oh, what a wonderful ward

This is the Inwood building where we meet for church. I believe it is about 8 years old. It is a beautiful building and looks quite like a typical Mormon church inside except for the elevator and the fact that the primary, nursery, priesthood room, and most classrooms are upstairs. Sarah, of course, loves the elevator and must take it every Sunday to get to nursery. The stairs are not nearly good enough. There is also an underground parking garage. (Law & Order is always trying to get access to the building as it is perfect for filming. It has parking, bathrooms, a kitchen, and lots of space. Apparently, they keep getting told no, but I think it makes a great fundraiser for the youth.)

We have a wonderful ward with great people. One of the reasons I was willing to move out here was to experience what the church was like outside of Utah, and I have certainly experienced what the members are like out here. Everyone is very friendly and willing to serve. I have never experienced an outpouring of service quite of this magnitude from ward members before in my life, and I have been privileged to live in some great wards with people who have been truly giving. When I broke my arm, I couldn't believe how helpful and giving people were-people that I really didn't even know. Many people offered to watch Sarah or bring in meals. People I had only just met were stopping me in the hall to give me their phone number and offer to help. Several people came to my house or met me at the park to take Sarah while I went to the doctor. Others called on the phone at just the moment when I needed something. After the baby was born, my visiting teacher called and helped to set up meals-five nights of dinners (most of them from people I had never even met)-even after I told her my mom was here and we were doing fine. I have been amazed at the willingness to serve and give from the members here in my ward. I'm lucky to be so blessed.