New Ward

Way back when we were still living in Florida, Mark admitted, "I think five years is the longest I like staying in a ward, after that much time, I like a fresh start."

Apparently the Universe agrees with him.

Shortly after we moved to Maple Valley the wards were reorganized and a new ward was created. In an unexpected twist, we ended up one of the few families from our previous ward to be put in the new ward. I wrote a blog post explaining my feelings about the changes. 

Almost five years later, our city has grown enough that it was time to create another new ward. Technically, we weren't put in the "new" ward, but we were moved from our old ward and meshed with congregants from two other wards, so it sure feels new.  

To much of the sentiments in my previous blog post, I can say "Amen," though there are a few differences. On the negative side, we're leaving people we've associated closely with for five years, not five months. We really loved the Elk Run Ward. It truly felt like family. It helped that our Bishop was absolutely fantastic. Case in point - he recently stopped by with a gift for Nellie; a stuffed horse based on the true story of a Wells Fargo pony named Nellie (he works for Wells Fargo and was given the horse as part of a work event).

Nellie insisted on sleeping with Nellie.

Of course, switching wards doesn't mean we can no longer associate with our friends, it just means our interactions won't be automatically scheduled into our lives.

On the positive side, we've been through this type of change before and came out the other end with such a wonderful experience that we can trust that chances are good we will have the same type of experience this time around. Additionally, we've been in the area long enough that we do have some friends already established within the new ward boundaries. Plus, a fairly decent chunk of our old ward came with us. Bryce and Thane's best church friends happen to live on our street, so that definitely helps!

Another super positive is that now we get to attend church at the Stake Center, which is just a mile from our house, instead of driving to another building 15 minutes away like we've been doing the last 5 years. 

For the remainder of 2017, our new ward is meeting at 1pm. We haven't had 1pm church for over six years. Couple the super late start time with the extra closeness of the building, and we don't quite know what to do with all the time on Sunday mornings!  I remembered that I used to do Aubree's hair fancy for church. I don't think I've done that for.... about six years, but she's had fancy hair the past 3 weeks we've been at 1pm.

Last Sunday the kids pulled out a puzzle and managed to finish it before it was time to leave. When they finished, they realized they were missing seven pieces. Then Bryce admitted he'd hidden two pieces so he could put them in last. Then they found two pieces on the floor. And then Aubree admitted she'd hidden three pieces for the same reasons as Bryce.

In the new ward, Mark was called to be first counselor in the Bishopric. Trying to get a ward up and running, basically from scratch, is a ton of work. Mark and the other members of the Bishopric have been working tirelessly. 

To announce the details of the ward changes, the Stake Presidency called a special Sunday evening meeting. We'd spent the day at Katie's attending her kids' Primary Program. We didn't get home till shortly before the 5pm meeting started, which meant Nellie missed her afternoon nap. Most families didn't bring their young children to this meeting and that was a wise decision. Mark had a lot of responsibilities as Stake Assistant Executive Secretary (his previous calling, one he absolutely loved), so it was just me with the kidlets. Usually that's not too bad, but we were all tapped out. Nellie and Graham seriously struggled.

When the meeting ended, we stayed after for the Bishoprics to be set apart. By the time it was our turn, Nellie was extra done. While Mark was being set apart, she was jumping up and down on her chair singing loudly, "Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM!" I could've stopped her, but it would've been ugly. I was just grateful she was singing a church song.

Last Sunday I got a couple callings in the new ward - Cubmaster and Relief Society teacher. If I'd had my choice of any two callings, those are the two I would've chosen, so I'm suuuuuper excited. I've always wanted to be a Relief Society teacher. Teaching is my favorite.