We knew were were getting a new Stake President. We knew Nate would be interviewed. They interviewed all of the Bishops. What we didn't know was that our lives were about to change.
Saturday morning N8 had to be at the church at 7:45am in preparation for an interview at 8:30am. We were suppose to be there at 8am for our families assignment to help clean the church building. I had spent a sleepless night with chills and cold sweats and a sore throat that was horrific.
Nate convinced me there would be enough help at the church cleaning and just to stay home. It didn't take much convincing.
Nate got home just after 10. I needed to still run errands to get ready for a family of 7 that was staying with us for the night. They live 2 1/2 hours north of here. He is the Bishop of the ward and needed to be in Ridgecrest for meetings. Our kids love playing with their kids!
About 10:45, I was feeding Rebekah so I could leave and Nate got a call. How quickly could Nate and I get over to the church building? We were there by 11am.
We were there from 11 to 4pm as Nate was extended the call to be the new Stake President in the Ridgecrest,CA Stake. Without too many details: Councilors were chosen, they were extended calls, and then we were counselled by 2 wonderful members of the Seventy, Elder Golden and Elder Higham.
During that time, I had to get a picture of Nate and upload it to Walmart. They needed the picture by Sunday. We used the back of the Bishops office door.
At 4 I got to go home, but Nate had Priesthood leadership. While home, I quickly made dinner for 14 and ran to walmart to pick up the picture and milk! We were both back at the church from 7-9 for the evening session of Stake Conference.
Sunday morning we also met with Elder Golden and Elder Higham for an hour and half before stake conference began. Rebekah, who turned 3 months on Saturday joined us for all of this. With a double ear infection, but charming everyone that met her.
I was told I would need/get to bear my testimony, I had 3 minutes. I could barely swallow from my sore throat and had a pounding headache.
We arrived separably to conference so I could pick up the kids from home after our morning meeting. We sat anxiously waiting for the meeting to start. Just before they announced the new Stake Presidency, Henry was demanding attention and not being very reverent.
Then it happened. The names were read, Nate stood, the congregation sustained him. People continued to look back at us. Some probably thinking-who is this guy, others-wow, while others were mystified :)
I carried Rebekah up with me to bare my testimony and handed her off to Nate. Elder Golden had asked me to do so. Letting the Stake know, this is who we are, a young family. She immediately started crying and got handed off to a sister in our ward.
I'm not sure what I said, but got down quickly from fright and just plain being overwhelmed. Nate also spoke. I had to feed Rebekah and missed it.
After the meeting we all headed back to the church building (our Stake Conference was held at the the fair grounds for a larger space) for the new Stake Presidency to be set apart.
President Kimbler, 1st Councilor Bull and 2nd Councilor Anderson
I'm still in a daze. Many have asked if I had any inkling that this was going to happen. I have said no. But as I have pondered this more, I think I had. I think I was denying the promptings from the Spirit because I didn't want to listen. Not because I didn't think Nate can do it, or that I didn't want him to. But because this is not something you aspire too. We serve where we are called and do so as faithfully as we can. We know we will be blessed by doing so. We also know we will be tried (this morning both our garage and van doors broke).
Who knows how this will affect our family, but I do know that Nate and I have a testimony in the redeeming power of the Savior. That our family can be an influence for good if we do our best. That our Heavenly Father loves each of his children and we are His children. That this will strengthen Nate and I in ways we could never dream of and challenge us in ways we could never imagine.
This picture if from our Young Women in Excellence night this past week. Nate finished the Gold Tie challenge and got to walk the red carpet. See his JOY! He loves the youth, serving them, teaching them, spending time with them. This is how we serve, joyfully!