When you're a member of The Church, your ward is a great part of your life. Today, the three wards - Newbury Park 1, 2, and 3 - that attend the Stake Center a block from my house, were completely dissolved and everybody was released from all callings. There was a special Sacrament Meeting held for the 3 wards together, which was as big as a Stake Conference, where this was all presented. Talk about change! New boundaries have been drawn. This was long overdue since there was a huge discrepancy in the wards, where one ward was so anemic they were unable to fill callings, one person would hold multiple positions, and there was even only one counselor in the bishopric. Whereas another ward was bursting at the seams, the Primary was twice the size, many people had no callings, or 'made up' ones that people joke about like Hymn Book straightener. I'm making that part up. Maybe.
We are now in the newly formed Los Robles Ward and John is serving in the Bishopric, under Bishop Steve Lang. During his testimony, Bishop Lang said he was grateful to have John serve with him and that he "has known is wife since she was born." I thought that was pretty funny. I've seen Steve in the halls several times since he has moved to Newbury Park over the last year or so and it will be fun to be reacquainted with him and his wife Marci. They are fun people. And I do suppose he has known me since I was born as his family is from my home ward. Our wedding reception was held at his parents' home.
This will be A New Life for us. John was ordained a High Priest today. I teased him that he now has to fall asleep all the time and is too old to have any fun anymore.
We have to act like grown-ups, go to High Priest parties, and hang out with the old people.
No more sleeping in.
No more family time on Sundays. That will be the hardest since Sunday afternoon was the only time we had to hang out and relax as a family!
No more help getting the kids ready for church.
No more help with the kids during Sacrament meeting.
No more 'tag team' staying home with sick children.
Our new ward will meet at 9:00 a.m. from now on, not changing every year. He will have to be at church at 6:30 a.m. every week from now on. We are not morning people. Definitely a New Life. The fun part is they have to now fill an entire ward with callings. They have their work cut out for them!
I'm not sure how it will all work out, but I'm sure the Lord will provide a way.
His first meeting is supposed to be Tuesday night.
Oh sorry, he's in Texas.
Things are set up for November.
Oh sorry, he's in New York for those two weeks.
Visits the first Wednesday of each month.
Oh sorry, Track Club board meetings are then.
I thought he was busy before and didn't think it possible to squeeze another hour out of him. The Lord will definitely have to provide.
Now, how about providing a bathroom? Hmmm . . . . I'll need a miracle for that one. (My bathroom is still half-gutted).
On a serious note, I know these changes are inspired. There are a few things that have occurred of late that have confirmed to us that this is the way it's supposed to be. John will be excellent in his new calling and we will grow and be blessed exponentially as a family. It will be different. It will be challenging. It will be fun getting to know new ward members. It will be sad missing our good friends from our old ward. It will be worth it. It will be a new life.
7 comments:
Congratulations to John, and to you and the children--his support team! He will be a wonderful counselor and your family will receive so many blessings!
Our entire Stake had boundary changes two weeks ago...and all were released. I had a 3 day "vacation" and then was recalled to the same calling. We are starting from scratch with a new ward. Whew! Lots of work.
WOW! Congrats Uncle John!!
You thought of more changes than I had. We know that you all have a strong testimony of Heavenly Father's hand in your lives. We know that you will be great in your new calling. It is just one more stepping stone in your lives.
I totally know what you are going through...we had all our boundaries changed 10 months ago, but instead to 'even' things out more, they left our ward high and dry. It is sad. We now don't have enough people for callings...so I'm actually hoping that they change things up again very soon!
You will be a great supportive wife on this ride. :)
Those ARE big changes! John will be great in the bishopric...great calling for him. What a great example you & John are to your kids and those of us around you who see your dedication and willingness to serve, even with the sacrifices you've got to make. (6:30 am mtgs. would kill Wayne:):))
So what's he over? Primary? YW? When James was in our Bishopric,I
taught lil James to say "bye daddy,
have a nice meeting!" because at first he hung onto him and cried when daddy left. It was so precious
that he caught on the very first time with his cute 3 year old voice:) John is great -this was a given!! Are you still in your stake position?
WOW! Your life will never be the same! I remember after Jason was released from his first Bishopric calling - Chandler was 3 and totally disturbed that Jason was now sitting next to him and not on the stand.
I have seen great growth in these men that serve in this capacity - and, with Jason traveling back in the day as well - it was hard not to get grumpy about all his time away serving. Just remember that it is inspired and things will fall into place. They always do. Congrats!
...yeah, what about YOUR stake calling? Everyone was released?
Off to bed for my 7 am stake mtg in the morning! HA!
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