Summer Reading

Sadly the kids don't read much.  I finally was able to re-institute our "read 30 minute" expectation for summer.  (It's been a little delayed w/ summer trips and then the Browns coming to town for a week.)

When I mentioned it to Parker, he said "Nope.  Not going to do it."   And he hasn't, and I haven't asked again.  I wish he would, but he will be having a pretty scheduled life really soon...and for the next two years.  Plus, I could tell by the tone in his reply I would be fighting a losing battle!

Tanner grumbled initially.  However, I have noticed he quietly heads back to his room and reads first thing everyday.  He is rereading Steve Young's book, "My Life Behind the Spiral."  

I have LOVED seeing Aubrey reading outside of that required 30 minutes.  Seriously makes my heart so happy.  She brought a book on the temple trip yesterday, and she was reading it before church this morning.  Here are a couple of action shots I took.

Kind of a weird angle, but I was in the front trying to twist around to get the shot.

Plus you can see she reads at a lot of weird angles anyways.  

I'm so glad they are reading some again!

Youth Temple Trip

Yea for the opening up of the temples.  It is happening slowly and step by step, but it is happening.  The Lubbock Texas Temple recently opened up for baptisms, and our ward scheduled a time.  Since all three of our kiddos were going on this trip, Brian and I were able to wiggle our way in.  (He was actually asked to drive, and I was working with a new member in hopes she could attend.)

We ended up with just our family in the van.  There was a peace and calm in our car which I loved...not the usual family bickering/nit picking that sometimes too often occurs.  It was wonderful to see Parker and Tanner baptizing, and Aubrey being a witness and getting baptized.  Brian helped with confirmations.  We were all involved in a wonderful service, and it felt great.

Back row-ish: Bishop, Parker, Tanner, Aubrey, David Knuepper, Patrick Howell  Front row-ish: Marley Williams, Emerson Ormsby, Trinity Ormsby, Luna Head, Gracie Williams, Colby & Katelynn Jackson, Annalise Howell & Georgie Kneupper

Part of the group

Parker gets to go through the temple for his own endowments next week.

 

The Ultimate BOM

 Sister Gwilliam's Letter, June 21, 2021

Hello everyone! I hope your weeks were great:))

This week we had zone conference (where we all gather as missionaries and hear messages about how to become better and more Christlike missionaries). Due to COVID and impromptu mission conferences, this was the first one since October that I was able to attend   in person. It was weird to think about barely being out of training in the October conference, and then conducting the meeting and GIVING the training this time around. It was a great meeting, and I definitely learned a lot more than I taught!

My embarassing moment for the week was when we were setting up surprise decorations for an Elder's birthday, and I accidentally texted the entire group chat - with him in it -that we are "decorating for Elder Lace's birthday so show up whenever haha." Several frantic calls later someone was finally able to get ahold of me to unsend the message, but by that time it was too late - oops.

Despite the experience of ruining a whole birthday party *** I LOVE Nampa, and I love my assignment to work with missionaries. The past few weeks, I feel like my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown exponentially. I have always believed in the Book of Mormon, but now my feelings are way stronger than that - I LOVE THIS BOOK.

I think the reason my testimony has grown so much recently is because in my new assignment, several missionaries have come to us for advice with some hard situations. I have wanted so badly to help, but I'm not anymore experienced than they are! So us and the other companionship we worked with started doing an activity where instead of me another missionary trying to come up with advice, we pray about a chapter to study, and then read it aloud altogether with that missionary's question in mind. It has been such an amazing experience! We discuss the chapter with everyone in the group and share thoughts and impressions that came to our mind. By the end - no matter what chapter it is, we have answers to our questions. 

Using the Book of Mormon as a tool like that has made it become so much more meaningful to me. God really is ready and willing to answer our questions if we'll just look!

I'll close the weekly with a really cool experience we had in a message we gave to the Robins family. We did the same Book of Mormon activity with them, and were planning on inviting them to read a chapter altogether as a family and to ask their own individual questions as they read. I had a chapter in mind that was full of amazing verses about prayer and faith, but right as I was about to share the chapter, I noticed that Sister Ainsworth was tilting her phone to me with a new chapter. I hesitated a little bit, because it was a chapter that I didn't know as well, but I figured she must have received some revelation! So I invited them to read that specific chapter.

When we left the house, Sister Ainsworth started to laugh as she said her phone had accidentally swiped to a random chapter of the Book of Mormon - she hadn't been trying hint anything at all. It was all a big miscommunication.

We were laughing about it all week, and when we had another lesson at their house this week, we were a little embarassed to follow up on our challenge. We had given them a completely random chapter! 

Eventually we made the decision (the horrible and unfaithful decision ahaha) to not ask them how it went, and just extend a new invitation this time around. 

The message seemed to go much better this time, and we began to gather up our things to leave. The mom stopped us right before she got to the door. She said "Wait! Sisters!! I have to tell you what the invitation did for my son!"

She told us that her youngest son had recently joined a baseball team. They had a big tournament this weekend, and many of the games would be played on Sunday. The Robins believe that Sundays should be a time for family and for God, so they usually don't go to sports games on Sundays. For this tournament, they decided to leave the decision up to their son. 

Ryan eventually decided that he would not play any games on Sunday. Because of his decision, the coaches didn't put him in the game for a single inning on Friday or Saturday either.

Sister Robins said it was really frustrating and hard to see her son being left out because of his positive decision. She was about ready to call the coaches and give them a piece of her mind, but then Ryan came up to her and said "Mom, I was really worried about whether I should play on Sunday or not, so I made that my question." She was confused, so he explained that as they read the Book of Mormon as a family like we had invited them to do, he chose the question "Do I play in my baseball game on Sunday?" As they read the chapter we assigned, he felt very strongly that he should not play in the game. The peace he gained from that decision allowed him to stay strong even when his friends chose to play and his coaches left him out of the game.

As Sister Robin's told us how much she appreciated our invitation, I felt so happy- and also so dumb for being too embarrassed to follow up!! It was another great reminder to me that you can get answers from any chapter! It's not about what exact words are written down every time, it's about the spirit that's there when you read it. Anddd it was a great reminder that Heavenly Father knows what He's doing better than we do!

Love you all♡♡

Sister Gwilliam

Pictures-

-Me and Sister Hyatt

-Mirror selfless with President 

-Our matching tattoos😤

-Nampa leadership 

-Us flexing our Tacoma trucks (notice the distraught Elders with their equinox in the background)

June 13-19 ish, 2021

Week three of summer has arrived.  Week one was our Florida trip.  Week two was the kids' church camps.  Week three...kind of a glimpse at what our summer might look like...minus Aubrey's week.  She flew out to BYU basketball camp.  (She's going to be one tired girl!)

Parker, Cole and Cooper (Cole's younger brother) have been washing cars for their summer jobs.  Park was super busy every day.  He would come home after 12 hour days beat but happy.  He was having fun working with friends and pleased he was making money.

Brian texted me that Park was at 3N washing cars, and I asked him if he could please try to get some pictures.  He came through for me!  

Park and Cole  Park was pretty proud about how big he looked in this picture.

Cooper, Park and Cole cleaning the inside of Brian's truck.  They were trying on all of his safety glasses he had in the truck.  

Tanner started summer workouts.  Well, he is choosing not to go to Speed and Strength because it is only being run through the football coaches this year.  He is going to open gym for basketball at Permian and to Crunch Fitness to workout.

He also has 4-6 lawns he mows one day a week.  I wish he was working more just to stay busy, but he is pretty happy.  He has plenty of money and a lot of lay around the house time.  Here are a couple of pictures I took of him when he was mowing Gram and Grandpa's yard.

My week was pretty quiet with Aubrey out of town.  One of my friends was cleaning out a condo at her work and offered me free furniture.  It was 105°, and we moved two chairs, four side tables, two nightstands, a picture and a lamp into my van.  We were dripping.  

I dropped off the nightstands at my friend's house.  I took the other stuff home and did a little bit of cleaning, touch up paint , and sewing.  Brian fixed a leg on one of the chairs.  Then staged this picture and posted on Facebook Marketplace for $50.  (The candle, scriptures and plant were not included.)  I felt that was a great price for the buyer but didn't want to list for more because I just wanted to move on.  I had stored it in the garage for a week between getting the furniture and listing the furniture.  I was wishing I could park in my garage, and I was regretting ever taking on this task to begin with.

Luckily, the lady who responded to this one Facebook post wanted the other chair, the three other small tables plus two framed pictures and a tree I set in the living room.  $140 later we were both pleased.  

I took the boys to get a massage later that day.  Well, Parker kind of took me because he gave me money for Mother's Day to do something fun with.  I also bought us Little Caesars personal pizzas for lunch.  I was feeling rich from my furniture sales I guess.

The boys have been playing some MLB on Xbox.  Only one more month for these two to hang out.

I worked on Father's Day gifts for the ward.  Airi Billings made these cute cards, and I had them printed.  I also printed this cute A&W design listed on another website.  We just put one card on each Root Beer.   Lauron Ross helped me put the gifts together, and the men seemed pretty pleased with their Father's Day treats.

These are the only two pictures I have from our Sunday night gathering, but they are good ones.  Hudson holding Noah and the cousins hanging out on the golf cart.

Very back: Braddock Girl row: Ella, La & Char  Front seat: Tanner and Hudson

Kate and Joseph were sweet enough to take care of Aub for us.  They picked her up from the airport on Sunday morning, and Kate checked her into the camp on Monday morning.  It was so nice knowing she was in good hands.

On Sunday they all ate at Erin and Jeff's and played games.  They also visited Kate's family.  Aubrey LOVED their new puppy, Rocky Road.  We received lots and lots of pictures and texts and videos of Rocky from Aubrey.  Also, lots of begging for a new puppy ensued as well.

Before she left, we stopped by Petsmart and picked out a couple of gifts for Rocky.  We got this cute bandanna which I personalized and a 4th of July toy.  According to Aubrey, Rocky loved the toy.

The first couple of days were rough for Aubrey.  She felt awkward and out of place during the evening activities.  I knew there were a ton of other girls feeling the exact same way and encouraged her to be outgoing and look for them.  

Also, on the first night she had a big nose bleed all over her clothes and sheets.  On the second night she had a migraine and had to stay home from the dance.  It was so bad she threw up.  She usually has a few terrible headaches a month, but I don't think she has thrown up because of one before.  She hated being "that girl" to her counselor.  (The one always needing something.)  Also, her feet have apparently grown two shoe sizes since she played basketball in February so she had blisters all over her feet.  

It was hard being so far away and her feeling sad and sick.  Day three and four were much better.  

She found a friend that made a big difference.  The group got to go to Seven Peaks water park and a cute boy from the boys athletic camp asked her to ride double.  

Yea for Jacie!  Wish they would have found each other sooner.

Also, Aub's team won the championship in their age bracket.  Yea for a good ending to her BYU sports camp experience.

Gram had her cornea transplant this week.  She has Fuch's disease which causes blindness.  She did great and the doctor was really pleased with how the surgery went.  She has to wear the eye patch for a week and then for a month or two after that when she is sleeping.

Bryn didn't write this week, but we had a good long chat on Monday.  Gram was even able to join in for some of it.  (That was really nice for Gram because activities are limited with her eye surgery.)  

Bryn is working hard and sounds so happy.  Right now she is serving as an "STLT" which stands for Sister Training Leader ?.  I'm not sure what that last T is for but she and her companion are the sister A.P.s in her mission.  (A.P.=Assistant to the President)  

This basically means Brinley gets to serve and help the missionaries quite a bit.  She helps with training and zone conferences.  She helps plan transfers and meets with zones that are struggling.  She and her comp go on exchanges each week.  They also cover two wards and try to fit in as many teaching opportunities as they can.

Elder, Sister Ainsworth, Pres. Nygaard, Sister Gwilliam, Elder

I can tell she is ALL IN and loving her opportunity to learn, grow and serve.  I am very proud of that girl.  ONLY 6 more months and she is home!!!

California

Brian and Parker were able to fly out to California for a few days.  We wanted Parker to get a chance to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Gwilliam before he left.  Plus it's always nice to get a family visit in.  They both enjoyed their time, and Brian said it was really nice for him to have those days with Parker.

Here are a few pictures from their trip:

Uncle Mike & Aunt Karol

A friend of Grandma and Grandpa's from the Lafayette ward who is from Ghana.

Summer Church Camps

We came home from Florida on Saturday and the kids left for church camps early Monday morning.  It was a whirl wind of unpacking, washing, dumping the entire garage onto our kitchen floor while they gathering camping supplies, and repacking.   

The boys went canoeing down the Pecos River and the girls went to the South Llano River State Park in Junction, Texas.  Both places were BLAZING hot: 108° all week.  Sounded terrible to me and Brian.  They had asked me if I would like to be a parent leader at girl's camp.  Soooo glad it didn't work out for me to go!  (I'm a wimp.) 

Aubrey had a blast!  At the very last minute, Lauron (Aub's cousin) asked to go.  She is in a different ward, and it wasn't looking like girls camp was going to happen.  Aubrey was so glad she came.  It made camp even more fun and memorable.

Aub came home talking a mile a minute about all their adventures.  They went on hikes, made crafts, floated the river and swam in the river.  They had a shopping day.  (I feel bad about this one because I sent her with no extra money at all.  Not even for a snack on the road....whoops.)  They had lots of yummy food and good devotional.  She loved trading secret sister gifts.  And of course they had an awesome testimony meeting the last evening.  

I'm so grateful to Sister Williams and Sister Perry for planning and carrying out a great camp.

Left-rt: Trinity Ormsby, Avery McKown, Lauron Vore, Aubrey Gwilliam, Irene Perry (peaking through w/ the hat), Luna Head, Allie Crissinger, Victoria Nelson, Don Bonifay, Marie Howell, Gracie Williams, Anita Williams, Brittney Neilsen, Annalise Howell, Jade, Glenn King and Georgie Kneupper

The girls, daughters of a King, wearing their crowns and reading their letters from their parents.   Brian and I both wrote a letter to Aubrey expressing our thoughts and feelings about her and bearing our testimonies.  

I love this photo.  I'm not sure exactly why.  I guess I love looking down this row and seeing God's beautiful daughters.  They aren't polished.  They aren't dolled up and posing for the perfect picture.  I can feel their stillness.  I think during this time they could feel their true worth.  I can definitely see it.

Allie and La making bracelets.

Stopping to eat on the way up or back.  

Aub is in the black shirt with her back to the camera.  (La, Georgie? and Luna)

The boys trip...  Well, first off, Parker was absolutely NOT going on the young men's trip.  He has made fun of Tanner for the past 2-3 months because Tanner had to go but he didn't.  

Back row: Johnny Head, Edmund Perry, Parker (blue hat/white rim), Tanner, Reagan Billings, Tristan Ormsby, Bishop Ormsby  Front row: Colby Jackson, Emerson Ormsby, Colby Jackson, Marley Williams  (Park and Tanner where hiding in the back because they canoed most of the trip in only their undies.)

Bishop Ormsby really tried to convince Park to join them.  He was coming up with all sorts of reasons: It will be fun.  We need another leader.  You can be Tanner's partner on the river.  Your mom said you have to.  (I wasn't about to get in the middle of that one!)  Park was 100% not interested.  He had all of his own reasons for not going:  I have to work.  I need to get ready for my mission.  I only have a month left to hang out with my friends.

Well, less than 12 hours before they left, Bishop convinced him to go.  Brian and I were shocked.  He had adamantly refused to even consider it for months.  Crazy boy.  I think it helped that Bethani was going to be out of town for the week.  Also, Parker likes to be busy.  I think Tanner was glad he was coming along as well.

I guess Parker asked about the fishing possibilities, and Bishop said the fish were really big.  He came up to me after Sunday School and said, "I convinced Parker to go.  I told him the fish were huge."  Then he started cracking up, shrugged and said, "I didn't tell him he'd catch any..." 

Bishop speared it w/ his paddle, and Bro Billings jumped on it and caught it with his bare hands.  

Tanner had been dreading the trip for months.  And actually, the trip he and the other young men had helped plan got cancelled due to flooding.  Both trips sounded equally awful to him though.

Parker said deciding to go was the worst mistake of his life.  Tanner said it sucked. 

They canoed over 60 miles in four days.  They were on the water 12 hours a day, everyday, paddling very hard in many places so they wouldn't be pushed backwards.  At some points they had to drag the canoes through shallow water and rocks.  According to our boys, there were some places with rapids but mostly it was pure work that got them to their destination.  Also, the trip was supposed to be spread over six days, but according to Tanner, everyone but Brother Head wanted to do it as fast as possible so they could be home sooner.    

Tanner and Bro Head

Park w/ Colby.  They flipped their canoe numerous times.  Colby is young and didn't really understand how not too flip.)  Parker, out of desperation, started pointing out the alligators in the water.  He really hoped that would help Colby not flip so easily.  He said his plan backfired because instead of jumping out of the canoe so it wouldn't flip, Colby held on for dear life while it flipped.  Good times!

Tan and Park started together the first morning but needed to be split up so they could help with those who were struggling.  

They came home beat.  Sunburned, blistered, exhausted.  They both said how terrible it was, but almost in the same sentence they would be laughing about something that happened.  Park had over 17 blisters on his feet.  He hobbled for the next week.  Tanner slept until 1:30 the next day and then had to mow five lawns for his summer job.  Poor kid.  They were pretty subdued for about 48 hours as they recuperated.

Even with them saying how terrible it was, they also came home laughing about their adventures.  As a group, they accomplished a very hard experience together.  I know their leaders planned evening devotionals to help strengthen these young men.  I hope when the hard times come in missions, in college, in life, they will look back on this trip and know, "I can do hard things."