Category: Life according to Angela

Sister leaders

Molly and Karen

There were so many surprises awaiting me when I was called to be a stake Primary president. Actually, everything was a surprise. I didn’t know anything a stake Primary president was supposed to do. (Someone told me that my job was to show up and look pretty… Um, no, but I do find myself smiling a lot.)

I didn’t know how much I would be working with bishops and their counselors.

I didn’t know that high councilors would become my friends.

I didn’t know that in addition to my presidency, I would grow close to the stake Relief Society and stake Young Women presidents. (Pictured above.)

I didn’t know that the stake presidency would take so much time to listen to the concerns and ideas of sister leaders.

I didn’t know how often I would be called upon to speak to different congregations, sometimes with very short notice.

I didn’t realize how much I would admire the ward Primary presidents and see their strengths so clearly. I didn’t know that I would be praying for so many children and parents.

On Sunday, the stake Relief Society presidency was released and a new set of sisters was called. I will miss sitting with Molly in stake council meetings and on the stand during stake conferences. She served in her calling while I was a ward Relief Society president, so she has been a kind of mentor to me for 7 years.

I never pictured myself in this leadership role. I don’t see myself as a Primary leader type, but the more I let go of my ideas, my limiting thoughts, and my personal script, the more I grow.

summertime snaps

We are in the final week of summer break. This morning I took some time to look over some snapshots and screenshots from the last few months, and chose a few to share. These are some of people and places I want to remember. Two really good friends passed away. We have been really focused on wedding preparations. Mark was gone a lot, and his social connections got stronger. Richard worked from home. I lived my own version of The Secret Garden, increasing my strength. We planted a lot of flowers, and I am especially proud of reclaiming my favorite corner of the yard, the one that feels like a forest. We sat beneath outdoor lights on many nights. Paige and Michael were especially helpful hanging the lights. Tim made it to Guam. We said goodbye to friends who are going on a mission. Lots of lasts and firsts this summer. This means growth.

Thou crownest the year with the goodness.

Psalm 65:11

Sara and Christopher

Sara and Christopher’s reception completes our summer as a wedding reception venue. I don’t have many photos, but it was a lovely evening. I love celebrating events and milestones at our house.

Besides the happy couple, my favorite memory is the cousins from Shari, Richard, and Rebecca’s families laughing and joking together in our kitchen as we packed up lots and lots of marbles and flowers. Little things.

Open House for Daniel and McKenna

This is what we have to show for our family’s efforts this summer, a party full of lights and people, a celebration for Daniel and McKenna.

So many people helped us, and I have kept a record of the tender mercies that got us to this day.

Image by Mike’s Photo
Image by Mike’s Photo

watching a flight

We changed the flag in front of our house as our missionary flew from Vancouver to his original mission assignment in Guam this week. It is a time of competing feelings, and we are thankful for the kindness of so many people in Vancouver, and look forward to hearing about Tim’s mission experiences in Guam.
9 pm
around 10 pm
1:30 am
3 am

Because of an email error, when Daniel arrived at his mission, I didn’t hear from him for a week. I just wanted to know he had arrived safely.

This time, Google automatically added Tim’s itinerary to my calendar, so I had updates on my phone for the 27 hours he traveled. I could also check the progress of the flights on a website. Don’t judge me, I was desperate for news last time. I didn’t want the same story this time.

It is a tender mercy just to know.

The kindest thing

On this wedding week, there is no such thing as the single kindest thing someone has done, but this story ranks near the top.

This is the Hernandez family. They live near Vancouver, British Columbia, and they love missionaries. They consistently and lovingly invite our missionary and his companions into their home to feed them dinner and offer support. Bishop and Sister Hernandez recently welcomed home both of their sons from missions, and they are enjoying a road trip in the western U.S.

Tim is flying to Guam on Monday night, experiencing the biggest transfer of his mission, and has a lot of winter gear for Canada that he will not need in the South Pacific. The Hernandez family arranged to drive his and another elder’s extra clothing to Utah.

They drive a sedan and there are four of them, so there was not a lot of room, yet they took Tim’s Blundstone boots and two bags of clothing, plus a similar amount for the other elder. Sister Hernandez reassured Tim that she wouldn’t mind holding a bag on her lap if there wasn’t enough of room in the car.

So, I met these lovely people at the Payson temple. They carried his bags to my car for me, smiling, and then we took pictures. I consider them instant and forever friends.

Virginia Reel 2022

Instead of, “Bow to your partner,” my brother Paul the caller said, “Pose for the camera.” 😂

Our family reunions are over, there is one week until the wedding (pray!), Mark is on Pioneer Trek (pray!), and Timothy flies to Guam in two weeks to begin his missionary work there (pray!). I have exerted so much mental labor over Mark’s piano teacher dilemma and school schedule dilemma that I must have burned some calories with those mighty thoughts. Also, I am laboring to find a new counselor in the stake Primary after Susan’s passing. This is difficult spiritual work.

I have been reading in 2 Chronicles this week. I am trying not to be overly worried or stressed about all that is going on, but sometimes I just swim in concerns. When I read these scripture verses, the words center me a little.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect [completely] toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

“For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Most of the Sanchez family, 2022

big little things

Recently, I awoke very early with a predictable headache from little sleep. I prayed for help, as I had hit a real limit in capacity. The relief came suddenly and completely, beyond what I expected.

Also recently, I prayed on a Sunday morning that I could speak to a particular friend at church. I really needed some insight only she could give. I arrived early to the meeting, prepared to seek her out. She sat down in the seat I had saved, even before I could wave to her and welcome her. Then, the meeting ended 10 minutes early so there was extra time to talk. Her words were incredibly helpful and a specific answer to my prayer.

I don’t think that prayer is like a vending machine, where you just enter your code and money and expect the exact thing you want will drop. But, I have seen that prayers offered during painful times are met with particular tenderness. I have also seen that prayers asking for specific helps towards a solution are effective. This was the case in this prayer to be able to speak with a friend. I didn’t ask that my dilemma just go away, but that I could be given insights in a casual, friendly talk.

My stress is still there, and sometimes I still can’t sleep. My dilemma isn’t completely solved, but these recent answers to prayer are like stepping stones, indicating a path, and the presence of God in my life.

Sometimes, probably most times, the blessings come without my asking. Last week, Paige and Michael came over to help care for Richard’s apple tree. After they bagged hundreds of baby apples, without being asked, they cleared the debris from the backyard which fell during a terrible windstorm. They filled three wheel barrows full of twigs and branches and carried them off the lawn. They were such a blessing that day. Yard work has been a big part of my life lately as we prepare for a wedding celebration, and those branches were a setback. Hooray for inspired and helpful children, and a Father in Heaven who is in the details.

from Anne

Each member of my Primary presidency brings something unique and strong to the team. Susan brought enthusiasm, humor, and great quotes. Shelby brings warmth and resolute testimony. Anne brings evidence of her deep thinking and a faith that has been tried and fortified. I could list many more things for each person, and Anne also consistently brings music to our meetings. This week, as we met without Susan, and with the shock of her sudden passing still with us, Anne played this song. ♥️