To my sister, example, and friend.

I have really enjoyed doing my service this year for Ashley. I love the opportunity it provides for me to put myself in her shoes I’m serving and think of how they would act. I feel like I have grown so much closer to her this year not just because of the service but because I realized more and more how similar we are. 

When we went up to visit in November I was reminded of how similar we are. When she asked me if I wanted to wake up at 5:30 and go exercise I was all In! When she came down to visit us for Thanksgiving and I asked her if she wanted to go play basketball the night before Thanksgiving at 9 PM at night she was all in!

I reached out to her mom and sister to get more inspiration and it really did sound similar to descriptions of me growing up!

"She was determined in anything she tried .... She was elected student body president of her elementary school. Using a little machine she made hundreds of buttons using the slogan, “Cash needs Ash” which took her campaign over the top. She loved soccer and basketball and was very aggressive on the field and court. She was sort of tomboyish, never into makeup or fashion. Always had her hair pulled back in a pony tail."

"Ashley is determined and a problem solver...when she was just barely crawling my mom notes how if she got in a jam (like stuck under the table or something) she would persevere and keep trying until she got out of the jam...while Suz and I would just stop and cry when we were her age and in the same situation.  She has been like that her whole life - a doer, a hard worker, a problem solver. She is determined and will persevere in the face of a challenge."

"Ashley has also always had a tender heart to those less fortunate.  I have seen that throughout her life, but especially noticed how patient and compassionate she was as she helped women who were struggling when she served as RS Pres.  She could talk freely with me as I was not in her ward/stake,  but she always spoke with such kindness about those who needed help, even if their circumstances were a result of their own poor decisions.  I love her Christlike compassion."

To follow Ashley‘s example I decided to try to up my game in my calling as a primary teacher. I really love my calling. I love the lessons and I love my primary kids. As I was unpacking my Christmas decorations this year I found a Christmas ornament that one of Hadley‘s old teachers had made for their primary class. It was so fun to look at the picture from a few years ago and see how all of those kids had grown so much. I decided to embrace that and apply it to how I can improve in my calling and using my pretty terrible craft skills I attempted to make ornaments for each of my primary class. Although they didn’t turn out as perfect as I would have liked I hope each of my students will love it.

Ashley my dear sister. I hope you know how much I truly love you. I am so grateful to have you as a sister but more important to have you as a friend. I get so excited every time I see a Marco Polo from you. I love knowing that I can laugh with you cry with you be uplifted spiritually with you and learn and grow from you.

Since I was just a cardboard cut out at your wedding, the only thing I knew about my new sister-in-law when I was on my mission was she was a gorgeous brunette with long brown curls (based on wedding pictures) that made my brother so extremely happy! I had no idea at the time that we had so much in common and would become dear friends.

The last thing I channeled my inner Ashley for was helping my husband with his Christmas service. This year at Thanksgiving my heart exploded with joy attending a temple session with Chuck and Ashley as the witness couple. This year I have recognized their efforts to support each other in recognizing things they can improve and also looking for ways they can support each other better.

As Michael and I prayed about our Christmas services, I felt very strongly that part of my service was to support my husband in getting his done. We felt Ryan very strongly in our home as we worked on the video. I loved feeling the power of our brother in our home, reminding us how much he loves his daughters and reminding us of the truthfulness that all of us are an eternal family. It reminded my once again that there is no such thing as "in-laws" in heaven. 

Ashley, I am grateful to be your eternal sister!

Love me

Merry Christmas Dixie

Dixie, Dixie, Dixie. Where to begin?

The first time I met Dixie was at McDonalds. She was probably 5 or 6 years old at the time. The Dittbrenners were in Utah and Lani wanted to spend a little time with her nieces so she took Darcy and Dixie on a trip to McDonalds. I don't remember if Lani invited me or if it was one of those, "well, I'm doing this, but if you want to come you can" kind of dates. I remember being surprised by how bold both Darcy and Dixie were for their age. They didn't seem shy at all. Especially Dixie! I remember her telling Lani that she like her other boyfriend better! (Right in front of me, by the way). I thought, to myself, "how did I end up on this date?"

Despite Dixie's warning, Lani and I ended up getting married and this wild girl became my niece. Since then we have had lots of fun times including an awesome cooking contest and the best avatar discussion/nap I ever had.

I'll never forget the avatar discussion. We were at Ryan and Tiffany's house right after Ryan's funeral. I had heard that Dixie was into a tv show called Avatar, so I asked her to tell me about it. The first 5 minutes I was really interested and learning a lot. Unfortunately it had been a really long day and my eyes began to get really heavy. Eventually I fell asleep. From what I understand from the witnesses there this did not stop her from giving me a detailed account about the show. It's unclear when she realized, or cared, that I was asleep but by all accounts... it was a while. She continued to detail out the "amazing" parts of this show. When I finally woke up, I felt bad I had fallen asleep. However I felt very refreshed as well.

Dixie has done a lot of cool things in her life and has many talents. One of her accomplishments was to be a part of an award winning student film. Here is a link in case you missed it.

The first time I saw this show I was really impressed with Dixie's ability as an actress. Her movie making talents inspired my act of service.

Lani recently showed me a Piano Guys video with a song inspired by the death of one their daughters who passed away last year during the holidays. The song talks about how much we miss our loved ones during Christmas time, but that we can take comfort in knowing they are with Jesus.

I thought about Ryan and his loved ones left behind (especially Brooklyn and Zelda) and decided to put together a slideshow of Ryan for his family. This was a very cool experience, and I felt close to Ryan as I worked on it. I felt of the great love that Ryan has for Brooklyn and Zelda. It is important to Ryan, that Brooklyn and Zelda know and remember how much he loves them.

I hope this slideshow and the Holy Ghost can convey to Brooklyn and Zelda the things that Ryan, Heavenly Father, and Jesus want them to know.

Dixie, Thanks for being a great person. I appreciate your kind heart and desire to do what's right. I know this last year has been full of challenges, but I want you to know that your Heavenly Father and Savior love you very, very much. They are mindful of your struggles and pleased with your efforts. Remember that challenges are a part of life and things often times don't go according to plan. Don't get discouraged.  You have many talents and gifts and the Lord is aware of you. I'm grateful to be in your family. Your future is bright!

To Bill, From Wayne

Dear Dear Dear Wild Bill Johnson

As I thought of what I could do for service in your behalf my first thought was easy, I will go to your people, as you call them, at Golden Corral, pick a lucky family or couple, and buy their meal for them. Then I thought of talks that say things like if it’s easy its probably wrong, which was always hard to understand since were always trying to find an easier way. I stayed in the food realm of service though and served at something we had both been recipients of in the past.  It’s kind of the equivalent of the bishop store house. It was ran by another church in Eagle River, Alaska, but many Church member work there. My job was to unload a truck, and sort through fruit and produce donated by the local grocery stores. The good items were set out for people, about half was old or not good and went to the chickens the church raised.  I set it out the good items for some eagerly waiting people hoping to score that week’s fresh produce verses canned items. I thought a lot about hard times of mine and those people who were often embarrassed to be there. I thought of the Savior and what he gives to us.  I was happy as I helped, almost every week.  It sometimes made my week harder, fitting in a Monday morning shift and a Thursday morning temple shift.  You are a great man and I know of your service and love may we continue to take the path less traveled to beautiful places less polluted, is my prayer.

Wayne

See you around the punch bowl and Sunday.

https://www.echoak.com/2019/05/paying-it-forward-with-just-serve-org/

One More Angel in Heaven

This year As I thought of my recipient Tiffany I thought about the major aspects of her life and what has made her the person she is. I couldn’t not think of her sweet angel in heaven. I thought about those firsts and how hard they can be. As I thought about this, I thought of a sweet family in our ward that lost their little 2 year old daughter on Dec 22nd last year. I knew the anniversary of her death would be hard. We just wanted to let them know we were thinking about them. We tried to think of ways we could celebrate Lexi with our celebrating the day of her death. So balloons seemed a bit too festive. So we settled on Pink (Lexi’s favorite color) bows. So early on Sunday the 22nd the YW met at my house. I had arranged to have 12 beautiful bows made up by a florist lady in our ward. We took the 12 big bows and put them on all the lamp posts from our house down and out of the neighborhood. With another spoil of ribbon we made simple bows for the trees that lined the street and for the bushes on their property. We cut out large cardboard hearts and we heart attacked the garage door. We also left a vase with 2 dozen pink roses on her doorstep with a note letting them know we loved them and were thinking of them. Tiff, I’ve had fun the last couple of days hallabalooing with you. It’s been good to see you so happy. Love you, Mitzi

Save Our Planet

I had lots of thoughts when I found out my recipient.  This person gives a lot and is also very resourceful with nature. I was thinking about doing something with the government, but nothing seemed to fit with our service. I wanted to do something with the community and couldn't match up the times. Then our ward was giving the YMCA community garden a foundation with mulch. Uh...PERFECT!! This was my chance to try to act like I had a green thumb like Chuck.

I am always reading how Chuck is working out in his garden or seeing pictures of him teaching his kids the value of creating a garden. His plants always look so healthy and strong. The best part is when we visit and The Gates' prepare a crisp salad, grilled vegetables, and fresh seasoning for the meat. I wanted to give this same opportunity to those who may not have the manpower to get started.

The YMCA had some people build planter boxes and prepared the soil and planted various herbs and vegetables. The problem was that the ground always was muddy or dusty. The solution was to spread mulch all around the garden so that there was a nice foundation for the people to access their plants.

I joined a group of people to tackle this task. The first thing we had to do was lay down a weed fabric. This prevented grass and weeds from growing in the mulch. We had to stake it down and spread it so that all the pathways were covered. Then shoveled the mulch into wheelbarrows from a nearby pile and transported it to the pathways. We had a great time and I really was amazed at how well the plants looked. I could easily see Chuck working the ground, spreading his compost, and picking the fruits of his labor.

I am really impressed with the talent you have in being self reliant in your own backyard. I only wish that my skills even came close to what you have. Thank you for taking care of my nieces and nephews and being so aware of our planet. I would be OK if we were trapped on an island together.