September 22, 2013 Josh was called to be the 2nd Counselor in our 8th Ward Bishopric.
Josh had been serving on the High Council (the past year) and loved serving the stake in that capacity. He was assigned to our previous (4th) ward, which was fun for him to stay in close contact with dear friends there, as he watched over and served alongside the Priesthood leaders in that ward. He also enjoyed traveling around the stake speaking in different wards and we loved going with him as a family and often spoke with him. Sometimes we traveled 2 hrs East to a branch in Lusk, or an hour West to the missionary branch at Martin's Cove, or visited others wards in town. Serving on the High Council provided a special opportunity to serve closely with the Stake President and Councilors whom Josh loves. The Stake President, Millard Smathers, was our Bishop when we moved to Casper 8 years ago, and we have come to love him deeply.
But now it is time to change. Change is always good because it promotes growth if we allow it. Josh has now been called to serve in our ward (yay!) as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric. I realize that this new calling may be even more time consuming than the last, but I think we will see his face more in church, which will be nice, so the kids can see that he really does go to church. :)
I am excited for this new opportunity for Josh to learn and grow and serve our ward more exclusively. President Smathers gave him an amazingly beautiful blessing and set him apart. Josh is an amazing man, he has such a deep love and commitment to the Lord, to our family and to serving and blessing others. I am so grateful for him and who he is. One thing I loved in his blessing, was that it said through his service in the ward our children will be blessed and their testimonies will be strengthened. Isn't that what we are ultimately trying to do? Bless and teach our children and help them gain testimonies? I know that by "sharing my husband" as President Smathers put it, that his example and service in this calling will do greater good for our family than if he tried to stay home and teach our children. I have hope and faith that all will be well, even though I am due in three months with my fifth baby, we will have the support and things that we need.
I love the gospel. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for all that we have been blessed with. And I know that to the degree we are committed to the gospel will be the degree of our happiness. It is beautiful.
The Tender Mercy: In Josh's blessing and setting apart, President Smathers blessed him and reminded him of a lot of great things, then he got all choked up and emotional as he said that I am a choice daughter of God... and that I bring Josh great blessings. That really meant a lot to me that he would include that in Josh's blessing and that that was the only time when he got choked up.
