Category: Life according to Angela

13

Our music room, violin not stowed away so I will practice.

I remember dates from our history, and if I am not careful, this blog could become a log of old memories. Today is another special one. August 13th was the day we moved into our current home 13 years ago. The move had a significant impact on our children’s lives and who they chose to marry.

Paige was introduced to Michael through a friend from our Sandy ward.

Daniel met McKenna in middle school.

Tim met Queenie in high school.

The house has adapted to many configurations of family members, in and out through their college and mission years. Lately we can count on weekend visits from Tim because Queenie lives nearby.

Today the corners of our house hold Queenie’s wedding dress while I finish some alterations, settings and centerpieces for a wedding luncheon, storage for Daniel and Tim’s belongings, and Mark’s old crib in his room for visits from Paige’s family. Most of the time I am alone in the house now. It has been a good house for our family in all our seasons.

Share

August 7 was the 7th anniversary of Daniel’s mission departure and Mark’s 10-month mark as a missionary. This was also the beginning of many years as a missionary mom, as Tim’s mission also deserves mention here.

The missionary years have offered some of the biggest lessons of life for our family.

This short video came up in my feed and I appreciate how he describes one of those big lessons. Whether as a missionary, or basic disciple like me, sharing light matters.

The following passage of Scripture describes the creations of God, including the sun, moon, and stars, but all of His creations can shine His light. I like to think this verse describes an important purpose of life,

And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years…

Doctrine and Covenants 88:44

No. 17

I took a long break, but came back to doll making recently. My dolls are mostly intended for people grieving the loss of a loved one. As I create them, I often try to reflect the clothing style, facial features, and hair of the one I wish to honor.

With Joann out of business, I have lost my usual supplier of yarn and fabrics. And just this week, I discovered that my sources for handmade doll clothes and crocheted shoes are also gone. I have sewn a few outfits over the years, but it was one of those crazy miracles that I could usually find the perfect clothing from vendor booths at a local shop. Anything from cowboy gear to a Hawaiian muumuu, a fairy costume to beautiful white dresses, those little booths were a great help.

I dressed this newest doll in clothing and shoes I set aside years ago, just in case. It felt good to be prepared.

Personal ministry

I have been thinking about personal ministry lately. I’m talking about taking care of people, not by formal assignment, but because I want to. I got a little rusty at this during the last year, focusing on sending Mark on a mission, then reclaiming our home and my identity. As I begin to pick up the service I used to do in my neighborhood, I am realizing that there are skills and strategies to relearn to be a good minister to others.

There are physical strategies, such as having food in the house and freezer to put together a meal, or some simple, wrapped gifts ready for birthday deliveries. Also, having an eye to see who is missing or on the margins and making time to reach out to them.

There is definitely a spiritual component. Often, personal ministry is uncomfortable and makes me feel vulnerable. I don’t think I’m ever confident that I’m saying or doing the right thing. It takes spiritual courage to show up with stumbling words or a gift they might not like.

Understanding my personal limitations is important. Sometimes I want to do something generous, but the week is full or I am depleted, so I do something small or postpone the grand gesture. Whether or not I can do something tangible, I can always pray. I have learned that prayer is a valid and important way to minister.

Fun evening

I took about 200 pictures of Tim and Queenie on Saturday night at Albion Basin with a backdrop of wildflowers, mountain peaks, and a beautiful sunset. Wildflower season brings crowds, and Richard circled in the truck, waiting for a parking spot while we began taking photos. Somehow, among all the brides and grooms and families, we were able to take photos without people in the background. I told them to pretend they were the only ones there and not worry about onlookers. Other times, we had the path to ourselves. I felt pretty lucky to have this time with them.

The Friday before Sunday School

I’m teaching Sunday School in a couple of days, and this is the state of my mind and my kitchen table. I have learned the best preparation is to read the scripture assignment as many times as I can and look for treasures. The Come Follow Me manual is the best study guide.

A small amount of time goes into other research (that stack of books). I don’t listen to podcasts because my class members are already doing that.

I keep notes and ideas on post-it notes to add or toss from the lesson plan, and most weeks the discussion travels beyond this map. In the end, I can’t claim credit for the things people learn from the discussion, but this is my process.

10 years ago…

In church, July 13, 2025

Ten years ago this month, we began serving in a Relief Society presidency together. I didn’t know Charlene and Cindy well, but I knew they should be my counselors. They were the right women for the challenges that came and they taught me so much. We are forever friends.

A lot has happened during the last ten years of our lives: the passing of a husband, health troubles, marriages, missions… But when I walk into church and find them in their usual places, they lift me every single time. Our secretary Kristy has moved away, but she’s remembered and loved, too.

February 2017

Getting ready

We’re getting ready to entertain two young families with babies. Paige and her family are coming, and Celina and her young family are coming to stay with us. Celina and Paige became friends 19 years ago in Arizona and have remained close. It’s time for their little boys to meet. I am populating shelves with toys and books in anticipation. Hooray!

Nominative determinism

Nominative determinism means that our names can influence our interests, personality, and life choices. For example, I knew a girl in middle school named Charisma, and her personality matched her name perfectly. My dad’s name means beloved, and he is! My mother’s name is Carol, and yes, music is a huge part of her life.

My name is Angela Christie. I’ve teased my mom about this in the past, “No pressure with that name, Mom.” When I married Richard, my name became Angela C. Ross. After many years, I noticed that my middle initial and last name spell the word cross. ✝️ (Hopefully the religious kind, not the grumpy kind!)

Sometimes my name stings with the disconnect I see between the real and the ideal. Other days, I am grateful for the reminder of potential and promise.

You and I are called to be better each day, no matter our names or their origins. Those who make and keep covenants become children of Christ and take his name. Nominative determinism suggests that each covenant child is set on a path for a glorious future, and I know that Christ will help us live up to his name if we let him.

Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

Mosiah 26:18