sustaining the Bishop

Aaron was called to serve as a counselor in the bishopric when Simon was a few months old. It's been a rough 2+ years for me. Our day of "rest" was by far the most exhausting day of the week. As much as I prepared, I was usually crying by Sunday evening. Church is at noon which is nap time and my two babies have been such a handful. I often wonder why I go to Church at all. I have really tried to have a good attitude about it, but it's been a huge challenge in my life.

Our loving, kind Bishop has been serving for 4+ years and he is moving out of the ward. Part of me worried about Aaron filling the vacant position (because he is so humble and is so willing to serve) but God knew I would go crazy or inactive if this happened. Aaron was released on Saturday night and we sustained a new Bishop and his counselors this morning. It was a beautiful Sunday service. I cannot even express to you how amazing our ward is.

This gorgeous young couple is our new Bishop and his wife. They are parents of five children younger than mine. They are some of the most amazing people I know. Leigh Ann is my sweet, dear friend. She homeschools her children and is such a kind, soft-spoken mother. She is a healer, trained as a foot-zoner and has worked on Simon and Roma and myself. I love being in her home. A couple of years ago, Leigh Ann lost her mother to suicide, just weeks before Christmas. She is open and honest about this trial in her life and I admire this SO MUCH. Sometimes, when things are hard for us, we tend to shy away from sharing our lessons with others, but Leigh Ann is not this way. As we open up, we allow others to do the same and we connect on a very intimate level. Six months after her mother's death, their oldest child was diagnosed with cancer. Their young family had to spend months in the hospital during his chemotherapy. They fought (and won!) this battle. Our neighborhood grew as we watched in admiration and tried to help where we could. It was an inspiring experience to be a part of.

While out to dinner with friends several months ago, we were discussing who the next Bishop will be in our ward (just fun speculation). Someone said, "Find the most spiritual and Christ-like woman... and her husband will be called." Leigh Ann's name was the first mentioned and we all agreed. If you knew her, you would understand why. I feel extremely lucky to associate with such high caliber people. Sometimes I wonder why good people have to go through such hard things, but I know that God is aware of each of us and knows what we need. I whole-heartedly sustain this family in their new calling and will do whatever I can do make their burdens lighter. I admire them so much and was touched by their testimonies in church today. Our ward is so lucky.....