April 2024

Here is a glimpse of a few April happenings.

I had my eye out for a Shutterfly magnet sale so we would have a fun Mother's Day gift for Joyce, my mother-in-law.  It was nice because I had already gathered pictures in advance, so when a sale finally came around, I was ready.  I ordered a set for our fridge as well.

Here is the old set.  I think this was from about 4-5 years ago.

The new set.  We definitely have grown due to a few marriages and great grandkids.

Young Men/Young Women activity at the police training facility.

And a glimpse at early morning seminary.  All three of the Odessa wards meet at 6:30 a.m. in the Primary room.  A few of the kids choose to do online seminary due to distance from the building or extra curricular activities.  Britney and Angelique, Aubrey's aunts, trade off weeks to teach.

I love these women.  My sister Britney, my mom (Laurel) and my sister in law Angelique

The granite for our two bathrooms was installed.  It's so pretty!

I was in Dallas and took the opportunity to go on a downtown Segway tour.  I was the only person in the group.  It was interesting and informative.  I learned about a few JFK conspiracy theories and saw from the parade route, the bullets hit.  We went to the art district, saw the old courthouse, visited one of the first homes built in Dallas and learned about the different sky scrapers.  Ironically enough, my Dallas, Texas tour guide was a free spirited man who moved here from Italy seven years ago.  

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Kaide-Just look at those sweet cheeks and his Mr. Potato head glasses.  I LOVE this picture of him!

Recently Aub and friends have expanded their friend group to include Emerson Ormsby, a young man from church. 

We have had to share a few of the house rules...like boys are only allowed in the main rooms of the house.  It just had never come up with Aubrey.  She is willing to comply.  But, before she knew, here they are in her bathroom painting Maci's face.  

Parker Bryce!  I do love this boy.  He is wrapping up his first year at BYUI.  He is coming home to work at the end of this month, and I am really looking forward to having him closer.  He is getting an apartment with some coworkers and will be doing summer sales for Mint Pest Services.  I know he will miss the adventurous lifestyle he lives in Idaho right now.  Here are a few pictures he shared recently.

Shooting

Hiking...I'm so jealous.  Odessa is flat as a pancake.

Pickleball with friends

Erin is the sweetest little momma.  

And to wrap up April, a few throw back pictures of Brinley.  My dad, BLESS HIM, is making a slideshow for her reception so I have been scanning and sending pictures to Brinley to choose from.  Isn't she adorable?

Bryn has always loved books.  She fell asleep reading.  

A Missionary Blessing

 April 2024

A very beautiful experience for me, while we were in Utah, was getting together with the Morales family.  This is a family I taught on my mission back in Glendale, California in 1995.  Gloria was a single mom of two young boys: Chris, 13 and Mikey, 7.  Gloria had three jobs, was always smiling and was never still when she was at home.  I remember following her from room to room as she did laundry and dishes. Sister Filianga and I did our best to help lighten her load while sharing gospel messages.  

Chris, me, Gloria

I served a mission a couple of years before email became accessible to the public and well before cell phones and social media became a way to communicate.  Because of this, I have lost touch with many of those I met and loved on my mission.  I am so grateful that Chris found my mission business card which had my parent's home address and sent a letter before he set off on his mission.  Many years later, he has been really thoughtful to reach out over Facebook from time to time to keep me updated.

I really can't even describe the joy I felt at this reunion.  Being in Chris' Christ centered home felt sacred.  Meeting his beautiful wife and handsome sons and watching them interact was so sweet.  Gloria lives with them and Chris, Becca and Gloria help care for their disabled nephew/grandson.  

Chris, Becca & their nephew. 

A few years after  she was baptized, Gloria shared the gospel with her sister.  I was able to meet her sister, Virginia, and some of Virginia's family at this gathering.   To witness the continued faith of Chris, Gloria and Virginia and have a glimpse of some of the blessings the gospel has brought into their lives was a tender mercy. 

Chris, Becca w/ Noah, Brinley, Derek, Oliver, Leo, ?,  Brian, me, Gloria (black skirt), church friend, Virginia w/ son-in-law and two grandsons and church friend on the end
 

This gathering made me think of Alma when he unexpectedly encountered the son's of Mosiah and he “did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord...."

Brinley's College Graduation

April 2024

Brinley Gwilliam, Brigham Young University, Communication Disorders

We are so proud of this young lady.  She has always been a dedicated student, and it was amazing watching from afar as she continued her love of learning at BYU.  She discovered Communication Disorders her Freshman year and felt good about pursuing that path.  Bryn earned scholarships throughout her undergrad that covered her tuition each semester, and she applied to and was accepted in the graduate program for Speech Language Pathology at BYU that will begin in the fall.  See what I mean?  She is pretty impressive!

I'm grateful Brian and I were able to fly out for the graduation and spend a few days with her.  Here are some fun pictures from graduation day.

Her cheering section.  Each graduate was given only three tickets to share, and the Marriott Center was packed.  

We had a few other family members graduating and it was a lot of fun randomly meeting up among the crowd.

I LOVED running into my sister-in-law, Angelique Vore, right before commencement.  She put her degree on hold as she supported her husband through school and raised six children.  The past few years I've watched her work so hard to try to balance parenting, grandparenting, busy callings and the craziness of life while working on her college classes.  I'm so proud of her for finishing her degree. 

We now live ten minutes apart, but neither of us expected to run into each other unplanned.  We were both a bit emotional, and it was definitely a tender mercy.  She was my best friend throughout my teenage years, and she was able to help me adjust to my first year at BYU.  She was a big Sophomore.  We even got to be roommates during Spring and Summer of my Freshman year.  Then she ditched me and married my brother, and we have been able to raise our families together in the big O.  Congratulations Ang!

Ang's son-in-law, Jeff Freeman, was also graduated on this day.

And this cute guy is Jeff and Erin's baby, Davey

I slipped out during one of the talks and ran into another friend from my teen years in Odessa: Daniel McKown.  His mom and sister-in-law both still live in Odessa and are great friends of mine. He has raised his family in Utah and is a campus officer.  It was  fun to see him after so many years.

Sarah Gwilliam married my nephew, Kyle, last year.  She and Brinley were in the same undergrad and will both be going to BYU for grad school in the fall.

 Brinley, top center, with some of her friends from her major.

Let me just say this, we may have traveled 954 miles to see Brinley and help her celebrate her big day, but she only had eyes for Derek.  Not even kidding.  When we all met up at after commencement, I'm not sure we even got a hug.  Then Brian and I walked a respectful 5 feet behind the lovebirds as we moved through the crowd to find a picture spot.  Turkey girl.

Good thing Derek is a great guy.

Evidence of  his charm and her infatuation!  (I do think this picture is the cutest.)

Wish we could have taken a picture all together, but everyone around us was also taking pictures.

The hugs eventually came.

After pictures, we went to the Cougar Eat and enjoyed Chic-Fil-A and A/C.  There was a couple hour break before her college graduation ceremony.  

I love this staircase in the Wilk.  It also leads up to the office were Brinley worked her Junior year.

We eventually walked back to the Marriott center for her college ceremony.  As Brinley was lining up outside with several hundred students, she realized that the morning ceremony was great.  Her head was beginning to hurt, and she's decided she'd rather have a nap.  Amen sister!  I'm always up for an afternoon nap.  Brian and I headed back to the hotel.  

That evening we were able to meet up with Brinley, Derek and Derek's parents for dinner.  It was nice to meet Colleen and Thayne and get to know Derek and his family a little more.  The Atkinsons have been great to welcome Brinley into their home and their family.  It was really sweet of them to drive up two hours from Delta, to meet us and celebrate Brinley.

We are proud of you Brinley Kate!

Grad Weekend Visit

April 2024

Brian and I really enjoyed our weekend in Utah.  Brinley and Derek had a couple of weddings to attend so we weren't always together, but we made things work.  We were able to go to the temple together.

Brian wasn't feeling well so he didn't go with us.

Probably my favorite time with Brinley was a little hike we took.  Because of my lower back being whacked up, I couldn't go too long or far, but it was great talking and walking together.   I felt like we were able to dive a little deeper into life since it was just the two of us.  It was also amazing being in nature. 

Brian and I were able to do a quick drive up to the canyon on afternoon as well.  

We were also able to be with our Gwilliam family which was the best.  I wish I thought to take pictures.  Bruce and Denise are always so gracious to open their home for us and also for family gatherings.  We stayed there a couple of nights before heading home.  They had a Sunday night dessert/game night too where several more of the extended Gwilliam family was able to come. 

Here are a few pictures I scavenged from Brian's phone.  They are kind of random, but at least there are a few from our gathering.

Sarah and Kyle, the newlyweds of a year.  They are really cute, and she loves sports, especially watching basketball, so they make a great pair!

Brian snapped this one of Bruce, his twin....probably to tease him about at a later date.

Megan and Griffin's daughter, Grace is adorable...spunky and outgoing.

Tyson and Griffin  

On Saturday, I had lunch with my sweet friend, Marci Goodman, whom I served with in the Odessa Texas Stake RS presidency in 2022 and 2023.  She drove to Utah from Wyoming just to meet up for lunch.  I felt very loved that she would make that sacrifice, and we had the best time catching up.