Tuesday September 9, 1997
"Sister
Schill paid me such a huge compliment the other night when we were at their
house for dinner. We had waffles. It was so fun! I love their girls (Annilyn, Erin, and
Emily). I read them Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
one night when we stopped by. Sister
Schill said that Brother Schill had been saying that he looks at me and sees
his own girls on missions. Could they
pay me a higher compliment?"
"We visited Sister Schill and I don’t remember how we led into this, but she said that Brother Schill had said a couple days ago that Hna Childs and I are two of the best sisters he’s ever worked with, almost up there with sister so-and-so who apparently is the epitome of missionary work. That made my day! That’s an excellent compliment in and of itself, but coming from the Schills it means even that much more."
"I got to read yet another bedtime story to the Schill girls tonight. They are so cool. We caught up with them as they were on an “adventure hike” in search of the Liahona (ie the pictures of the apostles in the high council room). Emily was clumping along on plastic high heels. She cracks me up."
"It has been fun to surprise everyone. The first people we visited were the Schills. Brother Schill is off interviewing and having a hectic life, while Sister Schill is home with the girls, having a hectic life. It was nice to be back there, talking to her. She said I remind her of a companion of hers who was always sent to the armpits of the mission but was the best sister in the mission. The Schills have a way of catching me off guard with the most sincere compliments."
Sunday February 22, 1998
"The highlight of the fireside occurred after it was over, while standing and talking with the Schills and the Bakers. All of a sudden we looked down to see Emily with her diaper down around one knee. Sister Schill looked down and instead of being embarrassed, exclaimed, “Well, MIKE, this must be YOUR child taking off her diaper!” I was laughing so hard. Brother Schill removed the offending diaper and discreetly hid it in his coat, then picked Emily up and tried to keep her bum covered."
The Schills were my family while I was on my mission. They took care of me, fed me, made me the most fabulous Washington birthday cake (see above), taught me how to play The Great Dalmuti, lifted me up when I was down, let me be a part of their family, and loved me. After my mission, they introduced me to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, danced at my wedding, let me come visit multiple times, and even drove across the country to see me. I am having a hard time writing this without crying, I love them so much. Since I met them, I have aspired to be them when I grow up. I have always wanted my family to be just like theirs, and have adopted (okay, blatantly stolen) many of their family traditions. Now their oldest daughter, Anniliyn, has returned from her mission in Russia and their second daughter, Erin, is just starting her mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It blows me away that they are now where I once was, and my fondest wish is that my own girls will someday be where the Schill girls are now. I love you, Schills!
2 comments:
LOVE the mission photos!
This was the coolest thing for me to just happen upon. I hope you know that you are loved terribly by our family. So fun to see those old pictures and read from your journal of back in the day! We certainly have many happy Sister Oleson/Katie Wilden memories from over the years. Thanks so much!
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