Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Mr. President

 

Since we are Inside the White House, it is appropriate that we have a president living here. Kent is the new 2008-09 president of the Utah Valley Sunrise Club for Rotary International. For those of you who don't know what Rotary is--including me up until a few months ago--I'll first tell you what it's not. I thought Kent just went to these weekly meetings to hang out with his dad, have a yummy breakfast at the Marriott, do some networking, and listen to guest speakers. But I learned today that I was only partially right or completely wrong on those points. (Kent, feel free to edit, as I still don't have a full grasp on the organization.) Rotary is a service organization. The club meets for some socializing, but the focus is on doing good in the community and worldwide. They organize local service projects, support a youth exchange program (like foreign exchange students), and also donate money and efforts to eradicate polio, supply fresh water, and educate impoverished people around the globe. The members support each other's efforts and have guest speakers educate club members about the service that other citizens in our community do.

I'm glad I could join Kent this morning and see this part of his life. I sometimes think it would be very enlightening for him to switch places with me for a day or two, and realize the demands of motherhood, keeping a house, and working in my callings. But I learned today that I should turn that idea around and look at what his daily life is like. He participates in volunteer work, basically runs A Child's Hope Foundation and keeps the vision alive there while providing an income for our family, maintains strong friendships, and comes home ready to love and play with his family. I could go on and on, but the point is that I'm grateful to have Kent in my life. He is a great man. He balances me well and he is my best friend.
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3 comments:

Charlotte said...

I never knew what a rotary club was either. Sounds cool. At home, do you call him Mr. President or His Excellency? ;o)

mindy said...

very cool! I did know that the Rotary club was involved in service (yay me!) but that's about the extent of it.

And I can relate to your feelings about switching places. I try to be sympathetic to the stresses of David's life, but I sure have a hard time getting outside of my own stress sometimes.

Jenni said...

That's so cool! What an honor! Your blog entry made me tear up (I'm not sure if it was due to your relationship or the time of the month!)

Tell Kent congrats from us!