Meet the Waymans

Some people just don’t know how much good they do because they are too busy serving others to notice themselves.

Meet the Waymans.  

The Waymans are a senior couple in the California Oakland San Francisco Mission. Before coming on a mission, Sister Wayman was an elementary school librarian who regularly brought whimsy and delight to countless young children. She became the characters in the books she read aloud and dressed up in a different costume for every holiday of the year.  As an educator, Elder Wayman saw the potential of each student he worked with and inspired them to see their worth and aim for the stars. Hundreds of young people have had their lives profoundly changed by the care and attention this couple has given them.

Their greatest career, they will tell you, is being the mom and dad of eight beautiful and remarkable children and now many grandchildren. The Wayman’s home was filled with love and fun.

When asked how she finds the energy to serve so many people, Sister Wayman simply answers, “I received so much anonymous service in my life as my husband faced major health challenges, I just want to pay it forward.”

Elder Wayman is on his third kidney transplant and has to take a handful of pills every day. They have faced the possibility of death together numerous times. Perhaps that is why they are often seen holding hands.

“We have had so many miracles in our lives,” Sister Wayman says. “Finding three people willing and able to donate a kidney to save my husband’s life is perhaps the biggest.”

One of those donors was the Wayman’s daughter demonstrating the deep love in their family. Recently all their children pooled their money and surprised Elder and Sister Wayman with a beautiful home remodel while they were away serving in California.

The Waymans are called as a Pathway coordinator. Pathway is an educational program with certificates and degrees for those who have not had an opportunity to continue their learning for a variety of reasons, including the inability to pay for higher education. This program, offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is remarkably inexpensive and mostly on-line except for a weekly in-person class with all the students in their group.

If there is a need in the mission, the Waymans always step in to help. They recently filled-in at the mission office when they were short staffed and now they are filling in the visitor’s center as well.

Perhaps one of the most endearing qualities of this couple is the way they love to feed people . . . both their bodies and their souls.

Sister Wayman is a ball of sunshine holding a cookie sheet with her latest culinary delight. Her husband is always helping out in the background to support a wife with boundless energy and the desire to feed and nurture everyone around her. In the wee hours of the night when others are sleeping, Sister Wayman is dreaming up ways to celebrate others by creating delicious meals and scrumptious treats. She invites neighbors and friends over for dinner and creates magical birthday celebrations so everyone feels noticed and appreciated.

Sister Wayman creates celebrations. She takes the time to know when those around her have a birthday or anniversary and then she come up with a surprise party complete with balloons, streamers and the most delicious treats. 

Elder Wayman is right there at her side helping to cook, carry, set up and take down the magic they create together. Having faced the possibility of death many times together, they don’t take each other for granted.

Elder Wayman was diagnosed with kidney failure at a young age and they both know life is unpredictable and presents challenges. But they both choose to see the miracles instead of the tragedy.

The Waymans always seem to notice when someone needs a ride to church, a warm hug or a little cheering up. Their love creates the sparkle in other’s lives.

 “When nothing is expected and everything is appreciated, life is magical.” Sabin Conference Talk Oct 2023

The Waymans expect nothing from life or those around them. They appreciate everything. Because of the lens they choose to look through, their life is truly magical. Those around them find that the Wayman’s sparkle has rubbed off on them, making their life magical as well.