Memories of my Grandma

My written memories were not read at the funeral services, so I thought I would post them here...

The past several days I have been working on the slideshow of Grandma’s life.  As I worked with my Mother and other family members on gathering images, many memories of Grandma came to light.  I learned many things from her once again in the process of viewing her beautiful life, with these precious images. Here are five things that I learned from Grandma this past week.

First and foremost, I learned that you must be present. Grandma was always there.  It didn’t matter what was going on, if you called her, she came.  I remember Grandma and Grandpa driving with us to Lake Isabella for one of my basketball tournaments in Junior High. She attended countless recitals, parades, graduations, baptisms, christenings, court of honors, weddings, and many church services that held importance to our family.  My goal is to be more present in my extended family’s life, whenever possible.  

The second thing I learned, was to be in front of the camera every once in while.  Her hair was many colors, her fashion told the time, and she always smiled.  At the end of the day, all that matters to your loved ones is that you were there.  We are so blessed that she took so many pictures and was willing to be in so many. I will try to follow her example and get in front of the camera more often.

Third, I learned from viewing the photos of Grandma was to share your talents.  She was a woman of many talents.  She sewed, crocheted, and quilted many beautiful things for all of her family.  She even developed other talents later in life.  I remember taking her to scrapbooking crop nights with me and helping her work on Grandpa’s scrapbook.  I will cherish those memories we spent together scrapbooking and work on developing and sharing my talents with others.

Fourth, grandma loved to travel.  She took her grandchildren everywhere she could--the beach, Yosemite, San Francisco, Disneyland, and more.  I learned from Grandma that I need to go out and explore this beautiful world, and to take a walk more often--and maybe even buy a motorhome!

Last, and perhaps the most telling in all of the photos was her selfless love she had for her family.  She served us all in many ways.  I remember the time Grandma and Grandpa drove to Provo, Utah during my first winter at BYU, just to take me shopping.  She knew I was homesick and wanted to make sure I had enough warm clothing to survive.  She was generous to a fault.  We can all learn from her example of selfless love.

Grandma Beylik was and will forever be, the quintessential Grandma! My life and my family’s life has been richly blessed from having her as our Grandma.  I am grateful for my knowledge of my Savior and his Plan of Happiness.  I know she is on the other side reunited with Grandpa and all of her loved ones who have gone before. Thank you Grandma for your beautiful life and all the wonderful memories.

Rolling Right Along

We have been busy with the start of school.  Everyone has settled into the routines and their new schools.  I don't think I will ever get used to early morning seminary.  I counted the years and I will be driving to early morning seminary for the next 10 years, with breaks in between when my boys start driving themselves--now there is a scary thought for you.  We are surviving and rolling right along.  Here are the kids' school pictures and a few updates...

Chloe-2nd Grade

She is loving school and being with her friends.  She is getting very creative with her fashion and accessorizing.  She loves watching Mako Mermaids and enjoys playing with her dolls and toys all over the living room. 

Trevor-6th Grade

Trevor is loving Middle School, in his words, "Middle School is awesome!"  I am so glad he has a great group of friends, and is enjoying school. He just got an iPod and is loving it--excuse all his iMessages to family members. He is excited for the Flag Football season to start up!

Jacob-9th Grade

Jacob is enjoying the start of High School and his busy schedule not so much.  He has been having fun playing on the Freshman Football team.  It is going to definitely be a ride as we navigate the High School years with our oldest.  He is off to a great start.

As for myself and Eric we are kept busy with work, church, and family.  Eric continues to travel frequently and is keeping busy with his church responsibilities.  I am in my 12th year of teaching and still working to find the balance between work and home. I am now serving as the secretary in the Stake Young Women's organization at church. Dang, this felt like a Christmas letter update. I suppose I need to start planning our fall family photo. 

Giving It Your Best

My Sunday morning started pretty normally.  Then, 8:00 am struck and the kids started to get ready. Trevor couldn't find his white shirt, which I need to email the 4th of July pageant about, and Jacob couldn't find a single pair of shoes, except for his football cleats and slides to wear.  We looked everywhere for these articles of clothing, but no success.

We frantically looked for a shirt from Eric's older stack, nothing would fit Trevor.  We recently cleaned out his closet and so he had no shirts that fit previously.  Luckily, we found a light pin striped shirt that fit from his brother's side of the closet. One problem solved, one to go.  Jacob continued his search until the last minute.  I was even ready before him!  He settled on an old pair of slides and black church socks.  On the way to church he colored in the Nike swoosh with a sharpie and I just laughed to myself. When we arrived, he opted to only wear his black socks.  Yes folks, he wore just his dark socks to church.  But hey, we were on time!!

As I sat in church enjoying the service, in between settling quarrels and quieting children, the thought struck me how well put together we all seem while at church.  We put on our Sunday best each and every week to worship.  We honor him by doing our very best.  That is all that is asked of us. The only question that remains is, did we truly give it our best?

Jacob fulfilled his priesthood duties and was set apart as the 1st counselor in his teacher's quorum while rocking his socks, so yes, I think we gave it our best today.

May Day, May Day!

While I was walking down the hall before school started, I heard a sweet voice shout, "Mrs. Williams, I brought you flowers!" I turned to look at where the voice was coming from. It was one of my students standing at the gate, holding his handpicked bouquet of flowers over the fence. He was wearing his backpack and bike helmet. He was so excited to give them to me. It really was the sweetest thing ever and made my heart happy. Newsflash!!! I am not stellar every single day. I am only human after all. You see, sometimes, my students get me at my best and worst. This time of year is overwhelming to say the least. I could make an endless list of things that have to be done before the final bell on June 1st, but that would just cause my anxiety to ramp up. And don't even have me write a list of all my children's events! Not going to lie, sometimes I have those "May Day!" moments and feel as though I am going to literally crash and burn. I occasionally joke that teacher appreciation week, my birthday, and mother's day were invented just for me, so I would make it to the end of the school year. I am beginning to think it's not a joke anymore. I find myself needing those handmade cards, handpicked flowers, and candy bar, just to make it to the end. So thank you for the small acts of kindness from the thoughtful students and parents, whether it is during teacher appreciation week or any other day of the year! It is always welcomed and reminds me why I do what I do, because sometimes I need to feel appreciated and loved, even when I am at my worst, so I can continue to give it my best!

Beyond our Capacity

Ten years ago this spring our family began our journey living in the Mojave Desert.  It was a test of our faith, not knowing or fully comprehending why we were led to this place.  We just knew it was where the Lord wanted us to be.  As the years have passed, knew memories have been forged, lifetime goals achieved, and friends have become our family. Fast forward to today, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude during church for the road we have been led down. I felt my Savior's love and acceptance for my meager efforts on this journey.

During our Sacrament meeting today, Eric was released from the Bishopric.  I knew it was going to happen. In fact, last week at Stake Conference he was sustained as the new Stake Clerk. It was inevitable, but as I sat down in church it sort of hit me all at once, and I was overwhelmed.  I am grateful that I have an eternal companion who serves the Lord and the church, loyally, and faithfully.  I have seen him grow and reach beyond his capacity.  I am so very grateful for the opportunity we have to serve in our church, in whatever capacity the Lord's deems we are able.

Sometimes, we may not even understand why we are given the callings we are given at church. Many of us may even find ourselves questioning that, every week as we serve.  However, the Lord sees us differently.  Jeffrey R. Holland said it best, "God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be."  I think that sums up our entire journey, does it not?  No matter where we find ourselves, whatever that path we have chosen, God continues to have his hand in our lives, and for that, I would gladly sit in a church pew alone with my children. We have been so richly blessed as Eric has served in the Bishopric.  

When our journey began here 10 years ago a sweet family invited us over to their home.  I even blogged about it on April 14, 2007.  The Washburns invited us over to their home and offered us their friendship. We have been blessed by their friendship these past 10 years.  Four years ago Eric was called to serve as one of Bishop Washburn's counselors.  I do not feel it was just a calling for my husband.  I have learned so much these past few years as my husband has served the members of our ward.  My testimony has been strengthened in the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the Priesthood of God, which leads this church.  Another one of my favorite quotes by Jeffrey R. Holland,

"Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.

So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men, and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fullness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving."

I am grateful for the kind words said to me today, and yes I am grateful to have my husband sitting back with our family on the pew, but I will miss seeing him on the stand serving faithfully alongside Bishop Washburn.  I am excited for what the next 10 years will hold, as we continue to grow beyond our capacity and serve in what has become our desert oasis!

It's been a while...

Part of me would love to go back and give you updates of 2016, but the realist in me says just find me on Instagram or Facebook.  The ebb and flows of life and changing social media makes blogging seems archaic.  This morning I woke up early and found myself on my computer. I don't know exactly how or why I decided to check out my blog, but I am so happy I did.

I started the blog when we moved to away from family and friends in 2007.  I was isolated and needed a way to keep in touch.  People actually read the stinking blog back then.  I found so many friends and a blogging community.  I think technology does that in a way--fills a void.  This morning as I looked at past posts, I was in awe with how much my children have grown and how much I have lived. I live a blessed life and am so grateful.

In the past year and a half since my last post not to many changes have occurred in our family.  We still live at the same address, Eric still works for the Navy, I am still teaching at the same school, same grade, and the children are growing up to fast!  I just need to remember to pause more often, and reflect on the moments I want to remember most.