Weekend of the 14th

This is a short narrative of the events of this past weekend and it's intended for my children. If you are not in the family I hope you can read it for what it is. Pam was in Denver and I missed her desperately despite the perfect assurance I had in my mind that nothing would happen regarding my call as stake executive secretary. For months I have had little twinges of "What If?" But I always put them behind me as nothing but listening to friends too much. That's a whole different story. I have been badgered for weeks about the change in the stake and I just wanted people to stop with it! I can't imagine anyone wanting to aspire to such a calling and I certainly did not.

When I met Elder Moon and Wood Friday evening the whole process began and they were wonderful. We had dinner as a presidency and wives with them at the Sagebrush Grill here in Monroe for the purpose of them getting to know us. Then Elder Wood and Elder and Sister Moon stayed with me in our home and they seemed to really enjoy being here. Sister Moon said it was just like going home. Saturday morning we had an hour long meeting with Elder Wood and Moon and they went over the process that would take place and the more they talked the more confident I was that nothing would happen with me. At 8:00 am the interviews began and we went all morning and into the early afternoon. They interviewed all the high council, bishops and past bishops and as I watched these men come and go I was amazed at how much talent and spiritual depth we had in the stake. Several times Elder Wood commented that we had the strongest high council he had ever seen. I don't know whether he was just flattering us or stating a fact, but they are wonderful men. Shortly after 2:00 pm I was in the clerks office with President Reid [the outgoing stake president] and Elder Wood and Moon came in and he said to me "This doesn't mean anything, but could we speak with your wife?" I can't begin to express the feeling that came over me. I knew what that meant and I almost broke down and couldn't hardly speak. I moved over to the phone and called Pam and when she answered I said "Elder Wood needs to speak with you." Well Pam had a conversation with Elder Wood and then I was called into the president's office and the call extended. My whole being screamed at me that I couldn't do this, but my mouth said "yes." They said some very nice things about me and the role I would play in the stake for the next few years. I just couldn't hardly contemplate it all. Well the next thing was counselors and strangely enough I knew who they would be and within 30 minutes they and their wives had been called interviewed and the presidency was set. They too were pretty overwhelmed and as we all met in the high council room for a few minutes they expressed their support to me and willingness to serve. The rest of the day was a blur as we went through priesthood leadership and the adult session but we got through the day and welcomed the arrival of your mother and Travis Saturday night. I can't tell you how much that helped.

Sunday morning the old presidency was released and the new presidency sustained and I don't know how the announcements were received throughout the stake, but I hope that we can be an effective presidency. When Elder Wood set me apart he gave such a wonderful blessing that I could hardly contain it. Hopefully the mantle will fall on me sometime. A special blessing for me was that Travis stood in the circle while I was set apart and that will always be a wonderful memory.

Now my children, I hope you know how much I love and appreciate each of you and the support you gave to me on sunday. You know all my faults and I hope and pray you will allow the power of the atonement to heal me also. I know that this calling will bless our family. I have already felt the goodness of the Savior in my life in special ways these past few days.

Love, Dad