Change is Inevitable...Dang It!

Although change is inevitable, that doesn't mean it is something I like. My husband Dave has served as the 1st counselor in our Bishopric for six and a half years. That means McKay had just barely turned six when he was called. My little family of five boys was very young at the time. However, I more than supported and sustained him in this calling and I was very happy to do so.

In August this year, he was released as the 1st counselor and called to be Bishop. You heard correctly...Bishop! When the Stake President interviewed us (yes, US) he asked me if I could support and sustain him in this new overwhelming calling. He didn't use the word overwhelming, just me. In total and complete shock, I answered in the affirmative. That was until he mentioned that I would have to be released from my calling as the Young Women President.

WHAT? Excuse me... RELEASED? From YOUNG WOMEN? MY GIRLS! MY LIFE SUPPORT?

After that shock hit and a very forlorn look appeared on my face, I had the overpowering urge to withdraw my previous answer. I knew the reason was because of the time commitment it would require of Dave and the Stake President thought it would be a hardship on the family with both of us serving in big callings. But, although it is definitely not the norm, I still thought to myself that it wouldn't be too hard or difficult for me to continue serving even with Dave as a Bishop. There had to be a way to continue as President, an exception to the rule somehow. I had been in the calling just long enough to have finally figured it all out and was now gung ho with lots and lots of awesome plans for the future. It was just now getting really fun. Even with all the meetings and the time commitment, it has been my favorite calling that I've have ever had.

I was determined to find a way to make it work. That was until I was shown the letter from the first Presidency that stated in no uncertain terms that if the new Bishop's wife is serving as an auxiliary president, she would have to be released. There is great wisdom for this because the calling of a Bishop requires enormous amounts of time away from home. And as I said above, serving as an auxiliary president also requires enormous amounts of time. But that didn't make me feel any better. I ♥love♥ my girls. I love how much they lift me and I love hanging out with them. But, I couldn't argue with the first Presidency.

I took a deep breath and submitted to the will of those who knew best. But, I immediately began to pray that if it was right that I might be able to remain in Young Women's serving in another capacity. I would even be willing to just come and be the hymn book passer outer. That isn't a calling, but hey, it could be!

I am happy to report that I was sustained last Sunday as a Mia Maid advisor and will be teaching the girls ages 14-15! Yea! Yippee! Hurray! I am feeling so blessed to be able to still be uplifted by these amazing girls. I know I am supposed to be the one teaching and helping them, but it has always been the other way around. I was put in Young Women's as a Mia Maid advisor three and a half years ago after my son Tyson passed away. I have to say that those girls were what got me through many of those very hard days. They had no idea, but their amazing spirits were very healing to me. Some weeks, those few hours I spent with them was the only time I even felt human. It was the most incredible thing for me to be around them and feel so uplifted.

Now I have the best of both worlds! I still get to be in Young Women's but I no longer have the huge weight of being the responsible one! I can pass all the stresses and worries of all the millions of little details that come with the calling of President along and I can be ME again and act like one of the girls! (or worse! haha) My body may not look like it, but inside I AM only 15! Gosh, some days only 12! Oh how I love being just "one of the girls"!