Email from Mom: Sunday, November 21, 2021
From: Your Momma!
Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021
Subject: Sundays
Hey! Happy Sunday to you.How are you? How was your week?
How are things progressing with your dear friends you are working with?
My real question however is how many friendship bracelets did you get
made and distributed this week? Ha ha ha!
Things
are starting to feel normal around here with quiet non-eventful weeks. I
have enjoyed the slow down of what life is doing. I have decided to
very conscientiously make commitments and it has been so good for my
brain to not be over committed. I am not doing 12 days of Christmas, I
am not volunteering for things that come our way, and I learning to
think things through before extending an invitation. It really is nice
to not open my eyes in the morning and be overwhelmed with what could be
on a to do list.
Brooklyn came down with
some sort of something towards the end of the week. She stayed home
Thursday and Friday was a flex day so no school. Part of me wonders if
she made it seem worse than it was because Cutler was going to be out of
town on Thursday too but it is what it is and she will have plenty of
makeup work to take care of. She has a small cough and her voice sounds a
little funny but other than that she seems on the mend. Jada came and
hung out with her while Tyler and I went to the work holiday dinner
(more on that in a minute) last night so I am confident in saying that
school this next week (the 2 days she has it anyways) will be a go.
We
had our Relief Society holiday dinner on Friday night. Frustrating. We
planned for 1/2 of the Sisters in the ward, so 60. We had less than 20
there. Pathetic really. And the expense that was put out just frustrates
the heck out of me. And then to top it off, Katherine Chelius was in
charge of the activity, I gave her a budget and she went almost $400
OVER it. Ugh...I am sure the Bishop will have plenty to say about that. I
guess they can fire me. And today I would be okay with it. Our ward is
super frustrating and slowly dies a little more every single week. Our
average number of attendees on a Sunday is less than 75. When someone
moves out a non member or inactive member moves in. Nobody can be
friendly because it is like some weird competition to be better than
everyone or everyone tries to act like it is a blessing that we get to
have them be a part of the ward or even make an appearance. Nobody
smiles or waves, nobody shakes a hand or extends a hug. It is the most
bizarre thing ever. Tyler and I have seriously considered going to the
ward in Oakley to see how that looks. People split between two homes all
the time. I don't see why we couldn't do the same. Especially when we
aren't really being spiritually 'fed' if you will in our current home
ward. Hard to admit to my missionary daughter but I guess being honest
is better than hiding it right?
Our work
holiday dinner, or well Tyler's work holiday dinner (I realized last
night just how removed he has made me), was interesting to say the
least. I didn't know but maybe 5 people and there were a total of 26
there. The restaurant Tracie chose was downtown and it was horrible. I
will never go back nor recommend it to anyone. The price was ridiculous
that Tyler paid, the food was terrible, the employees are ungrateful and
still expect a bonus on a paycheck in addition to this stupid expensive
night out, and in the end I realized that even as much as Tyler wants
to say it is 'ours'...it clearly is not. I don't want to sound
ungrateful in acknowledging that he is working his guts out so I can be a
Mom and wife and do what it is that makes me happy but it is sure hard
to not feel like I am a part of things anymore too. And if that wasn't
enough, it was sure hard to watch as Tyler interacted with all of the
staff and the super friendly way he did with certain employees. Needless
to say, as I climbed into bed last night I had a gazillion thoughts
(none of which were good) running through my mind that have carried into
today and I would like to just climb into bed and hope that tomorrow
will be better. Ugh...grown up life.
We have
started your challenge of reading The Book of Mormon. I have been
pleasantly surprised by both Brooklyn and Tyler and their willingness to
not just read it but discuss it so that understanding is happening too
along the way. I am so grateful for you extending that to all of us. :)
Thank you.
I love you. And I
need you to know that as well as know that I have you in my thoughts
always. I know I have said over and over as you have served how proud I
am of you but I really really need you to know that I recognize daily
that you have chosen to do something that not many do and you have
chosen to do that in a time where our world is freaking NUTS! I
absolutely love watching as you continue to grow into this amazing adult
who is doing things every single moment of your day that will benefit
others. Selfless and humble. You amaze me and I am so grateful for your
example day in and day out. I hope you have the best Sunday.
I love you for forever and for always. To the moon and back,
Mom
