Official Sabey Saga

Here is our official Sabey Saga for the month. Allen started this “blog” so we could write our monthly updates on here, but I like writing on it more than Allen does. So since this is going on the Blog, we decided I would write the Sabey Saga this month… And Allen has been a little busy with final papers, projects and preparing for finals.
March and April have been quite eventful. Allen competed in his dance competition (Dancesport). Although he didn’t go as far as he would have liked, he still did really well. The video of him dancing is down below. A couple of our friends did not know that he could dance so well or shake his hips like that. So Allen’s new nickname among some of our friends is “Hips.” Watch the video...you will understand.
Allen also competed in his first official BYU Ultimate Frisbee game. He has been practicing with the team most of the year, but now it is official. They played against BYU-Idaho’s team and the won by a long shot. All the players on the team are very talented (including Allen). About a year ago, right before we got married, Allen sprained his ankle while playing soccer. His ankle hasn’t really been the same since. He has tried to play soccer once about a month ago and it hurt to do so. Although soccer is Allen’s passion, I am glad that he can play Frisbee as an outlet until his ankle completely heals.
This last month Allen also took his Norwegian language test. It is an opportunity for him to gain Norwegian credit without having to take classes. He just got his results today. After taking the test, he gained 12 credits of As. We are hoping that will help him keep his scholarship for next year.
As for me… I always miss Julee, Nate, Jenna, Amber, Lukas, Richard, Jackie, Sam, and Ryan, but as Easter approached I found myself missing them more than usual. For the last 5 years I have spent Easter with them. I loved seeing the little girls in their Easter dresses. So this year, I was at a loss of what to do. We toyed with the idea of calling Jackie’s parents and going up there. I called Laurel and she suggested that we invite someone over and cook an Easter dinner for them. We bought everything we would need to make an Easter dinner, but the day before Easter my friend Katie invited us to an Easter picnic. I opted for that option since I wouldn’t have to be in the kitchen all Sunday. It was quite fun because we went to the same park we took our engagement pictures so we had to take a few reenactment pictures.

But the following Saturday we had some friends over and I cooked our “Easter dinner,” where I cooked my first ham. I think it turned out okay thanks to Julee.
As most of you know, teaching has been quite the rollercoaster for me this year. This last month has definitely felt that way. There are always the lows, but I have had quite a few highs. My students had a “grand concert” and a school play. They all did so well and it was great to see them doing activities that they really enjoy. I have had some lessons that have gone really well and it always surprises me what interests them. For instance, I thought I had planned this great lesson on the Alamo. I had video clips and stories and debates and they all weren’t that interested. But when I bring up Sacagawea they all go crazy and love her. I asked why every 8th grader knows who Sacagawea is and I had a student yell out, “Because she is FINE!” When I showed them a real picture of her this was their reply, “that’s not how she looks in Night At the Museum.” Even though these 8th graders sometimes make me cry, at least they make me laugh too. This last week, I thought they were going to be really bored during our lesson on the Industrial Revolution, but they loved it. I think it helped that I could talk about my experiences at the saw mill and the assembly line I worked on. They didn’t believe me so I am going to have to bring pictures of me on the fork lift. While I do enjoy my job, I am really looking forward to spring break. One whole week off… Wahoo!
A couple other exciting moments in March… My students had their first three track meets. I have some students who really work hard and it shows. And they won their first meet last week. Second and more importantly, one of my best friends Laura Krebs came to visit. Although her trip wasn’t as enjoyable for, I am sure glad she came!!!
Last weekend, we thoroughly enjoyed conference. The weekend began by going to Allen’s mission reunion. Even though his mission president is from Sweden, he and his wife were in attendance (we found out the next day that he was there to be called as a General Authority). Allen loved seeing all of his old companions and President Malm. One funny thing was that there was a returned missionary there that got home about five months ago and although he was never companions with Allen, he had been companions with missionaries that Allen has taught at the MTC. The funny thing was that he said that they all have some sort of “Sabeyisms” meaning they say things they have learned from Allen. It was good to hear that those missionaries Allen has taught are doing well. Here are a few pictures from the evening’s festivities.

All the men in this picture are missionaries that Allen was with in the MTC. Everyone is married! (Although one is missing his wife)

Here's us with President and Sister Malm.

For conference we were able to go to the Conference Center for the Saturday morning session and the Sunday afternoon session. Thanks mom and dad for making that possible. It was a very special experience Saturday Morning to be in the Conference Center during the Solemn Assembly. For some reason, Allen and I were both impressed when the youth stood up to sustain the prophet. I think it is because President Hinckley was the prophet of our youth and President Monson will be the prophet of their youth. We with Elder Holland express gratitude for being able to participate in that moment of sustaining the prophet and for being able to see the mantle placed on President Monson’s shoulders. Although we enjoyed all of the general conference talks Allen especially enjoyed Elder Holland’s talk and continuation from last conference and I loved Elder Ballard’s talk on mothers. We are now excited to continue to learn and study from all of the talks from general conference for the next 6 months.
Well, if you have been able to continue reading through this novel, then you will be able to read about or most exciting news. Yesterday Allen was called to serve as 2nd Counselor in our Bishopric. The call came as a bit of a shock to us. He had an interview with a member of the stake presidency on Wednesday where he accepted the call. Since then it has been quite overwhelming. Allen has had quite the mixture of feelings the last few days from anxiousness, to nervousness, to being excited. Although he is nervous, we feel blessed that he is able to serve in such a capacity. Our Bishop is a very good man, and we are excited that he is able to serve with him for the next year. We are grateful for the peace and comfort we both have received this last week as Allen has received this call. We also feel grateful for all that our parents have taught us and have prepared us for such a calling. We love you all and thank you for all the support you give us!

We miss and love you all terribly.

Allen & Cameo