Getting To Know Me

My name is Whitney G, I'm 25-years-old and have lived in Texas for almost 2 years, been in the ward for 1 year.  I grew up in Seattle and went to college at BYU-Idaho.  I majored in Communications Advertising with a minor in Business. 

I currently work for a nonprofit called Faith In Practice.  We are a Christian organization that does medical missions in Guatemala.  I head up our main fundraiser, plan events and design all our materials.  I love my job and am blessed to be able to go to Guatemala this month to serve as a member of one of our teams of volunteers.  I am a little nervous about going; I have never had to get shots just to visit a place before!

During my free time I love to design things. I am totally self-taught, but got my skills to a point where I could open my own little business www.whitneygillisdesign.com. I design birth announcements, wedding invitations, Christmas cards...pretty much anything. 

My best friend is a long haired Chihuahua named Bentley.  I love him most when he sleeps on my lap but sometimes I have to put him in the "doggy snuggie" my mom bought him to calm him down when i am trying to work, he hates wearing it!

I have been teaching in primary for quite some time now so I don't get to know many people over 4-years-old in the ward.  I love my calling, the kids are so sweet and I love seeing them grow in the gospel.  Many of them surprise me with how much they already know and understand.

I love crafting, reading, doing aerobics classes at the gym and wish I was better at interior decorating.

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Getting To Know Me!

My name is Marea G.  I know it takes awhile to get used to saying my name.  It's pronounced (Mar-E-a).  It means "of the sea" and many people tease me about how I grew up near the ocean and did every water sport imaginable and became a lifeguard.  I did synchronized swimming for many years, water polo, swim team, water skiing, wake boarding, surfing, started learning scuba diving, sailing, river rafting, and kayaking.  My favorite thing was coaching the swim team every summer.  There were over 50 kids (ages 7-17) and the team usually won at the District meet every year.  :-)

I was born in Anaheim, CA and moved to Houston when I was 2.  I moved back to California (Venice/Santa Monica area) when I was 9.  I graduated from Venice High school (the school they used to film the movie Grease!  It still looks almost exactly the same) and loved being on the swim team & basketball team and still keep in touch with my best friends from there.  I have on sister that lives near Pasadena, CA.

In the year 2000, I was married in the Los Angeles Temple to Jacob.  From the first day we started dating we have never been apart.  We knew each other freshman year of BYU but didn't start dating until after his mission.  Our dating story was kind of funny.  You'll have to ask us about it!  The same year I graduated from BYU with a BS in Conservation Biology, emphasis Wildlife.  I also loved singing in the BYU Chorale while I was there.

I've lived overseas twice for a very short period of time.  Once I lived in Scotland at a summer boarding school.  That was an adventure.  I toured London with a group of Americans and then lived at the school in Scotland for several months learning everything from British History to Archery.  And once I lived with Jacob, right after we were married, in Sweden.  He had served his mission there and got an internship for 3 months with Johnson & Johnson.  That was also an adventure.  If you're uncoordinated & don't speak Swedish never take an aerobics class in Swedish!  It's also not a good time to learn to drive stick shift or lock yourself out of your house when your husband works far away.

I also enjoy genealogy and have added over 350 names to one side of my tree in just the past several months.  It is a miraculous work and I can't stop!

But, the majority of my time, right now, is spent with my family.  I love staying at home with my three children.  Ryan (8), Krista (6), and James (17 months).  They bring me so much joy.  I never tire of being a mom.

We've lived here for almost a year now and love this ward.  I serve in the primary and am a bit shy.  But, I'd really like to get to know each and every one of you!

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Getting To Know Me!

My name is Erica H.  We’ve only been the ward for 4 short months so many of you don’t know me.  I grew up in Salt Lake City.  I am the third of four children, two older sisters and a younger brother.  While working in college, I met a friend who insisted that I needed to marry her brother in law.  The problem was, he was on a mission.  I sent him a casual letter and we quickly became friends.  Over the course of a year, while writing often we got to know each other well and 6 weeks after his return home, we were engaged.  Quick yes, but it worked for us!

We’ve been married 6 ½ years and he has been in school the entire time.  He is currently finishing his last semester and I couldn’t be more thrilled!  We have three girls, Megan (5), Allison (4) and Rebecca (2).  Megan just started kindergarten this fall and surprisingly, all of my worries and fears of my oldest being gone all day long have been replaced with a quiet home and a happy child.  I’m learning that children adapt and are capable of much more than I anticipated for such a young age.  Allison started preschool and is learning to not live in her sister’s shadow.  And Rebecca is two.  There isn’t much more that needs to be said.  She has a lot of attitude and as much as it drives me crazy at moments, I love it all the same! 

We have been in the Katy area for 3 years.  While Matt was finishing his undergraduate degree we felt a need to leave Utah.  Houston seemed like the perfect place (why I am still not sure.)  We found a job and we moved.  It has been a roller-coaster ride for sure, but one we have enjoyed.  We have learned that the only way to function is to ask for help, which is still difficult to do.  Matt is the youngest of 7 children and we are the only ones who have left Utah.  We miss being around all of our family, especially as the girls grow and they are missing out on the relationships with cousins but the growth and opportunities we have had here have all been worth it.  I sure wish I had spent more time in those mountains while we were there!

When we moved to Katy, we rented our home unsure of what the future would hold.  We just bought our first home and although I love it, the “settled” feeling is not normal for us.  It is hard to imagine that this will be my home for longer than a 12 month lease.  I’m trying to get used to the idea that settled is a good thing for us all.

Things I love include: homemade bread and jam, an early morning run right as the sun is coming up, a good book that captures my mind and emotions, watching my children play in the back yard and date nights!

I currently serve in the Young Women’s organization and I love it!  I’ve served in Primary for years so was unsure about this change but I have quickly developed a love for the girls and the purpose YW’s serves. 

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General Conference Packets

General Conference

October 2-3, 2010

11:00-1:00, 3:00-5:00

Sisters,

Below are some links to help you and your families get the most out of General Conference. Happy listening!

Youth, Senior Primary, Junior Primary, and Nursery Conference Activity Packets

http://scriptures4kids.com/activities-downloads/general-conference.html

Adult Conference Packet

http://www.ldsresources.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/October_2010_General_Conference_Activity_Packet_Notebook.pdf

Getting To Know Me!

My name is Masako P. I was born in a tiny town of Japan not so long after World War II. It seems like WWII happened a long time ago, but I was brought up with the talk of war from my grandmother and my mother. They often told us (I have two brothers) how scared they were whenever they heard the sound of the B-29 flying over, and they couldn’t do anything but hide. They might have been shot. My grandmother was 60 years older than I was and carried the way of very old-fashioned, traditional Japanese woman. My parents were divorced when I was young and I grew up with very few memories of my father. My mother worked to support the family, so we were raised by my very strict grandmother. If we complained about the meals we had, we were not allowed to eat anything and she told us of how during the war there was no food, no place to stay. Growing up during the Japanese Economic bubble after WWII, all I heard and saw was the influence of America and western countries. My mother, who was so grateful of having a job then, truly emphasized getting a higher education. Without her education, she realized she could not get the job she had in a men’s world. Thus, she paid for anything we asked if it was related to education even though our budget was tighter than most families.
I took piano lessons, played volleyball through high school, went to college, and received a dietitian license. Then, I went to sewing technical college which only accepts college graduates. This school has a very intense program. Most nights, I only slept 4 hours doing homework. Before I finished school, I came home to take care of grandmother. She was almost blind then and needed someone with her constantly. My mother did not want to put her in a nursing home, so until my mother retired, my brother and I took turns to care for her.
This was the time I met 2 Japanese Mormon missionaries who were doing door to door proslyting. Since my mother raised her children with her faith, I had believed God in my heart and as a result, I joined the church in 1978. In Japan, Christianity is not that big of a religion, especially because LDS church members don’t drink tea or coffee, and don’t smoke tobacco like many Japanese people. It also makes it very difficult to live in the Buddhist culture. Therefore, the church is seen in a more curious way than an ordinary religion. Many of them don’t really understand the concept of young men and women leaving their homes to serve 2 years for their religion. It’s very expensive to go to church every Sunday because Japanese transportation system is very expensive. So, being a member in Japan is not an easy thing.
Learning English was my dream and I wanted to work using language, so I came to Utah State University to learn English. I had money to go to school for a year. I thought one year could teach me some English. I loved American college system and wanted to graduate, but I did not have money to finish. For foreign students, our tuition is triple of regular students. I tried out for the VB team and made it. I played as a setter at USU and graduated in 1984. I then left for a mission to Georgia in 1985 and upon completion, returned to Japan where I met my husband who was just visiting his friends. We got married in 1987. Our first child, Ty, was born 1988 and Maiya, was born in 1990. From then, my life was completely focused on raising Ty and Maiya. During their elementary years, we woke up at 6 and started practicing Japanese and music. We had a very structured life. We rarely had time to sleep in until Maiya graduated from high school.
I have 3 life- long quilting projects going on. My motto is NEVER GIVE UP. I want a healthy happy life and I’m working on it. I spend quite a bit of time doing SUDOKU, which takes my time and sometimes I really have to put it away. My favorite poem is INVICTUS. I love the last two lines. I understand having faith does not mean we are protected from any troubles and adversaries of the world, but faith will guide me to go through any difficulties we face. I am very grateful to be able to count our blessings.

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Getting To Know Me!

My name is Carolyn (Kelley) P…I was born (literally) in a farmhouse in Whitney, Idaho (bet you have never heard of it) that is close to Preston and just over the border from Logan, Utah. I’m the middle child of three. I have two brothers. When I was nine we moved to Rosemead in Southern California. It was so exciting to move from the snow and cold in Cache Valley to the sunny and palm tree lined streets of California. We all loved it. After High school I attended BYU but didn’t graduate. Instead, I married my high school sweetheart and we will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary this July.
I have three children, Mike (who passed away in 2001), Kelley Anne (whom most of you know) and Kirk who lives in Park City, Utah. Nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. We were a military family and I have lived in Idaho, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Georgia, Athens Greece, Virginia, Florida, Utah, Colorado and now Texas. I really enjoyed meeting wonderful people, both in the church and out, all over our great country. We are so blessed to live in the USA.

I am definitely a morning person…I get up very early and love the quiet time for myself. When we lived in Florida, I would watch the sun come up over the ocean…beautiful. Here I look at our pool and watch the birds, not quite the same but I’m happy.

My hobbies and favorite things are: family, things that are old, cats, books, sports, raspberry (anything), lots of color (paintings, walls, pillows, clothes and shoes) Food (everything but fish), Sweets (especially chocolate), games, puzzles, our country, our flag (I’m very patriotic) and most of all.. I love people.

I have always been a physically active person. The most exciting physical thing I have done was climbing Mount Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado, what a view! When I was younger, I ran 5 miles every weekday, but now I enjoy walking.

I have held many callings in the church. My most challenging was camp director, primitive camping in the Uintas in Utah, icy cold, no bathroom facilities (you get the picture). My most rewarding, working with the YW as an advisor for all ages and as President. I, also, have always loved Relief Society and have held every calling except Secretary (this is definitely not a hint).

I am your Visiting Teacher Coordinator and enjoy my contact with all of you. Your dedication to Visiting Teaching is an inspiration to me. I’m, also, a temple worker and love being in the temple and feeling the spirit of the wonderful workers and patrons there.

I would like to be remembered as a kind non-judgmental person, who did her best at what ever she was asked to do.

I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, the restored Gospel, a living prophet, my husband and family and all of you wonderful Sisters.

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Getting To Know Me

My name is Karen Gillett.  We’ve been in this ward for 12 years and absolutely love it.  I stay at home with my 5 kids.  They are Kayli (15), Jason (13), Beth (10), Audrey (3) and Chase (1).   I was born and raised in Fontana, CA.  I was the 7^th of 8 kids.  My dad was an elementary school principal.  Because of that, he had the summers off so we would spend them camping and traveling the country.  I was very disappointed to find out that most jobs only start with 2 weeks of vacation a year.   I still love to travel as much as I get a chance and love to visit historical sites.  My favorite vacations have been to Nauvoo, NYC, Spain/London.  I hope to one day make it to Italy and Australia. 
Growing up my grandparents lived in the house directly behind ours and we had a gate connecting our back yards.  I loved it and always wanted that for my kids.  Unfortunately that just didn’t work out but  to compensate I try to spend a few weeks in Utah each year staying with my parents.  (They don’t seem to mind too much  ) 
I went to BYU-HI my freshman year so I would be there for my brother’s senior year. I transferred to BYU-Provo the next year.   Good thing I did since I met Shane that year.  I had a friend who was dating Shane’s friend.  She was telling me all about what a great guy Shane was and that I should go out with him—and just as she’s telling me this she sees him in line to get his ID in the Wilkinson center.  She immediately took me over to meet him, we had lunch together at the Cougareat, a date set for the next Friday and we were married that summer.  It was meant to be  I graduated with a BS in Human Development (if anyone knows something that can be done with this degree please let me know) Shane graduated with his degree in Chemical Engineering the next year and then we moved to Houston and have been here ever since. 
In 2006 I ran my first half marathon.  After I had Audrey I thought I could attempt a full and ran the full marathon with Julie Caron in 2008.  I have loved running ever since and have run several half marathons and have a goal to run another full marathon soon.  I also love to read (My one and only trophy was achieved by reading the most books in our elementary school’s book club in 4^th grade).  I don’t find the time to read like I’d like to anymore though, I always feel like there is something else I should be doing.  Some of my favorite things are: chocolate anything, but especially chocolate cake.  Ghirardelli 60% chocolate chips are the best, sweet cream and raspberry ice cream in a chocolate dipped waffle cone, movies/lunch dates with friends, blueberry picking in June up at Moorehead blueberry farm,  going to Galveston to go crabbing, running the Bluebell fun run in April, blogging—it’s a fun way to do my family history/journaling and a way to keep in touch with my family-- when my babies get a little older I have lots of digital scrapbooks I plan to put together.  My most favorite thing is being a wife to Shane and mom to my 5 amazing kids.  I’m trying to soak up and enjoy every minute as they pass all too quickly.