Chapter 1

I finally feel like talking about being released as Relief Society President. But first I want to record how I came to become Relief Society President of Lacey 4th ward. This is my journaling method right now, so I apologize for the boring aspects of my story, but I don't want to forget. And besides, 'they' keep saying how my great-grandkids will get a kick out of hearing about their great-granny in the olden days.
When the wards that met in the Nisqually chapel outgrew themselves, the boundaries were changed, all the wards shifted, and a new ward was created. There was a special meeting held at the Stake Center where the speculation and rumors would finally be dispelled and the boundaries formally announced. We had in our minds the logical way this would take place, and were pretty satisfied that we would be 'safe' with all our friends sticking together.
After a song and an inspirational message, the screen finally came down and a large map with highlighter boundaries was shown. There was a little nervous chatter and surprised sounds as the whole thing looked quite different than we guessed. Beachcrest and Jubilee were chopped away from each other, and the boundaries on the other side of Martin Way were different too. After the shock of that settled down, the Stake President started announcing temporary callings to help make the transition while the real callings could be organized and set apart. I had a piece of paper and a pencil handy and was furiously taking notes. I remember writing and saying, "Oh, good call. Oh, that's a good choice. Oh, of course." On down the list he went, until President Coppin said, "Vicki Seversike as Relief Society President of Lacey 4th ward." I quit writing and looked at Danny and said, "What? What did he say? Did he say me? Can he do that?" He put his hand on my knee and said, "You'll be fine." I didn't hear much after that.
As the meeting ended and we started to make our way out of the chapel, people were congratulating me, and saying they were happy for me. "No, no, no," I said, "this is just temporary until they find the real one." I was pretty sure this was true, because you don't call a real RS President over the pulpit, right?
Within a week or so, the youth had created a system wherein numbers were assigned to create a short hand to explain where you were from. A "34" was a previous 3rd ward, now 4th ward member. A "46" was an old 4th warder who was now a new 6th ward member, and so on. A little clinical, but efficient.
As I pondered on this calling a hundred things went through my head. What would I do with this brand new group of people who were fragments of different wards? How would we come to know and love each other? What would the personality of this new ward be? Would there be a way to quit being 'them' and 'they' and become 'us'? I decided very quickly that I would use whatever time I had to try to sew these very different fabrics into a new and colorful quilt. I thought that since I only had a little time before they found the real president I had nothing to lose. I also decided that we were going to have some fun while it lasted.
The first Sunday we met there were 8 ladies, and that included the presidency. The ward was so small that almost everyone was needed in Primary. The only sisters we had were the ones with Sunday School callings, who could join us 3rd hour. We played getting to know you games, and all the ice breakers I knew, especially the ones that required you get up and move around. There would be no, "we're on this side and you stay over there" seating arrangements. We laughed. We shared fears, and hopes and dreams. When you got honest, it turned out everyone was nervous, but really had a deep desire to become one. It reminded me a lot of my blended family. Where so many hearts desire to create something good you can hardly fail. And, like my children, who showed Christlike love for their new family and created something amazing, the Relief Society sisters did the same thing. They threw open their hearts and took everyone in. It was beautiful to behold.
There were no manuals, no notebooks, no notes, no nothing. Everything went with the other president to her newly assigned ward. We were feeling our way in the dark. We created everything from scratch. After a while President Coppin said that he'd like to make this calling permanent, and by then I was in love, and though scared to death, was delighted to accept.

Let's Try It....

For January's family dinner the theme was Emergency Preparedness. We all agreed that whatever we made would use emergency preparedness tools, or have ingredients from our storage in it. The guys used their dutch ovens to make dinner, which was amazing, and the women successfully used storage items to make wonderful contributions. For example, Jenna used her wheat grinder to make wonderful bread. For me, one of the lessons learned was that food can take on a metallic taste if stored in #10 cans for 15 years. I'm sure in a true emergency that would be no big deal, but I need to rotate better. I threw out some stuff I should have used sooner. I also made a great cake, but used frosting in a plastic container that tasted like plastic. I scraped it off and made homemade from powdered sugar I had in storage. But that was the point!! We used it, we learned, and we had a great time. I got our candles and lanterns, and bit by bit over the course of dinner I turned off all the lights, until we were eating by candlelight. It was great fun, and the kids thought it was very adventurous. Chris decided we weren't heating water on the campstoves for clean up, though, not with dutch ovens and dinner for 20 people to clean up. (I didn't argue!) In an emergency, like camping, it seems like you just work on food for a majority of your day, either preparing it or cleaning it up. Everyone took home a little green lantern as a reminder that we want to stay focused on our goal to be prepared.

When the kids were little and depended on me for their welfare I remember the weight of that responsibility. It was sobering to know if they were hungry or cold they would look to me with those innocent faces and trust me to make it better. I want us all to work hard to be prepared to the best of our abilities. Heavenly Father will bless our efforts as we concentrate on that goal. When we get nervous and scared about the condition of the time, turn that energy into a positive action. We've been promised if we are prepared we shall not fear. Love ya!

...Warm Woolen Mittens....

I delight in those first moments when the silence is blasted away by the first "ding-dong" of the doorbell. That's Lucas and Jacey, or possibly Ethan. Depending on who arrives first, I'm going to hear these things within the first few seconds; "Where's Grandpa?" (Jacey again), "Where's Jacey?" (That's Ethan) "When are we going to eat?" (David) "Can I watch Brotha Bear?" (Lucas) "Can I get out the Legos?" (Asa) Then I usually say something like, "I'm not tellin' till I get a hug". I get my obligatory squeeze and they're off...

..."Brown Paper Packages Wrapped Up With String..."

I am amazed at how fast time goes, and how long it's been since I downloaded pictures. I will catch up little by little, but I just have to pick one or two favorites from the wonderful holiday season so recently past. It may seem like forever ago, but Christmas was actually just less than a month ago. Given that, you'll forgive me for going back even a bit more?
Thanksgiving didn't disappoint. It was full of wonderful smells, tastes, laughter, and always, always, there is love at home.
Christmas was really fun, too. Emily made our pinata again, which was a dandy! (I have picture uploading challenges, so forgive the separation of events into different posts.)
Oh, of course; she took my toy, and I was playing with that, he broke what I made, and she is hiding Legos, and I can't believe you did that, and that hurt my feelings-- but the really amazing part is how any mother can correct any child, any mother will cheer on any child, and that child can go to that mother for help, and any mother will do when you need a drink, or a hand up, or a story read. Any mother will share a bite, and any mother will kiss your boo-boo. Any mother will listen to your plight and try to make things better. It's remarkable, and yup, it's getting noiser, more crowded, ---- and more fun all the time.

What IF?

"What would happen if it snowed and snowed and we had to stay here together?"
"Oh, honey, that would never happen."
"But what if it did?"
"We really don't get that kind of snow around here"
"But what if it did?"
"Well, we'd probably get sent home early if it looked like it was going to snow that hard."
"But what if we WANTED to stay here?"

Chrismas Mistake

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations-extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend in the evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several parents quietly scampering to their places. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor,. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas", I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. When my son's class rose to sing "Christmas Love", I was slightly taken aback with its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and brightly colored snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage- held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing, "'C' is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then "'H' is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas is Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet girl in the front row was holding the letter "M" upside down. She was totally unaware that her letter "M" appeared as a "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood; the reason why we were there, why we celebrate the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"CHRISTWAS LOVE"

And, I believe, He still is.