Shouldn't it really be called FUN-do?

Yesterday morning I was at Costco, buying some last minute necessities for our Fondue Party. I walked in out of the cold gray day and had to blink to remember where I was. I saw two faces that I recognized so clearly; not from Utah, but from Washington. There in front of me were my old bishop and his wife. Our bishop, from our very first ward as a married couple. He called me to my first calling in Young Women’s, three weeks a newly wed, making me the Beehive advisor. He called Peter to serve in the Elder’s Quorum Presidency, and a bit later as Young Men’s President. He made me my first Camp Director, and put complete trust in me. We were “Ma and Pa” on a Pioneer Trek in that ward, and Seminary teachers. I tell you this, because these times were all before children, all before we were 25 years old, and things have never been like this for us since. After a wonderful talk, full of laughs and memories, I called Peter and told him I had seen the Cardon’s, and how much I loved them, I almost cried.

As the day went on and I continued my Swiss Preparations, (fondue, you know, is Swiss) I kept thinking about that time in our life. We were living in that ward, hosting an Elder’s Quorum activity at our house, the first time I had fondue. I couldn’t believe someone had collected fondue pots and that we were actually going to be eating it as a meal. Bo-ring…or so I thought. Of course it was one of the most fun nights ever, and made me a crazy woman, bound and determined to collect ugly 70’s pots and forks. I had a new reason to hunt through Goodwill and Value Village; Fondue Pots!!

But the thoughts continued into those of love and friends. Of how many wonderful times we had there, how many loved ones we left when we moved. And of how quickly we were welcomed into that ward, and trusted with their youth. By Bishop Cardon trusting us, he gave us the opportunity to shine and grow, and we rose to the occasion. Experiences that we have taken with us and relied on, everyday, through these past twelve and a half years. He filled our buckets with testimony, trust, growth, leadership, knowledge and love. I am so thankful for his judgment and giving us these opportunities. Through hard times, and tough ward experiences, I realize now how much I rely on the past to 'fill my bucket.' Seeing them again, I felt like I did then; full of energy, life and a desire to serve others.

So as our friends arrived last night, cubed treats in arm, ready to be stabbed, dipped or fried, I saw the clock move forward, and our lives now; how wonderful they are here and now. These past “lives” as I call them, are indispensable. But they have made us who we are now. I looked at the people there last night, our friends, and saw lives from all over the U.S. brought together in Utah. At a fondue party. People from four different stakes, and five wards. People from Florida, Texas, Washington, California, Oklahoma, and Utah. All here, in our house, dipping, and chatting, and laughing. Building friendships, and reaching out to each other. I’m so thankful for where we are. I have tried to pray myself out of this place for nearly nine years. And luckily, Heavenly Father hasn’t given in. He loves me and knows what I need. His recipe? A little humbling (okay, a lot), a little reaching out to others, some growing, some eating of my own words, love from others and for others, and a willingness to let Him guide “the ship.”

In the end, fondue has brought me full circle, in more than ways than one. (haha) It has helped me make new friends, and keep old ones. These old smelly pots and forks have dipped through generations now, being that they are “antiques.” I hope that we will be “dipping” for years to come. Last night, in the glow of the kitchen lights, as I loaded the dishwasher and was finishing up the ‘clean up’, I told Peter I had to do one more thing. I didn’t want the forks to soak in the water all night, “They’re real wood, you know. I want them to last long enough to give to the kids for their wedding presents."

I want to arm them with the gift of personal growth and friendship, as well.

A little “Rock Band” doesn’t hurt either.

(Now, that’s something to look forward to, huh? Don’t tell the kids though, I wouldn’t want them to rush into marriage, just to get the fondue gear.)

So if you’re reading this, and you have Fondue-d with us before, we miss you! I hope you have fond memories. And if you are reading this and haven’t, I hope you will soon! AND, if you’re reading this and we aren’t in the same area, call me! I’ll give you the recipes, some pot and fork tips, and you can have your own!

Thanks again for coming, everyone. We had a great time, and hope you did too.