The 10-11 year olds are still co-ed. This is the last year that they are co-ed. My MS is holding it's own. It's amazing how much easier it is to move around when you're packing 140 less pounds around. The med I'm on that I hope not to run out of and go without is clonopin. This is a muscle relaxant. It puts me to sleep so I take it when I go to bed at night. My muscles spasm so fiercely that without it, I'm miserable all night. The down side it, the med only lasts about 4-5 hours so by early morning, I'm miserable again. I've tried other things but the clonopin by far works the best. Thanks for asking. Melody

Hi Christy, I know what you mean about not feeling completely comfortable in a calling. I was in the YW presidency over the Mia Maids..I felt really good about it..I didn't feel like I was the older leader..because the rest of the leaders had most of their kids grown already so we were all about the same age group (comfort zone). When the wards were realigned, only about 5 active families were moved..us being one of them. The next few weeks I tried to hide from the bisho*****ause I really didn't want to go into my previous calling. One of my good friends from years prior was the YW pres. I thought..oh no! Yep, I was called in YW over the Beehives this time. I had a very hard time in that calling. It all happened during the time I was considering/getting ready to have wls. I was feeling very aware of my weight and feeling like I just didn't fit in (self esteem issues) The fact is, I really didn't fit in..chairs were tight..I couldn't "move" like the girls or the other leaders..I couldn't get on the floor to even play a board game (without having help getting up) I was totally happy with my release. I now enjoy attending RS. It has been years since I was able to do that. I need time for me to build my self-esteem back to where is should be. I truly feel like I can't be a good leader till I can work on that issue..well, off of my soap-box. HugsGinger

I've been in every position in Primary and RS. I taught Gospel Doctrine, Teacher Development the last 4 years, but last June I was called to be YW President. I can't say I love the calling...but there are lots of things about it I enjoy. The girls are normal teens and dealing with all that gets overwhelming. I guess what I don't like is having to keep so many things straight. One of my counselors is not really on board...so we (the Bishop and I) are contemplating calling someone else. Also my secretary and other counselor both just had babies. That makes meetings difficult. I sometimes feel like the world is on my shoulders....when they can't be there...no matter what, I have to be. I know there is a reason for me to be here, but its not always fun. Christy

Hi Melody, Being fairly new to this weight loss surgery thing..I have to hold my tongue not to shout it from the roof-tops! I love your response,"Working hard at it" cause you are!! You are right...everybody doesn't have to know..there are ways to dance around the issue too. Ginger

Who did I tell? Absolutely everybody in my ward. They have been nothing but supportive. I've been less apt to tell acquaintances that I'm not real close to. Many of them will come up to me and say something like - Wow you've really lost a lot of weight. How did you do it? My response is always "Working hard at it". I don't feel the desire or the need to tell something so personal to people I'm not real personal with. The ward is different. They are family. Everyone in my ward knows - exept maybe the new ones that are just moving in. They never knew the morbidly obese Melody so I choose to let them think I've always been thin. Melody