and as for her. . . well, it's only a matter of time.

The two Hansen brothers are going on double dates and synchronizing their door opening and closing.

Becky Bailey is hosting Celebration of Life again this Thursday in 313. Come and eat ice cream!

If you want a shower, you'll have to go up to campus, because all the water is shut off, and Maxine never warned us. Oh, and you might want to remind her again about that light in the vanity area that burned out two weeks ago.

The Maryland boys—Mike, Dave, and Ben—are disrupting the FHE lesson with their usual off-the-wall comments, but they're still the best FHE brothers in the whole world. They're going on their weekly Monday night Macey's run. Dave towers over you and asks if you want to come. How can you refuse?

Sister Hawkes is still teaching Institute on Tuesday nights at the chapel next door. We're talking about the Book of Mormon this year. Don't miss out on the pie and ice cream provided by Brother and Sister Cherry!

Will Ashby is still wearing his green John Deere jacket and a huge smile, and Mike and Eric are going out for a run this evening, preparing for their next half marathon. Debbie has a softball game tomorrow night—don't miss it! Todd is going mountain biking again. Don't get him started talking about Maxine.

That cute boy from the 56th ward is doing his laundry right now. I'm sure I've got something that needs washing. . . do I have any more quarters?

Lisa and Lori are still inseparable, and Mandy is still making up songs on her guitar and knitting hats for anyone who asks—but there's a long waiting list.

Nancy and Wade are talking together after Ward Prayer. Are they dating again? Looks suspicious.

George's engagement to his missionary fell through, which means he'll be staying in the ward. We're all trying to feel sad for him, but. . . George is staying! And he's available!

Cleaning checks will be this Saturday. Good luck trying to find a time to wax the floor.

The annual Thanksgiving dinner will be at Springhaven Lodge again this year. The food will be good, but the best part is that the Hawkes will be bringing Stan and Amanda. You can be sure Stan will say something hilarious and Sister Hawkes will just die.

Alexander is filming another movie, with Robert and Adam as accomplices. I think it has something to do with Vikings. Or was it Pirates?

What do you remember?