Thanksgiving

Soooo, It's January 10th, 2022 and I haven't been blogging the past two and a half months.  I have tons of fun pictures and so many activities and memories I'd love to document. (Thanksgiving, December holiday activities, Brinley coming home!!!, Sibling gift exchange, Cousin gift exchange, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day....you know, some big things!)  I don't know if it's going to happen though.  I am going to try to play a little bit of catch up and then move forward.  We will see how it goes.

One fun thing is my sister Becky and her family came down for Thanksgiving this year.  Thanksgiving morning Blair Bear came over to our house for a couple of hours.  We loved having her. The Merkley cousins live in Dallas, and we don't get to see them enough.  

Tanner and Aubrey were asleep, and Blair was astounded about how quiet it was at our house.  (Even when they woke up, it's just a quiet place in the stage of life we are in.)  I kept checking with her to see if she wanted to go back to Gram and Gramp's, but she seemed to love the personal attention and the quiet atmosphere.  It's kind of loud and crazy most of the time when you have three siblings that range from 2-9 years old.  

Blair played the piano, checked out the toys, and played with the dog.  Once Aub woke up, we made a Thanksgiving craft and then they took Buttercup on a walk. 

Later that afternoon, during our Thanksgiving get together, we had a table with paper for everyone who wanted to write Parker a letter.  (We didn't include Brinley this year because she was coming home on December 16th.)  Little Miss Blair Bear Sold Us Out!!!   Check out her letter to Parker.  Turkey girl!  

"Without you it's no fun at your house.  Now it's quiet, sad and lonely when it comes to silence.  Please! Come Back! Please! Please!  Please!"

If the letters we mailed ever make it to Ghana, I'm sure he will appreciate it! (Mail is pretty slow between here and there, and I'm not sure how reliable.)

(Beck and Griffin)

The VERY BEST part of Thanksgiving Day was getting to talk to our two missionaries!  It was fun to head over to Gram and Grampa's house to chat so they could talk to a few more family members.

Talking to Sutton

Talking to Beck and Blair

Visiting with Bryn and Parker each week seriously makes my heart so happy.

(Grandpa)  

Notice how dark Parker is?  Even though it was only about 5:30 or 6:00 there, it was dark.  He lives out in the bush too so there are no street lights or anything.  When it gets dark, they head home for the night.  

Thanksgiving gathering in Kerry's shop.

Hud, Brit, me, and Beck  (Hudson seems to be always close by Brit.  He likes to be near what is happening!)

Tan and Holden

At the big table: Brian and I on one side, and Bella, Sam & Kim Robertson, Holden and Tanner on the other side

We tried to keep the numbers low this year w/ Covid still being a thing, and Gram's health not being great.  It's the first year in a long, long time that I remember not having 15-25 additional friends, neighbors, missionaries  and more join in.  I think we kept it at six.  

I did invite Sister Christie Applegate.  She is Gram's ministering sister and a good friend of mine and Angelique's.  I felt a little guilty about extending the invitation when we were asking others not to invite non family members.  But I'm really glad she was able to make it.  She is like family to several of us, and we wanted her to feel loved on Thanksgiving.

Seva Winfrey came.  He is 16 and in the ward.  His parents went out of town, and he stayed in town for a young men's campout.    Kerry also invited his ex-wife Kim and her husband and their family.  They are building a new house and she is due w/ baby #5 next month.  He wanted them to be able to have a nice Thanksgiving.  Kim is great, and we all enjoyed visiting with her and her cute family.

Mom/Gram, Aunt Wendy, Christie Applegate, Aileen and Alan Pitt

Laurel King, John Martin (Ang's dad), Ang, Gram, Wendy, Christie, Aileen and Alan and David King

Laurel, David, Ashley King, Grandpa Vore, Benja, Ang, Erin Vore Freeman and Danielle King

Oh the teens and their phones.... Seva, Griff, Braddock, Tanner, Holden & Hudson

The littles!  Perry, Ella, Sutton, Bella & Jordan (the last two are Kim's little girls)

And then a little gathering at the Birds in the evening to play Nine Square and hang out. 

Erin w/ Ella, Tanner with Perry and Hudson

Tanner and his girlfriend Erin playing with the younger cousins.

Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday

We had an "almost true Taco Villa Monday."  It was at Taco Villa, and it was at the original Taco Villa on 8th street....but it was on a Wednesday.  We had a lot of fun with the kids out of school and Benja, Erin, Jeff and the Merkleys in town.

Ella, Perry, Blair, Grandpa, Jeff and Benja

Left side: Kerry, Beck, Gram  Right side: Brit, Brian M, & Grandpa

Char, Blair, Perry and Ella

Griffin, Braddock, Aub and Hudson

After eating most of us headed over to Gram and Gramps because Grandpa heated the pool!

Griffin with Christian on his shoulders, Lincoln with Hud and Braddock in background

Lincoln, Ang w/ Perry and Sutton, and Char on the floatie

It was pretty cute.  Once Ang found out her grandsons were coming over, she borrowed a t-shirt and shorts and hopped right in the pool.  Then she loved on the nieces, nephews and  her grandson's Lincoln and Christian.

This spot was a game of musical chairs as different adults came in and out to watch.  Beck, Grandpa, Erin Meisje, Erin (me), and Brian

Some November Photos

 

When volleyball ended, basketball started, and Aubrey was willing to put in the time to learn the plays.  It's fun to see her dedication.  This is the night before a test in basketball.

When you're fourteen and everything your parents say or do annoys you....

Throw back picture from Brian's childhood.  Aren't they cute.  I love how the boys all look naked.  Now I know were Tanner and Parker get the no shirt/naked look from.  

Back row: Keith holding Eric, Karol
Front row, left-right: Jeff, Bruce, Brian

One morning I was at my parents visiting.  I had just walked out the door when Brinley called so I turned back around and surprised Gram and Grampa with a fun facetime call.  Brinley, Gram and Grandpa all loved visiting with each other for a few minutes.

Lauron, Aub and Tanner back in the day (10-12 years old-ish) 

Early November

Tanner had his first basketball game this weekend. (Friday, Nov 12)  He did great, and I loved watching him play.  He's on varsity this year which is good and bad, in my humble opinion.  He works his tail off and deserves to be on varsity, but he won't get as much playing time.  

A few pictures from warm ups.  He played about a quarter of the game and did great.  Permian won.

Tanner isn't much for pictures in private and for sure not in public.  I try to snap some at times though. 

 

And then there is this crazy girl.  She is hyper and moody and silly and  pretty tired a lot of the time.  She is competitive and works hard in sports and in school.  And did I mention moody?...  

She will make me dance with her in the kitchen.  (And after her crazy dancing, my back is out of wack.)  We play a lot of the card game Speed together.  She won't go on walks with me.  She likes me to lay next to her in bed a few times a week.  Here are a couple of pictures from the week.

I picked her up from school and touched her arm.  She got in this stiff position and insisted she doesn't like to be touched.  Of course, I had to tease her and touch her a little bit more.  (See her smile emerging...)

For years she has known how to do her hair in all sorts of ways...braids, up dos, etc.  YEARS!  She is amazing at watching and then imitating hair and makeup tutorials and looking like Mrs. America.  Brinley and I are both in awe at her skills.  However, for the past two years, this is mostly how she chooses to do her hair.  Crazy girl.  It's her "natural hair."  

I mostly try to  just let her do her thing.  I have tried to hint a little lately that she might should put a little more effort in.  She says she doesn't want to put heat on her hair.  I would say it's her busy schedule that deters her, but even when she has not been so busy, this is the look.  

She had girl friends last year and one of her guy friends this year ask her if she even does her hair when she wakes up.  

She gets miffed and replies that of course she does.  

She brushes it.  

Natural hair.  

Crazy girl.   

At church each week, we sit in the same row as my parents so even though the Gwilliam family is dwindling, it doesn't feel too sparse.  However, we had tithing settlement today.  It was weird.  There were only four Gwills.   Tithing settlements, church, home life will just be me and Bri in a few years, sniff sniff.  Good thing we like each other.

We stopped by Grandpa Vore's on the way home from church so he could snap this photo for the Gwilliam grandparents' Christmas card.  (They asked for missionary pictures of Brinley and Parker.)  We do clean up pretty good.  

Last week we didn't have FHE until Thursday.  Then we had it today, Sunday, for this week.  There was a little bit of rebellion on why we were doing it again already.  Let's be honest, there is always a little bit of rebellion.  Brian showed a great video on temples and then shared a few thoughts.  Tanner was on activity.  He pulled out his phone and just started looking at it intently and stating we were NOT going to have an activity.  Pu-lease...  Eventually he moseyed on in to the game cabinet, and we played a rousing game of Chutes and Ladders.  Ha!  Aub came from behind and won.

Tomorrow is Monday.  I'm excited to talk to those two missionaries I love.  Brinley only has four weeks left.  Craziness.  Parker made a quick call home yesterday due to being stopped by immigration.  He needed for us to forward some documents.  I'm curious to hear the rest of that story.  

 

Callings Throughout the Years

Our family has been part of the Odessa 4th ward since it was created four years ago.  A few weeks ago, due to active membership and growth in Odessa shrinking, our ward was dissolved.  Bishop Ormsby gave a talk mentioning his list of callings throughout the years and spotlighting a few.  He mentioned noticing patterns in were he was called to serve and that some callings stretched him while others felt like a more natural fit.  

I thought it was very interesting.  Here is my list of callings that I can remember.  

• Beehive class counselor
• MiaMaid class counselor
• Laurel class president
• Homemaking Counselor in Relief Society 
• Visiting Teacher (my first time and then always until 2018 then a ministering sister)
• ? BYU Sophomore year
• Sunday School Secretary (BYU Junior Year)
• Missionary (California Arcadia Mission, May 1994-November 1995)
• Ward Missionary
• Gospel Doctrine Teacher (At BYU but I can't remember which year)
• RS Counselor
• Activity Committee?
• RS Counselor (1997, BYU married ward)
• Primary Chorister (2000 when we moved back to Odessa)
• Seminary teacher (2001-2002 school year)
• YW Beehive Counselor
• RS Counselor
• Activity Committee Chair
• Primary Counselor or Secretary
• Relief Society Secretary
• Primary teacher
• YW Secretary
• Primary President
• YW Stake Secretary
• Nursery Leader 
• Cub Scout Leader
• YW Personal Progress Specialist
• RS Counselor 
• YW Counselor
• RS President 

I am not exactly sure of all of my callings and especially the timeline after 2001.  They just kind of blend together.  I've loved reflecting on this list.  Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has been such a blessing.  I can see the way these callings have stretched me and help me grow.  

When I think of all of the sisters and brothers I have served with, I love the things I've learned from them and the bonds we've formed in service.

I always love my callings.  It seems that whatever my current calling is, it's my favorite.  Before I wrote this list, if someone would have asked me where most of my callings have been, I would have said definitely Relief Society.  However, looking over this list, I realize I have been in the young women's organization or served the youth many times as well.  

A couple of callings that initially caused a lot of stress were Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout leader.  I felt very inadequate in both.  Once I began teaching Sunday School, I realized, "Hey, I can do this!"  I knew I needed to know the material each week, but I also needed to know better how to teach.  I studied teaching methods a little more and realized learning how to ask good, open ended questions made a huge difference in class participation.  I was also able to not freak out as much when I reminded myself that I was leading the discussion and there was no need to teach an hour sermon each week.

When I was called as a Cub Scout leader, I was terrified.  It felt so foreign.  I had nothing to pull from my personal experience.  (It gave me respect for new members with new callings for sure!)  Parker was almost in Webelos, so I had been to pack meetings, but Brian had always worked with him for any scout related things.  I read the parent portion of the Cub Scout handbook and learned so much.  I really wish I would have read that when my boys first joined scouts.  It was enlightening.  

Week by week, we plodded through scouts, and I learned each week how to lead a little better.  I do have some regrets.  I wish I would have let the boys be a little more hands on and wild each week.  We did do some fun things like a hike, a visit to a Fire department, a field trip to see the 9-11 flags at Memorial pond, and a medical helicopter tour.  I learned to love each group of active boys, and I enjoyed my scouting years.

I think the calling I am repeatedly called to is a member of the Relief Society presidency.  I feel very comfortable here.   I love serving with and among the sisters in the church.  I love listening to them.  I love learning from them.  I love serving them and serving with them.  I love my fellow sisters young and old.

When Odessa 4th ward was dissolved, everyone was released. So after 3.5 years, I am no longer the Relief Society President.  I haven't received a new calling yet.  I am looking forward to serving wherever I am called.  I do love the opportunities serving in the church gives me to stretch and grow in many ways.

Volleyball Banquet

Aub had her volleyball banquet this week.  She was so excited.  It was fun to watch her celebrate her season with her teammates.

Getting ready....  The kids had a half day at school so she should have had plenty of time.  However,  her basketball coach had a practice that afternoon starting at 4:00.  The three v-ball girls were stressed.  They asked if they could leave at 5:00 so they would have time to get ready and be at the banquet by 7:00.  She made it work!

This is her friend Elizabeth.  They were not on the same v-ball team, but they are on the same basketball team.  (I think only three girls from all four of the PHS volleyball teams chose to tryout/play b-ball this season.  I wonder if Aubrey might end up choosing one or the other the next couple of years.)

She looked gorgeous.  I do wish her dress was a bit longer for sure though.  (Like four inches...)  We searched and searched for a modest dress in her school colors.  We went to every store in our area we thought might possibly have banquet dress options.  We also ordered three in from Amazon and borrowed one from Lauron.  Sheesh!  This was our best option.  I was glad she felt confident and excited about going to the banquet. 

I also loved that Brian teased her a bit by whipping out his selfie stick in the car on the way over.  She kept saying things like, "Dad, put that away."  "Dad"  "Dad, I swear if you bring that in..."  I couldn't quit laughing.  He's a funny guy and knows just how to keep things lite.  (He may have stressed out his 14 year old daughter just a bit, but that's good for her!)

Missionary Letters

I really loved both Brinley and Parker's letters last week (October 25, 2021.)   I thought it was pretty cool how they both spoke about the plan of salvation and life after death too.  I will copy and paste here:

Parker's letter

Subject: Transfers

Tuesday Elder Opoku-Ware got some sad news that his oldest brother passed away. When he was very healthy and it was very unexpected. So that made for a hard and different week. But I've been surprised how well he is taking it. Definitely better than I'd do. We have had a lot of opportunities to talk about it and how he's felt. And he explained how he was sad that his brother has passed but he knows the plan that God has for us. We know that God loves us so he made a plan for us after death to be able to all return to Him and live with Him again. And the reason God sent us on this earth is to become like Him and to prepare to meet Him. And Elder Opoku-Ware knows that his brother on his earthy life lived a good life and so he's not too worried. Death can be a scary thing and for the people you leave behind on this world ot can be a very sad thing. Alot of people believe that after death everything is just over. But I know that it's not and we all have a chance to live in heaven with our Heavenly Father again. 

This week we also got the transfer news and I'm just a little nervous. So every 6 weeks is transfers and people get moved around. The first 2 transfers is called training so for people like me new to the mission can learn how things are done. So I just finished my training. Well ig I finish Wednesday. But for the transfer I got moved to Akuse and I'm now training. Its a little faster than I'd like to start but it will be good for me and definitely help me to grow. So some extra prayers will definitely be appreciated.

I also got to go on another exchange with Elder Johnson. It was really fun to see the mission life in Africa with 2 Americans. One thing I've just recently come to realize is that because I'm serving in Africa I'm coming I contact with other missionaries from all over Africa and America. So it's been fun to see how different all of our lives are but how fun it is to get to talk to them and to be able to make friends so easily. 

I love and miss you all 

Also I get French fries again today so t me up. 

Me and Alpha Barry (he's my favorite person were teaching)

Me and opokus reflection on our motos helmet 

Riding a bike an African way (I can't count on my hands the difference ways you can put more than one person on a bike)

Walking with some Elders 

Me and Johnson 

Breakfast 

Saying good bye to members 

Brinley's letter

Subject: Eternal Happiness😇

This week was the best ever. I realize I say that every week but that's just cuz I'm having the time of my LIFE here in Nampa. 

I love my mission. So much. The people I've met here are having such a huge impact on who I am and who I want to become. 

Someone said this week that missionary work is healing- and I 1000% agree!! I have never felt so happy and so whole my entire life.

Burkleigh and Colin got sealed in the Temple this week. (There story of how they met is pretty much my favorite ever so ask me about it  if you want to hear the good stuff ahah). 

They were the very first people I met when I came to Nampa, and being present for the Temple sealing (marriage for eternity!!) was such an amazing experience. 

Earlier in the week was full of miracles as well. On Monday, we went to a house where our friend Loren lived. With Loren, lives a lady who I'll call Sarah. 

The very first time I met Sarah, she slammed the door in my face. 

The second time she had us eat outside with Loren while she stayed inside.

The 3rd time she hid behind a potted plant when we ate at the dinner table. 

But during that 3rd time, we decided to share a message with her about hope in Christ anyway. And as the invitation we invited her to list three things she was grateful for each day.

Honestly by the 4th visit we really weren't expecting Sarah to interact with us at all. She was gone the whole visit, but joined us for the prayer  To our surprise, right as we stood out to leave, Sarah came out of the other room and asked "so what's the homework for me this time?" 

We sat right back down😂 

Every time we had prayed before, Sarah would jokingly inform us where the fire extinguisher was "just in case." We felt prompted to ask her a little bit more about her experience with prayer.

And then this sweet lady opened up about everything. She used to pray. She used to go to church. But then she had a beautiful daughter who passed away at a very young age.

Why would God take her away from her? Why would she only have a few short years with her only to never see her again?

Suddenly all of the door slamming and the behind-the-plant hiding made sense.

Why would she want to talk to people who represented the God who seemingly took everything away forever?

I don't know if I've ever felt such love for a person or for this Gospel ever in my life.

We were able to testify to Sarah that Heavenly Father loves her sweet little baby as much as she does. That He didn't take her away out of spite. And that He provided a way so she can see her baby again!! Because of God's amazing plan, death is never the end. 

Tears streamed down her face and I had yet another moment where I realized that I would serve 18 months over and over again if it meant that Sarah alone got to have hope to lift off the burden of never seeing her daughter again. A burden she'd been carrying for 25 years.

Missionary work can be hard. I don't often tell you all the hard parts or the awkward parts or the hundreds of times I don't have a clue what I'm doing.   

There are a good amount of all of those parts! Especially the awkward and the "I dont know what I'm doing ones."

But why would I share those when there are people like Sarah and Burkleigh and Angie who need this message so desperately.

I need this message so desperately.

I hope you all realize how blessed you are to know what you know. Most of the people on this email list have been taught at a young age that they are of infinite worth. That they have a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior who would give ANYTHING for them. And who ultimately gave them everything.

Don't take that for granted!! You know how to live with your families and your friends forever. Unfortunately, most people don't have that assurance. 

My invitation to you today is

Don't throw away your happiness.

There will be hard times and frustrating members and judgemental church culture and activites you don't want to go to and sometimes it may seem easier to just take a break from it all and find your own "freedom" somewhere else.

Don't. 

You know this is true. And if you don't, find out!  

You find out by reading the scriptures, going to church even when you dont want to, living by the commandments and asking sincere questions in prayer. (Emphasis on sincere). 

I invite you to use this week to live the gospel even more deeply and sincerely than you ever have before. Do everything you would do if you believed it all 100% more than you already do. Be more open and more friendly and read and pray a little more sincerely. 

Then see how it affects your life!! I know that this knowledge that is changing people here in Nampa, Idaho can change you just as deeply. But only if you let it in. So this week (and every week), let it in! 

I love you all!!

-Sister Gwilliam 

Pictures

-me and sis Parker 》spa, pumpkins, and bday Selfie

-Colin and Burkleigh♡

-sometimes you just have to take a 3 minute nap

-Angee and her sister missionaries at an Elder D Todd Christopherson devo!