the wrong sentiment

I’ve been having this thought for awhile, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to blog about it. At this point in time, this whole scenario has nothing to do with me, so if I say something that “offends,” at least no one can take it personally that he/she was the reason for my ramblings. I am also genuinely curious of other people’s thoughts on the matter.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is completely self governed, and for that matter, organized by inspiration. The Bishop, the “leader” of the ward (or congregation), knows what positions in the ward need to he filled. He prays for inspiration to know who the Lord would have in that position. When he feels confident that he knows who is the best person for the job, the Bishop issues a “calling” to the ward member. Some things that need to be done, for example, including preparing the Sunday bulletin, managing the ward Web site, teaching the primary children, planning ward activities, scheduling building maintenance, and on and on. The possibilities are endless.

Everything needs to get done (and it's done by the members), and we each have different talents. Callings change. I guess it comes to a point where you’ve learned all you can learn in a calling and done your best, so the Lord (through the Bishop) “releases” you. Someone else starts to do your job, and inevitably, you are called to do something different. The Bishop presents your name before the ward during Sunday meetings, and everyone in the ward is given the opportunity to "sustain" you to that calling by, in essence, raising their hand in agreement. They also have the opportunity to oppose you, but I've never seen that happen.

So, that’s that in a nutshell.

Yesterday at Church there was a huge upheaval in organizations. The Primary presidency was reorganized, and I’m pretty invested in who is in charge of the primary children since my little Wesley will be in the primary organization (the nursery) in just four months. I definitely want competent people in there! Of course, I’m thrilled the new president is a good friend of mine, and Whimsy, who I gush about often, is the new secretary. A couple other high-profile callings were changed yesterday, and I know more are coming.

So, here’s my beef. All the releasings, callings, and sustainings occur in our first Sunday meeting. Afterwards, it’s not uncommon to hear (and it has happened to me) words of “congratulations” in the foyer... "Congratulations on your new calling."

THIS MAKES ME CRAZY.

It is 100% uncalled for and frankly it upsets me. I’ll just use me for example: When I received my latest calling, to work with the young women, I was 100% terrified. I didn’t want to do it. I thought I was completely the wrong person for the job. I heard rumors and discussions about how some of the women who were being released were so upset about being released, and all I could do was fight back tears as I thought to myself, “they should still be here. I’m not right. I don’t want this.” And I didn’t. It was awful. I accepted the calling merely because I trust our Bishop and his counselors and know they receive revelation from the Lord and know what is best for our ward.

So imagine how I felt being “congratulated” in the hall. Friends, I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t apply for his. I’m not somehow more fabulous than you are or anyone else is so the Lord thought me perfect for this calling. It’s not like that! It’s not a job I WON over other contenders!

I sincerely feel that words of congratulations at people who have new callings are just inappropriate. My personal preferred acknowledgment of the change is, “are you excited for your new calling?” or “how do you feel about your new calling?”

I heard someone congratulate a young man yesterday who got a new calling, and his response was spot on, “Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far. ‘Good luck’ would be more like it.” Good for him! He feels the same way I do.

I don’t know if it’s a cultural thing within the Church, if we’re meant to think the “high-profile” callings are desirable and therefore people who get them are “righteous” and need to be congratulated for their awesomeness. I just don’t get it. Everyone I know who has been called to be a president of something didn’t want it. They were totally freaked out, but they knew they’d just do their best because the Lord had asked them to.

And maybe one of you can chime in if some General Authority of the Church came out at some point and said “oh congratulating people on callings is just a wonderful thing,” then fine, and I guess I’m wrong. But I really feel like I’m not wrong and you won’t hear me congratulating anyone on a new calling.

I’m happy to say that I am confident and happy in my calling now. I’ve had the chance to get used to things, and I’ve even received some insight into why it is I’m doing what I’ve been asked to do. But it took awhile to get there. It wasn’t an easy road for me.

Whew, so there it is, out there for your debating words and thought processes. If I get a new calling sometime soon, don’t congratulate me. I don’t want to hear it. Consider me a Scrooge if you want. Ask me if I’m freaking out instead, since the answer is probably yes.

where box fans come to die

Since everyone else is blogging about the heat, I figured I should as well. It's dreadful. It's awful. It's unbearable. I am dying.

Some Facebook friends have declared a heat war, exclaiming, "wimp! it's 114 in Phoenix!," to which I reply, "BUT YOU HAVE AIR CONDITIONING!"

No one in Seattle has air conditioning, since we only need it about once a year. That time is now. Oh my. And it's not letting up. Today it was in the mid-90s, tomorrow it's supposed to get to (gulp) 100, the rest of the week should be the 90s, 80s for the weekend, then we do it all again next week. I listen to the weather report and seriously cry. Tears of fear.

Which brings me to my heat-related story for your reading enjoyment:

When Shaner and I got married and lived in Provo, UT, we had a box fan. It went with us to Simi Valley, CA. It came with us to Seattle, WA. Our one, fabulous, reliable box fan. Twinings -- what I was before I was a Gottula -- we love box fans. Just ask Kurt. His favorite summer activity is what he'd call "a box fan night." Sleeping in his bunk bed, right next to an open window, with the box fan blasting. Ahhh summer. Pleasant memories.

While in Seattle, the Shaner and I let a neighbor borrow our box fan, and the neighbor killed it. I actually didn't even hear this story until later. Our fan didn't come with us to our current home in Lynnwood. Our current home which can also be literally described as a box fan black hole.

We replaced our murdered box fan several years ago, buying a new fan when it was on sale ($9.99, whoo hoo) and when it wasn't hot, so we were prepared. Fast forward to the hottest day of that summer, when it was doing a great job running on high and cooling our living room, and it suddenly toppled over. A blade shattered. Ouch. Of course it was the hottest day of the year so getting a replacement fan was a joke.

That was several box fans ago. And our current two fans have both in the last several weeks fallen out of a window. The first broke a blade, but luckily still runs; the second knocked a "bearing" out of whack (according to Shane), and it makes this awful creaking screeching noise every time it runs.

We're cursed! I've never killed a box fan before in my life, but now they just don't stand a chance. I don't know what it is. In this condo, box fans just want to topple over. I don't know if any amount of kindness or prudence or prayer or window fortification would change that.

So here we are again, on the hottest day of the year, with Shane begging for a new fan that will withstand our abuse. Heaven help us. We're roasting.

my new fad diet

I'm on a new diet. Basically, I eat whatever I want, whenever I want. Really! I haven't given up carbs, sweets, or anything, and I feel pretty good most of the time. And I've lost weight.

Here's the catch: I've tricked myself. I forget to eat. I don't want to eat! I'm too busy. I'm occupied.

I'm reading the Twilight books. I'm on the Twilight diet.

Seriously, it's a great diet. I've already lost 4+ pounds. Insane, and unexpected. But the thing is, I simply cannot tear myself away from these books!

The young women at Church (and half my female friends on Facebook) have been gushing about Twilight forever. They saw the movie at midnight. They got the last book of the series (#4) at midnight. One of my young women stood in line for 5 hours to BUY the movie when it came out. Yeah, they're that crazy.

The other week I was feeling a bit down about my life. I'm at a point in my life where I feel like I'm either missing something, something big, or I'm not appreciating what it is that I have. I need a good attitude adjustment. I thought, what can I do?

I decided to unplug for a bit. I love reading, but I don't think I've read a single book since Wesley was born. I really need a breather, a distraction.

I put a post up on Facebook... who has the Twilight books and would let me borrow them? I instantly got a hit, from one of the young women in fact. I went over on Thursday and borrowed the first two. She wanted to give me all four and I said, "no no, how about I read these two then trade them for the final two?" I didn't realize that I should have taken all four.

I started Twilight on Thursday afternoon during Wesley's nap. I read at night. I read the next day to and from work on the bus. I read all Friday night (getting to bed after midnight). I slept until 6 am then woke up in a jolt and kept reading. I was done all 498 pages by 8:30 am Saturday. WOW.

I started New Moon (#2) Saturday afternoon. I read Saturday night and Sunday. I knew I was in trouble. I went back to my friend's house on Monday to get book 3 and 4 and the movie. I watched the movie Monday afternoon (likes and dislikes abound). I read Monday night. I read Tuesday. I finished all 563 pages last night by 10:00 pm.


Whoo baby! I'm two books heavier in my mind and four pounds lighter in my body!

In fact (and Julie if you're reading this I apologize!), when I got the movie Monday morning I knew I had to watch it ASAP. I usually work from home Monday afternoon and I begged my boss to switch my schedule to Tuesday. Angela, you're insane! It's all over the top! You're calling out sick from work!

What I really should do is give myself a breather from my breather. Take some time before starting #3. But I don't think that'll happen. I think I'll start #3, um, right now.


I feel strangely odd about the whole thing. Some friends have said they couldn't get through it, they didn't like it, it's not written well. I'll admit it is a bit passive at times, and sometimes slow. And yes, for the better part of many of the books you want to slap the main character and yell at her to just to say what she's thinking already and stop being to cryptic. But maybe that's what I like. I like that it's confusing and roundabout, since so is my life. Boy, I wish things were simple. They're not.

I love the story, I love the characters. I almost wish they were real. That we were all friends. I'm glad there's not just one book! I'm also glad I'm kind of late to the table since I don't have to wait like everyone else did. I don't think I could handle it. Waiting for the movies will be tough enough. I told my friend from Church that I'll be right beside her at midnight to see the next one in November! INSANITY!


So for anyone sitting on the fence, dangit go read them. I will warn you thought that it is more teenage love as opposed to vampire love, although vampire love is part of it. But the story has just put something in the pit of my stomach that is exciting. I feel, corny as it sounds, like I've fallen in love! I forget to eat! I'm deliriously happy! I feel like there was this big secret everyone else was in on that now I'm finally in on. It's hilarious.

(Sidenote: Seriously, if you feel differently about the series, feel free to comment in the notes on why. We're an equal opportunity forum here. You don't HAVE to agree with me.)

And, I don't want it to wear off since I'm exercising pretty hardcore as well and getting a double-punch at this lingering baby weight. I've felt as of late that I needed a jump-start to some serious and focused weight loss, and I think this is it. I was considering South Beach, but this is working just as well! Is it healthy? Well maybe my mom would be worried... but I am eating fruits and vegetables. And a lot of yogurt. Really all I'm in the mood for is yogurt! Is that weird or what?

In any case, I'm feeling good. I think in our lives, sometimes we need great distractions like this. I'm not sure what I'll do when life gets back to normal. Maybe I just need to read more often.

I recommend the Twilight diet!

christmas in july

We got an exciting package in the mail yesterday! I love my parents, bless their hearts, and sometimes they like to take their time with things, and our surprise yesterday was the result of one of those instances.


We got a Christmas package! There were presents for me, Shane, and Wesley! It was wonderful! We opened all our gifts in excited anticipation! Wesley got books and toys, Shane got movies (the original and new Casino Royale flicks) and treats, and I got Pampered Chef tools and a cookbook of Christmas treats. And more.



My favorite parts were the two Baby's First Christmas ornaments that I was so excited to see. I wanted to buy the perfect one for Wesley, but Hallmark was out of the one I wanted. And my mother then informed me she had already bought it. How lucky I was!



It was a delightful day. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Twining! Also thanks to Uncle Brad and Aunt Leslie, who had some presents in there, too. We love you guys!

little known fact

When I was a freshman at BYU, two of the girls in my dorm were players on the BYU women's basketball team. To be freshmen and players -- who got time on the court! -- was a pretty big deal. They were super nice people (and very tall!), and several of us went to support them for their games.

A few of us supported them a lot. For the next several years actually, I went to almost every single home BYU women's basketball game, and some of the away games, with the same group of friends from freshman year. Add to the equation that one of my best friends from back home loved loved loved basketball (and even herself tried out for the BYU team), so basically a women's basketball game was 100% her idea of a good time and I was at women's basketball games a lot!

It was a ball (haha). We always sat in the same exact seats in BYU's Marriott Center, right underneath one of the hoops. We cheered super loud. We wore matching t-shirts. We learned about all the players. I -- who never played basketball on account of my being 5-foot-2-inches -- learned all the referee signs and signals and rules. It was a good time. I have some great memories of that group of friends. My best friend from back home even got me a t-shirt signed by four of my favorite players for my birthday one year.

Anyway, it's been seven (gah!) years now since I've graduated, and I got to relive some of those BYU basketball memories last night. See, one of the star players on the BYU basketball team was drafted into the WNBA when she graduated in 2003, and she's still playing today and is, in fact, the only BYU alumnae playing in the WNBA. Her team, the Chicago Sky, is playing the Seattle Storm this weekend so the Seattle Chapter of the BYU Alumni Association asked her to do a fireside (complete with free ice cream afterwards) on being a professional Mormon athlete, missionary experiences she has had, how she got to where she is, favorite scriptures, etc.

Her name is Erin Thorn. She was a point guard, #10, and I'll never forget how talented she was! All the memories came back last night. It was awesome to hear her talk about her experiences. After BYU she played internationally for awhile, and now she is living her dream playing for the WNBA. I remember reading a couple years ago that she was drafted and thought that was so cool. She played for the New York Liberty at the time. I feel privileged to have been able to hear from her and visit with her for a little bit yesterday.

(She said she's only 5-foot-10-inches tall! So I don't look that shrimpy.)

She talked about how she got to meet Dean Cain (Superman! I had a poster of him in my room when I was 14!!) in an airport in Spain. She got to share a Book of Mormon with some of her teammates in Greece. She talked religion with an equipment manager in New York. She has always thought of the admonition to "let your light so shine," and has recognized that basketball was a talent of hers that has afforded her the opportunity to serve an unconventional "mission," and teach people about the Church in an different way.

The best part was that afterwards, when she was mingling with everyone who came, she said there were two people in the audience she recognized -- another gal and me! She knew she knew us from somewhere! When I told her that I was friends with those girls from the dorms and that I saw a lot of her games, she said, "ahh! that's it!" (The other gal was a friend of a friend from high school.)

She remembered! How cool is that! I feel like I've brushed shoulders once more with someone famous -- who recognized me!

So there you have it, a funny little known fact about me. I can't play basketball worth a can of beans, but I loved watching those girls play up and down the court for all those years I was at BYU. Good times.

happy 4th

A patriotic film for your review, from our friends at JibJab! I tried to embed it like 100 times and finally just gave up and linked it.

Wesley's in his "Born in the USA" onesie... thanks Aunt Nicole!

Happy Independence Day, everyone!

the plant gods are smiling

I want everyone to know that my plants always die, and yet I keep trying. Something in me is desperate to succeed. I really do want a garden some day... homegrown tomatoes, basil, zucchini, oh wow my mouth is watering! (I'm super jealous of my friend Ann, even without strawberries to show for her efforts...)

In any case, this little bugger was my Mother's Day gift from the young men at Church -- thanks guys! When we went to the TriCities at the end of May it didn't get watered for a week. It was 100% withered and dead. Yet by powers unbeknowst to me, it has come back to life. I did start watering it, yes, and it has been unusually sunny and nice this summer so far, so maybe the conditions were too perfect for me to go wrong. Lucky me.


Look, four petals! WOW!

Here's wishing you a happy summer, full of color.