Just Another Sunday

Last weekend while I was at my parent's house helping them prepare for my Grandmother's funeral. I received a phone call from Aaron saying that we had been asked to meet with the Stake President. They still wanted to meet with Aaron even though I was out of town. As Aaron and I talked on the phone we discussed all the possible reasons for the interview, including trek assignments, various ward and stake callings, and everything in between. I told him I would sustain him whatever the call may be.

The next morning he called to tell me that the Stake President had called him to be Bishop in our ward. The boundaries were being realigned and that meant the current Bishop would become part of another ward.

One hour later, I received a call from our current Bishop asking me to speak the next week in church. There would be a youth speaker, me, another brother from the ward, and the concluding speaker would be Elder D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

He is a man who works closely with the Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints overseeing the church throughout the world. For a link to his latest talk in General Conference ( click here)

In my lifetime, I have never had an Apostle visit my home ward. I have only greeted and shook hands with an Apostle on one other occasion. Now I had the chance to fulfill a speaking assignment with an Apostle.  It made me very nervous.

After those two calls. I decided I wouldn't answer my phone for the remainder of the day.

The subject of my talk in church was on becoming more childlike. As I went to church with my parents, a four year old boy stood and sang I am a Child of God. I pulled out my pen and paper and started writing my talk. At that moment, I knew what I would base my talk on.

I bet you can't guess what the opening hymn was in Sacrament Meeting today. I am a Child of God. I talked about all the important principles that this beloved Primary song teaches. Such as the knowledge that we have that each of us are loved by Heavenly Father on a very personal and intimate level. We are all here for a reason. Family after family move to this area guided by the Spirit for various reasons. I talked about the importance of home no matter where you live and the importance of cherishing every day with your children because all to soon they will be leaving home.

I almost lost it as I spoke about the fact that in a few months I will take Esteban to the airport and send my heart away on an airplane for two years. I will do the same thing the following year when Ethan leaves on his mission.

I went on to talk about how the Savior knows our needs better than we know them and he waits patiently  for us to ask for help. I spoke about the importance of reading the scriptures everyday and heeding the words of our leaders so that we do not leave the strait and narrow path. I believe there is no conversion so complete or testimony so strong that we can sit back and relax. I pointed out the each of us know of a time that has grown too late and how to avoid that regret.

I quoted Wilford Woodruff who said, "If this people could comprehend their blessings, they need not have an unhappy moment." I talked about doing His will and the fact that sometimes the blessings that follow are immediate and other times it takes longer to recognize them because they are more subtle. I spoke about singing at Grandma's funeral with my cousins and knowing that Grandma  was with Grandpa and her parents and those she worked with on her missions, those she worked with in the temple, and those for whom she did family history work for. I had a glimpse of what that reunion may be like one day.

I took the opportunity to thank those who have helped lead and guide and walk beside my children such as primary teachers, Activity Day leaders, Young Men leaders, and scout leaders. I spoke of the impending ward boundary changes and how we will always be brothers and sisters. I mentioned all those that have helped me find my way. I shared my desire to live with my Savior once again.

I concluded with my testimony about the realness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Everything that I hold dear is a direct result from the Atonement. I am grateful the Lord gave me a second chance and I know that a second chance is always available if we are willing and able to accept it.

At the end of Sacrament Meeting, Elder Christofferson asked that all the primary children and youth in the ward to come forward so he could shake their hand. I'm not sure he was aware that meant 300+ people to greet. I was very impressed with the children and the reverent way they lined up. I smiled as some of the YW tried to figure out how to take a "selfie" with him. When Jace greeted Elder Christofferson, he asked him if he really knows President Monson. Elder Christofferson simply smiled and said, "Yes. I know President Monson."

When we returned home from church, we told the children about Aaron's new calling he would be receiving tonight. The girls were excited. The boys looked to me and said, "They don't remember, do they?" We know what we are getting into this time. We understand the level of commitment of time and energy that a calling of this magnitude requires. We also understand the blessings that come from serving the Lord in this capacity. We are willing to do whatever the Lord asks of us. That is a promise that Aaron and I made a long time ago. It still holds strong.

As we sat in the realignment meeting. My hands were shaking. They were shaking more than they did earlier in the day when I spoke in front of an Apostle. As I raised my hand to sustain my husband, I tried to hold my hand still. I could not. It's not that I am scared or nervous or sad. I am just simply resolved to do the will of the Lord. I am willing to share my husband with the members of this ward. I look forward to the opportunity to be apart of the growth that will take place. I know this work is real. I know that it is the truth and therefore, I will do my part.

I learned a lot this day. I spoke with an Apostle of the Lord. I stood with my friends and neighbors and fellow members of the ward and sustained my husband as the Bishop. It really was just another Sunday.