Sealing, School Starts, & New Bishop

It has been an extremely eventful couple of weeks. Dawn and Ray were sealed in the Manti Temple on August 15th. Amy went down the weekend before to spend some time with her parents. Thankfully, I kept myself busy all week long with Scouts, City Council Meeting, and yard work. On Thursday night I rode with the Bevans to Utah. Friday was extremely busy with luncheons, pictures, the ceremony, and travelling. Saturday included professional pictures, the reception, watching the Olympics at the reception center, and attempts to keep children entertained and clean. It really was fun to see so many people from Tooele, as well as lots of relatives. When I think back about all the families that were a part of my life as I was growing up, I can’t help but recognize how stable things were for me. Although life wasn’t perfect and I struggled at times to feel accepted, the Lord blessed me with good friends, great adult role models, and an exceptional family. Now my challenge is to just live my life in a way that shows I am grateful for those blessings.

It was a wonderful experience for us to be at the temple for Dawn’s sealing. For the first time ever, all of my siblings were there with all of their spouses. What a great feeling it was to know that we were all worthy to be there. I pray that my own children will some day have a similar experience. Nothing is as important to me on this earth as the desire to have all my family enjoy the blessings of all the temple ordinances and covenants. Amy recently heard that a married couple, a neighbor of ours, is experimenting with immoral, titillating behavior. I wish they understood the great blessings of temple covenants and fidelity. I can’t imagine trading my life and the relationship I have with Amy for any fleeting moment of pleasure the world has to offer. Experiencing Dawn’s sealing and learning of this couple’s immorality has been a powerful contrast.

After returning from Utah, life has somewhat gotten back to normal. Baily started the first grade and is in Ms. Noble’s class. Of course she loves it, and even though it was an emotional event for Amy to send her daughter away to all-day-school, it has been really good for us. Baily is one who has to be actively doing something all of the time. Unlike her sisters who can entertain themselves with almost anything, Baily needs and loves projects. First grade is perfect for her and offers her an opportunity to keep her mind working on something. It’s fun to see how excited she gets about school. Last Sunday I gave her a blessing to start off the school year as my father used to do for us. I felt such peace as I blessed her with safety, a clear mind, and an ability to resist the evil she will undoubtedly face. I worry so much about what occurs at schools and it was comforting to be reminded through that blessing of her desire and tendency to choose the right.

As for Bethy, Lily, and Grant – Bethy continues to make life an adventure, Lily is Bethy’s biggest accomplice and admirer, and Grant is as chubby as ever, but extremely active. Grant scoots around the house and tastes every thing he can get a hold of. If he’s fed and rested, he is an extremely happy baby and shows a big wide-mouthed smile every time he gets any attention.

Other changes are also occuring close to home. A couple weeks ago our ward had some major changes. The presidencies of the Relief Society, Young Women’s, Sunday School, and Primary were changed. Then on Sunday our Bishopric was released. Bishop Anderson, who I have grown to love and deeply respect gave a humble testimony and expressed his love for the ward members. I believe I will always remember his leadership as a defining part of my life. What a great man. My close friend Shane Dittrich was also released after serving for two years as second and first counselor. Without much surprise, my first counselor, Paul Ashton, was called as Bishop. After a presidency meeting before church, in which he was very quiet, I called to make sure he was alright. He assured me he was well and an hour later, President Holm confirmed my suspicions that he has been called as our next bishop. Bishop Ashton called TJ Jones as his first counselor and Kip Dribnack, formerly the Elders Quorum President, as second counselor. Now almost every organization in our ward has gone through dramatic changes. At first I lamented to Amy my disappointment in losing Paul from our presidency, but then realized that our interaction will now only be enhanced. As Bishop, he attends our Priest Quorum meetings and Wednesday night activities. He is the best kind of man and I am so pleased to have him as my Bishop. Adding his love and concern for the youth to that already shown by Bishop Anderson, will only help solidify our youth’s testimonies and knowledge of God’s love for them. I am excited to begin this next phase in my calling and to be surrounded by such great leaders. As I see the evil in the world around me it gives me hope to think that there are so many more wards filled with great men and women, and that there is still much good in society despite the bad.