Callings. We went a few months in our new ward without them. But no more.
Let's start with me. I think I mentioned that I was in charge of putting together the music for the Christmas program. This wasn't a calling, just an assignment. I led the choir and played the piano part of a duet. I also played the piano at the ward Christmas dinner. This ward is really lacking in the musical instrument abilities department, and it was made clear that I knew music. Now, since moving to Sahuarita eight years ago, I have never NOT had a music calling. I've had a few others scattered in with the music ones, but it has been predominantly music. Honestly, I really, really, wanted a change. Yes, music is important. But I wanted something different. When they called me in about 7 weeks ago to give me a calling, the member of the bishopric said they had kind of "gotten wind that I had had a lot of music callings" so they were going to give me something else for a change. (Maybe I was a bit too vocal about being destined to do nothing but music in a musically challenged ward, and that I was already burned out.) Anyway, they asked me to be the Ward Young Women's Camp Director. I don't know if I've ever seen this happen, but on the Sunday they sustained me, after they called my name and I stood up, and then they said I was being called as the camp director, there was an audible gasp from several people (including the lady sitting right behind me) in the congregation. It was kind of embarrassing. I think people were truly shocked that I wasn't being put in a music calling.
But I am pretty excited about planning girls camp. It is a bit overwhelming, but I think it will be fun. Normally, they always do stake camp, but this year, each ward is being left to do its own thing. So I am in charge of every single aspect of camp. I will obviously be assigning things out and working with the YW Presidency, but I am the one who is putting it all together. The more I plan stuff out and think about it, the more I realize that there is so much to do and keep track of.
Okay, on to Nate. About the same time as I got my calling, the Elder's Quorum presidency came over to our house and called Nate to be a teacher in the Elder's Quorum. He was really excited about this calling because he doesn't mind teaching. And, he is busy, and this wouldn't require a lot of time. He only had to teach one Sunday a month.
So, callings... check. Breathe a sigh of relief, because you really never know what you are going to get, right? ;) That sounds terrible, but I know you feel the same way... don't make me start naming callings. We all have our own personal list of things that make us cringe. Not that we wouldn't do them, but... you get my point.
But then...
One week later, we get an email on Sunday morning (addressed to Nate) asking if both of us can come in and meet with President Johnson, the 1st counselor in the Stake Presidency, after church.
???
No, no. We just got callings. We are good. Thanks.
Just kidding. We of course said yes. Then we spent the rest of the day speculating on what was going on. I think we came up with just about everything. Except for the right answer. Nate even determined at one point that the calling was actually going to be for me even though the request was specifically addressed to him. That was about as close as his suggestion that maybe the stake presidency was just calling people in to visit with them to get to know them better, and since our last name starts with W, it had just taken them a while to get to us.
President Johnson didn't get right to the point. I think they actually enjoy watching us squirm a bit, not knowing what is going on. He talked to us for a bit about worthiness, and if there were any reason why Nate couldn't accept a calling, etc... It was interesting answering these questions before knowing what the calling was. It was like being backed into a corner with no escape. :) And it made me even more confused because I kept wondering, what on earth are they calling him to? When he told us they were reorganizing the bishopric, I still didn't put it together and was surprised when he extended the call for Nate to be the 1st counselor in the bishopric. Our bishop is staying the same, but they are replacing both counselors. I guess they do that in our stake; they leave the bishops in for a long time, but replace the counselors about every two years.
There was a miscommunication, a couple of times, about when this would take place. Originally, President Johnson thought it was happening the next Sunday. A few days later we found out it would be done at ward conference. Ward conference then got moved. From the time Nate was called until he was sustained, it was 5 weeks. It was way too long.
Nate was sustained on Sunday (two days ago). All of our parents came to be with us and so the dads could ordain him a high priest.
So, big changes in our house. I know really busy people get called to time consuming callings all the time, so we will make it work. We didn't tell the kids until Saturday what was going on. I don't think the boys really understood, but Natalie did. She was mad, which then morphed into sad and pouty. She knew he wouldn't be able to sit with us at church. She exclaimed, "I'll never get to see you again!" The boys understood a bit more once Sunday came. I lost track of how many times I heard them ask, "where is dad?" both before and after church. (He was asked to attend the early morning meetings.) Of all the days of the week, Sunday is the one and only day that the kids can count on seeing their dad. They will have to adjust to that a bit.
We've been told by numerous people that our family will be blessed by this. So, I've been making a wish list. Okay, not really, but maybe a little bit. :) I am excited for this opportunity Nate will have to grow and help others, and the growing experience it will be for our family as well.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
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3 comments:
Wow, that's funny how that came about...with getting other callings first. :)
I had the same response as you...sitting with the stake president as he asked questions...it never dawned on me until he said the actual words. And it still took a few seconds to register. I guess you can't be prepared for a husband to get a serious time consuming calling like that. :) Sundays should be the longest days of time you're without him. :) And the years of service will go by fast. (for the wives). It's already been a year since Jared was called as Bishop. (seems longer to Jared, but seems fast to me). A couple people gave me some advice with our kids that has helped, and may work for your family too...
Several people told me, "It's important for the children to know that their dad can still be their dad at church. Especially when the children are young. Let them occasionally go sit on dad's lap - even though he's up on the stand." I feel it might not be okay to do it every single week though. But maybe once or twice a month, I'll tell one of my kids to go sit on dad's lap for 10 minutes. It so far has not been a distraction because I monitor the frequency of it. I also learned to sit on the first or second row. At first I was nervous about this, because I thought...not "if" but "when" the kids get wild, it will be more of a scene to haul them all the way out, by myself. But being in the very front of the chapel, they don't act up as much. I think it's easier for them to pay occasional attention - and they can easily see their dad right there (who possibly may be keeping an eye on them).
And it also makes me feel not so alone.
I also learned to buddy up to an older couple in my ward (they always sit on the front row too). I always sit right next to them, or right behind them. I occasionally tell one (or both) of my kids to sit with them.
I'm happy for your family. It does make Sunday's a little harder for you (and Nate) but you're right, the learning experiences will definitely out-weigh the sacrifices.
And I'm happy you got a non-musical calling! That's cool. After all the work you'll put into camp, it will be a great time I'm sure!
You'll be great as camp director! Guess that makes 3 of us going to camp this year. Young Women's was one of the callings on my "cringe list", but even though it's only been a few months, I can already see reasons why I needed this calling and how it has helped me to grow. Glad that Nate's calling is finally official--5 weeks is a really long time! And yes, your family will be blessed, but it will still be an adjustment, especially on Sundays. Our Ward Conference season starts in March, so I can sympathize with you--we won't see Chad much on Sundays from now through October. Good luck with everything!
I sure hope they at least released Nate from his first calling after giving him that one! You'll be great as camp director; you are organized and fun!
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