Miss SuEllen

It was a Sunday evening. Rather late in the evening, if I recall correctly. My hubby and I hear a knock at our tiny apartment door. We were both wondering who in the world would be coming to our house so late? We opened the door to a huge smiling face, with a hand extended that held a plate full of cookies! Who was it that was standing at our door? A woman, about our age. Hair in a pony tail. Wearing a t-shirt and sweats, maybe even a sweatshirt, but I am not quite sure. She introduced herself as SuEllen. She was in the same ward as us, and we were new so she was welcoming us to the ward!

What a treat. To be honest, that had never happened to us before-actually not sure it has happened since either! Lest I digress. She was loud, spunky, happy, and very welcoming. She talked fast and with great energy. It was a short little visit, all done while she stood on our doorstep and we stood at the door!

Not too much later, I learned that she was the TVCC Women's Basketball coach. She was single. She was older than me. I could hardly believe that this woman who had stood on my doors-step was single! What on earth was wrong with all the men in the world. She was beautiful, vibrant, athletic, and obviously a fun person to be around. I guess I should back up, she wasn't single totally. Rather, she was not married. She was currently in a relationship-one that ended not too much later!

Within a few weeks of the late night visit she was asked to talk in church. Once again, as I sat in a pew in the congregation, I was amazed at this woman. So confident. So beautiful. So tall, athletic, put together! So everything that I had always dreamed of being, yet was never able to achieve. To be honest, she made me nervous!

Well, I had to get over my nervousness because we were called to be visiting teaching companions. I was excited, scared, and worried, all wrapped into one. How was I going to be able to mesh my full-time wife, mom, and working schedule with a busy coaches schedule? How would we get along? Would we be able to relate with each other, with the sisters we were to visit?

Interesting how the adversary puts all kinds of doubts into your mind before you even give another person a fair shake. Good thing Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows who needs to come into our lives and when they need to make their appearance. I believe Heavenly Father knew that I needed SuEllen in my life and so he made it happen!

She was such a wonderful breath of fresh air whenever I was around her. Her dynamic personality was intriguing! She had such a powerful testimony of the gospel and of her Savior-she just radiated! She was an absolute joy to go visiting teaching with. She gave great insight into each lesson and always left our sisters with a smile on their face. She always had fun creative gifts for our sisters, myself, and my family! I don't know where she found the time to do all that she did, but she was amazing!

She was fun to be around. She made me want to be better. She made me want to be happier. To work harder to gain a stronger, deeper testimony. During the time that we were companions things were a little challenging in my life, but her positive attitude and outlook were up-lifting!

One of the most important lessons I learned from SuEllen is to tell those around you what is on your mind. By this I mean, if your friend looks nice, tell them. If you love someone's new hair cut, tell them. If you like a talk they give, tell them. She was constantly extending compliments to others. They weren't shallow compliments either-she meant them and you could feel the sincerity behind them!

SuEllen is a wonderful example of a Gospel Woman. She loves the Savior and therefore loves those around her. She is very talented and shares her talents to bless others. She knows what is important in this life. She is not perfect, but it is apparent that she daily is striving to be better than she was yesterday! I am forever grateful that she knocked on my apartment door so many years ago. Thanks SuEllen for just being you and sharing yourself with me!

 This is a little old, but here is my dear friend SuEllen in all her coaching glory! Oh, she was/is a great dresser with the best high heeled shoes around...on a funny note, I once asked my husband if I died and he had to pick a person from the ward we we currently in to marry-because he had to get re-married-who would it be? Yep, you guessed it, this lady! I already knew that is what he would say, so it was kind of a set-up! I couldn't think of another woman that I would rather raise my children than her. No worries though, she did get married and has a family of her own, so I don't think she will be raising my kiddos!