Day #259 - the one with the new calling

5 years ago today I was sustained as the relief society president of the Patuxent ward. I was terrified, it was so hard. I didn’t think i could do it, but I wanted to. I wanted to love it. And then I learned to. I have always meant to write more about it here, but a lot of it is private and sacred so I’ve only written bits and pieces. 

I have been blessed to serve for exactly 5 years to the day. I served with 2 great bishops, 3 elders quorum presidents, 2 high priest groups leaders, 3 Primary presidents, 3 YM presidents, 3 YW presidents, 3 Sunday School presidents, 2 stake relief society presidents, 2 stake presidents, 4 counselors, and 3 secretaries. 

In my 5 years, just about everything in relief society changed. Sometimes more than once. Just when I thought I had something down, it would change and it has made for 5 years of non-stop learning and growth. I’ve loved almost every change, I would not like to go back to first Sunday councils and I was not sad when they did away with those. 

I was blessed to be part of several convert baptisms, several people receiving their temple endowments, or returning back to the temple, and almost a sealing. I comforted those that stood in need of comfort for 5 families that suffered the death of a family member, and I will forever be honored to have been able to help dress Sister Everett for her funeral.

I’ve loved organizing the ward giving trees, several firesides, the interfaith Christmas concerts, and serving with the WARM program. 

It has been a hard, busy, amazing, challenging, stressful, wonderful, overwhelming, joyful 5 years. I shared today in my testimony that Delaney was 3 when I was called, and she used to come with my to do “bisits,” and then when we’d get home she would play relief society with her dolls. All the girls loved coming with me to visit sisters. They can’t wait to be part of rs!

I have become a better mother, wife, and disciple through this experience. It really has been one of the most choice blessings of my life. 

Today I was sustained as the Suitland Stake Relief Society President. 

It’s been a long, kind of lonely journey that i want to document. On October 25th Matt and I got an email that said President Boyd wanted to meet with both of us and we could bring our girls if we wanted to. I knew immediately. But Matt thought maybe I was just getting released. So then I spent a lonely week wondering what in the world was going to happen. 

On November 1 we traveled up to the Calvert building and met with President Boyd. The girls were SO extra, they talked and talked, and he was so sweet with them. And then he extended the calling to me. This time I only cried a little. 

I have come to realize that I have never paid much attention to the stake at all. I vaguely remember that they dissolved a ward last year, have never thought about our huge stake boundaries, and never thought about just how someone chooses counselors from throughout the entire stake. 

That Monday I talked to Kitty for 2 hours. She’s been so wonderful through this whole transition. 

That Wednesday I spent the day in my room, fasting and praying. Matt gave me a blessing and i read my scriptures and got to work. I went through every relief society presidency in every ward and wrote down each member of it. Then every single woman in the stake. I clicked on every name and checked every picture if they had one. I came up with 6 different scenarios. Because president Boyd counseled me to try to spread out my counselors so it would be easier to get to each ward, I had to keep changing things up. On Friday I submitted my recommendations. I really felt like the brother of Jared taking my little weird idea to the Lord and asking Him to bless it. 

I met with Kitty at the stake center one day. She went over all 4 of the stake rs closets and gave me the master keys to every building in the stake. She gave me a bagful of books and binders and so much information. We talked there for hours and then went to lunch. We each brought each other a gift and a sweet card. I have such big and wonderful shoes to fill. I pray I can continue on with the same powerful spirit she brought to everything she did for the stake. 

Then I waited. A week later President Boyd let me know that they’d approved my request and the next step was for the high council to approve them. Who knew? I filled out stake action request forms and then waited some more. 

The next time I heard anything was when Rebecca called me last Sunday. Brother Gibbons had extended the calling to her and she asked if she could call me, which I love. We hit it off immediately and when we hung up she said she was more excited than terrified, so I call that a win. 

On Tuesday president Boyd let me know that callings had been extended and accepted and he’d be in our ward on Sunday. I talked to Chelsea that night. Kitty had told me I needed someone that was good with computers as my secretary. Just how I was supposed to find someone from the stake that was also technologically talented, I did not know. As i fasted and prayed, Chelsea popped into my head. I immediately dismissed that idea because I was thinking I just wanted to work with someone I knew. And then the idea came to mind again, and I knew it was right. That’s the way the spirit speaks to me, and I was 1/3 of the way there. 

I talked to Debbie yesterday and loved her too. She is super chill and ready to serve wherever she is needed. I’m so excited to get to know these women, and also all the sisters in the stake. 

Today during ward council I started getting texts congratulating me and letting me know they sustained me. I was a little surprised they had sent the announcement email so early, and President Boyd apologized about that after he set me apart. 2020, amiright? 🤷‍♀️

Bishop Darrow was so kind when he released me. The spirit was so strong and my heart has just been so full all day. Tracie, Lindsay, and Marlene were sustained as our new RS presidency, and Missy, Sara, and Erin were sustained as the new YW presidency. Then President Boyd announced our new stake Relief Society presidency. After that I was able to bear my testimony again. I just spoke 2 weeks ago and shared my testimony, so I spent some time thinking about what to share. I am always grateful to share my simple testimony. I’m a simple girl, but I know my Father lives. I am grateful for my personal relationship with my Savior and for the power I’ve been endowed with in the temple. Tracie and Missy bore powerful testimonies too. 

Then President Boyd and Matt set me apart and gave me a beautiful, very personal and specific to me blessing. I had talked to all the girls and asked them to help me remember what he said, and they did. My dad also came, and Chelsea and Bryn were able to be in the room with us. It was very special and testimony affirming. 

It’s been such a wonderful day. I’ve gotten so many nice texts and emails, people have really been too kind and generous. I worked on some things for Tracie and we’ve continued on our leftovers journey. Matt took Tenkor for a long walk and she didn’t spaz when they met another dog on the path, so that’s exciting too. 

We read through The Friend and watched the elders Facebook live event and now we’re watching The Witches based on Roald Dahl’s book, which Delaney is loving. 

November 29th has become a wonderfully important day to me. I am really so grateful to be able to serve, even as I’m sad to be closing our ward chapter, I am excited to be opening a stake one. 

Day #258

I didn’t take any pictures today. We did all the regular things. The girls met up with the Ainas at the park. We felt like it was probably safe to play since neither of us have done much of anything in the past week. Sarah sent me this shot. 

Matt and I went to the store to pick up a few things for a family he ministers to that has covid. Two of his families have covid actually. We’ve happily had thanksgiving leftovers for every meal, so that’s a nice cooking break. We  tidied up and prepped.  Then we trimmed our nails and we shampoo’d our hair, so we can be ready for Sunday. 

Day #257

Matt worked. I slept in till 8:30 and then went for a long run. It was another nice warm day. When I got back I found the girls looking at their yearbooks and telling fun school stories. I got to hear about when Addie got in trouble and had to sit on the bench and when her friend Abby peeled Addie’s banana and Addie was so upset she hid under the table. Frankie explained to me how she was popular and how they didn’t do much math in 4th grade, mostly just science. It was fun listening to their silly stories. 

Papa came over for a leftover t-day lunch and he also shared some stories. I knew my grandpa had left bone early, but I learned that he left home at 14, never got past 8th grade, and got a job on the railroad. I can’t imagine Addie leaving home in 2 years. What a strong, amazing grandpa. 

Our big and exciting outing of the day was picking up Tenkor from training. We were so excited we all went to see how she did. We had to wait about 30 minutes, so we played toilet tag and red rover. It was fun and also exhausting. Tenkor was so excited excited to see us. She ran from person to person and licked and jumped and smelled us. They let us get reacquainted with her and then came in and showed us some tricks. At one point a bunch of dogs started barking and she didn’t bat an eyelash, so that’s super good. She did really well for the trainer, so we are pretty hopeful and exciting. Alli took her for a walk tonight but they didn’t encounter any dogs, which is going to be the real test. She’s so happy to be home, it’s very cute. 

We had more leftovers for dinner and tonight we’re watching The One and Only Ivan for family movie night. We’ve been enjoying our break from school.

Day #256

We had a great thanksgiving in spite of Amy and her family cancelling their trip. I had bought a big bag of m&m’s bechase you always have m&m’s out on thanksgiving and Christmas, and then I found this fun game. Only when I opened the bag, it was a Christmas bag with just red and green. 😂

Papa tried on some reindeer ears and one of the girls got a picture. 

We didn’t have much cooking to do because we’d Alli’s done it Wednesday. We went for a walk to the Wrights to pick up some giving tree gifts and then popped in on papa. Matt, the turkey master rocked the fryer. 

We were going to play a game, but Delaney’s finger started hurting from scraping wax with her fingernails, even though we’d told her not to. That commenced several hours of, mostly solitary drama. 

Papa brought over candy canes and blue teeth here enjoyed hers. 

We planned to eat at 2:00, and sat down for dinner by 2:30. It was pretty sweet. 

We all worked together and it was one of the easiest thanksgivings ever for me. 

We made feathers for our turkey and shared all the things we’re thankful for. 

Soooo tasty. 

We all cleaned up and then it was game time! Catan for Alli, Addie, and D, and dominos for the rest. 

The girls have already played with these for hours. 

Christian and Jeannie came over and we continued our game night. We played a long game of Logo. 

Dad got to the end, but then any and crew FaceTimed and we got distracted. They invited us to play scattergories with them for a few rounds and then dad decided it was time to head home, so he didn’t really win. You’ve got to finish to win, everybody knows that. 

We had a wonderful thanksgiving. We are so blessed. 

I’m grateful for so many little things, but mostly for these big things. This year looked different and plans changed several times, but I am so thankful for my wonderful family. I’m more blessed than I deserve. 

#givethanks

Day #255

I went for a run a run this morning. When I got home I found delaney asleep like this:

Girlfriend loves to stay up late and she loves to sleep in. 

Alli had woken up and gotten right to work cooking. She assured me that she loves it and I assured her she didn’t have to do it all. She had asked if there was anything I really wanted to make myself (nope!) and kept asking how I’d like her to do things. Basically, we are both deferring to each other and it’s pretty sweet. We are both happy with how the day went and both looking forward to tomorrow. We chatted with Amy while we worked. 

I showered and tutored Frankie and then washed all the dishes. I helped with some prep, and then we had an unfortunate mishap where a pot fell from the drying rack and a full melted candle spilled all over the counter and floor. Candle wax is so hard to clean, but we all worked together and it only took about an hour. Other than that annoyance, the day went swimmingly. Alli made 4 pies - chocolate chip, pumpkin, pecan, and cheesecake. She made broccoli cheese casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, Mac and cheese, and frog eye salad. I did the dishes and made fresh cranberry sauce. 😂 I feel like i came out the clear winner here, but she loved her day in the kitchen, so. 🤷‍♀️

The girls played at the Clark’s Rest park for awhile and Addie did a library pickup. We continued our clean out of the fridge for dinner and then we all pitched in with clean up. Christian came over after work and brought us some stuffed ham and we got to visit. Lu called and we all laughed at silly, busy Emmett as he ran around. He talks to their Google play and never stops moving. He is so precious and I can’t wait to see him again. We put the angel on the tree and I also got out another Christmas bin. 


My mom sent her favorite diet treat for us to enjoy and they are super tasty. 

Gratitude post of the day:

Today I am grateful for fancy chocolate. For a sister that loves to cook. And for FaceTime with the California and Montana crews, table time visiting with the bubba, and for story time with the girls at 10:30pm. 

#givethanks

Day #254

Last nights DWTS fun at papas. I was surprised that Kaitlyn won, but she was great and I’m sure she earned it. It’ll be sad not having a new episode to look foreword to each week. We have so little excitement. 😂

Jim shared this sweet picture of Sharon. I miss her. She passed away a year after Matt and I got married, so I never really got to have a mother in law. Our girls missed out on a grandma and that’s a bummer. 

We decopauged Delaney’s letters and put them on her wall. We only had one snafu when addie traced and I cut a letter backwards, but we were able to find another cute paper, so it worked out. Her letters are huge, I really shouldn’t allow myself I order anything size dependent online because I am awful at it. To be fair, they do fit the space, so I got that part right, they’re just gigantic. And don’t get me started on the 1000 tiny plates I ordered for our Christmas concert like 3 years ago that we still have hundreds of. Understanding measurements are hard. 

We put Addie’s up a few weeks ago but I never got a picture. These girls have cute rooms that I love spending time in. We’ve been focusing hard on keeping things tidy and they are doing pretty well with lots of reminders. 

Papa came over to see if anyone would like to go take pictures with him; and Frankie volunteered. She snapped him peeking in the lighthouse. 

And he got this pretty shot of her silhouette. They both had a great time and I’m glad they love spending time together.  

I’ve been getting out one Christmas bin a day. I don’t want to go too crazy because I’ve got thanksgiving decor out, but I do like getting things out little by little. Look at this cute little nerd. 

And another one. These cute magenta are coming up on 20 years old. 😳 

We finished decorating the tree and cleaned out a bunch of leftovers in preparation for thanksgiving feasting. 

I lit my Winter scented candle from Bath and Body Works and it just smells like Christmas to me. That is the smell that Christmas scented books were in my childhood. I can’t exactly pinpoint what those books would have been, but scratch and sniff was big in the 80’s and the winter scent takes me straight there. I love it! It was cold today, so the girls and I cuddled while I read the Friend to them, and I also enjoyed a cuddly warm nap. These are stressful times and naps are heaven and I’m working on not feeling guilty about them. 

My thankful post:

I’m grateful for yummy smelling candles, fuzzy warm blankets, and the privilege of watching my kids learn and bond with my dad. They love spending time one-on-one with him and it makes me so happy.

#givethanks

Day #253

We did all the things. And then we decorated. I bought this garland from a neighbor years ago and never busted them out. I think garland makes everything pretty, so busted out they are. 

I hung a picture in our basement bathroom. It’s kind of hard to tell, but they are birds. 

The girls were so excited to decorate the tree that they have been lovingly taking out their ornaments and caressing them. We put extra lights on the tree and then let them start decorating. 

Addie made a new sign for our delivery drivers. I love leaving them treats to grab. 

Tonight Alli bought pizza and we came to dads to watch the Dancing with the Stars finale. We always watch it the next day so we’ve never been able to vote. Delaney had fun texting her votes. At one point she missed a letter, since she was voting for each dancer. They auto texted her back that they didn’t recognize her text and she texted back “ok.” 😂 all the contestants are great, but I’m voting for Nev. 

Day #252

We found out last week that we were having a special North America north east area conference this Sunday. A special message from the prophet and then a special area conference in one weekend? We’re in pretty high cotton over here. We didn’t have any other meetings, so that was nice too. 

We still don’t have a tv upstairs, so we went down to the basement and the girls quietly played and drew  as we watched. 

Over the shoulder shot of Addie at the art desk. 

We had 52 new cases in our county yesterday. We are looking for ways to count it all joy and make life fun and happy in our little White House, and doing a pretty good job at it. 

My pictures came in, so I continued my lighthouse wall on to this little section next to it. It makes me so happy to look at and I love the store behind every picture. 

Emmett loves Coco Melon. It’s all the rage among the littles these days. 

Addie really wanted white chicken chili, so after Sunday naps she and I made up a quadruple batch. I also made a bunch of rolls and cut up some salad and then had Matt make a couple pans of brownies. The girls loaded everything into the car and d and f came with me to deliver food to the Battaglia’s since Carolee has been sick and the Ely’s since they moved. It was as smooth and easy meal taking as I’ve ever had and all my wonderful kitchen helpers are what saved the day. Papa came over for dinner but we missed him because  we were delivering and I also managed to forget a ministering interview at 6:30, but thankfully Trudy had forgotten too so she wasn’t waiting forever me and we were able to hop on as soon as I got home. 

We had a stake welfare training that I was on the fence about watching but then got asked to say the closing prayer so that made up my mind. I always learn something from those, and this time was no exception. But that meant I also missed the Ray family zoom get together, and most of my ray families brownie eating. We played a game and then it was bedtime. The days have been speeding by, which is good I guess since they are all so similar?

My grateful post. 

I am grateful for homemade rolls, kitchen helpers, and this sweet ride I’ve been cruising since this December day in 2008. Our Jolly Green Giant has taken us from sea to shining sea many times and she still drives like a dream. I’ll love her till she dies. #givethanks

Also I forgot to share this from the Sierra Clubs social media page. Addie with her bright red Halloween hair giving service. 

Day #251

I went shopping this morning to all the stores. 🙄 I needed suction cups for window wreaths from target, planter pots from Lowe’s, to pickup prints at staples, a few good sale items from Harris teeter, and the rest of the food from Aldi. I dropped stuff off at the church and picked ornaments up from Chelsea. A lot of stops gets me feeling ready to be home. We put up our new family theme for 2021. 

And Frankie’s. Lexi made these both and her creative new skill is definitely my favorite of her talents right now. That is a whole talented family over there. 

Cade is building Emmett a big boy bed...

To match a crib he’s going to build for baby brother. 

Also, they got one of our Christmas presents from us - an extra seat and accessories for their stroller, and Emmett loved it. It’s so weird that he’s eating in this picture. 😂 that is a boy that takes right after his mimi, we both loooove to eat. 

The girls helped me trim my petunias back to overwinter them. It was so sad to me to cut all these pretty flowers that I have lovingly tended for so long. 

I guess this is what it’s like for normal people, but remember, I have never kept outdoor plants alive all summer. 

D flipped the camera to get a cute shot of herself. 

I also trimmed back my fern and the girls planted the Amish succulents we bought a few months ago. They also took some of mine that I’ve been growing approximately forever and planted them in jars and small pots. 

We made a huge mess and then I grabbed the leaf blower and blew the whole thing into our yard. The fed ex guy came as I was blowing everything off and said he liked my “sweeping.” 😂🤷‍♀️

It was another gorgeous day. Addie mowed the front yard, we brought in some Christmas bins from the shed and put up the tree, we tutored and piano’d and the girls went to the stream. The little girls went to papas to watch a movie and Addie took a bath. I ministering interviewed and made spaghetti for dinner and cleaned a bathroom. Matt worked and he’s always so happy to come home. He almost always comes home happy and that is such a blessing. 

Aunt Jeanne shared this cute picture of grandpa Ray and his family and I just loved it. I would have loved a little redhead, but maybe it will skip a generation?

Today’s grateful post: I’m grateful for good books, for good podcasts, and especially grateful to be this perfect boys Mimi. #givethanks