Foundation Dinner

Last night we had the Rotary International Foundation Dinner. Every once in awhile I do like to get all dressed up though and this was the perfect opportunity. I was even recognized at the dinner and had a picture taking with Rick King (of the King Family) who also happens to be a wonderful LDS lawyer. He was our keynote speaker. I have one picture of John, Rick and I. The other is of John, Mary (our GSE team leader) and myself with our District jackets that we will wear in India.

This event was to celebrate Rotary's foundation. We watched a lovely video on all of the good things that Rotary is doing. They had an "iron lung" contraption that people used to have to live in with Polio. To me, I think I would have rather died than whithered away in my own personal capsule/iron lung. Wow, what wonderful things people with money can do....Polio (in 1985) was absolutely rampant. It is currently isolated to 4 countries. Absolutely incredible....I feel honored to be associated with an organization that truly cares for the humanity of all and fights against crippling disease, illiteracy, contaminated water, and so many other ills of the world.

The dinner was of course wonderful (I believe my place at the table was somewhere around $100 or more) as well as the program. Unfortunately, I'm not eating a ton and I think I worried Kathy even more...my plate was more than half full when it "went away" and John got my dessert. I did ask for a cup of hot water (which was quite funny because I was sitting with 4 other LDS people...when I turned over my cup and spoke quietly to the waiter, I had 4 concerned looks. Oh how I love those who care deeply enough for me to make sure I'm following the Word of Wisdom :).

The dinner was down in Tracy and I didn't get home until pretty late. I was all stressed out because I didn't have a chance to look at my primary lesson that I had prepared a week ago. Luckily we had practice for the primary program this morning (but then, I forgot my viola and I'm supposed to play with the primary during one of the songs!). At any rate, church was good, I came home and actually got a couple of hard naps in and now I'm going to prepare some quick bread for some families in the Ward who need some "cheering up".

I can't believe my parents are coming on Tuesday night...I still need to decide when I am taking vacation! I have dinners lined up (John and Kathy, Daniel and Susie) and many people are excited to meet them at Church on Sunday. I will have to run around to practice with Primary for the program (on the 8th of November) so hopefully my parents will feel comfortable enough when I'm off doing what I do. I've already had a couple of men who have offered to "escort" my dad around & the missionaries are always good at that too. So, it should be fine. Also, I'll be going to the temple with them on Saturday (doing my first set of my own relatives!) so they will have the opportunity to meet a few other people too. Hopefully they will feel as welcomed as I do every Sunday.