The plans for my mother's day really took a turn on Thursday, May 6
th. It was a lovely day. Chuck* got off work early to come see Natalie and Angela's ballet recital, which was in the top ten cutest things I've ever seen. We were enjoying the afternoon, when Chuck* got a phone call from the stake executive secretary.
Hmmm - that sounded really suspicious. When you get a call from an executive secretary in our church, unsolicited, that usually means there is a new calling in the works. We were both feeling quite happy and absorbed in our current callings - young women's president and ward financial clerk. We kept pushing the obvious to the back of our minds over and over. The new bishopric had not been called yet. Nah! That couldn't be it. Chuck* likes to blend in with the scenery and lay low. He's too stressed out at work, there's no way someone would think he could handle being in the bishopric.
We made arrangements for a babysitter to come watch the girls because they wanted me to come too. Another dead giveaway that something was afoot. We were all dressed up and trying to act natural so our babysitter, who is in the ward, didn't suspect anything. I had Chuck* go out to the car before she came. I was hoping she'd think I just had a meeting and Chuck* was still at work. However, if you have a 9 year old and you're trying to be sneaky - FORGET it! As soon as Natalie (the babysitter) arrived, Sarah started playing 20 questions. (She didn't know what was going on or where we were going and she HATES not knowing what is going on.) "Mom, why are you all dressed up?", "Where are you going?" I told her I was just going to meet with someone from church. "So why is dad hiding in the car?" My face flushed and I looked at Natalie. I made up something dumb and ran out laughing. Sarah is such a stinker! (O:
Well, our meeting with President Page went surprisingly smooth, we kept thinking that if it was what we thought it was, we didn't know how we could make it work with Chuck's* insane work schedule. But, surprisingly enough, when the call came, the feeling in the room was peaceful. All those fears and nerves were gone and we felt really good about it. Definitely a sign that it was meant to be. My first thought was my young women. I knew what it meant - I would be released. But it was a wonderful opportunity for Chuck* and I was proud of him.
We talked for a minute with Mark, the other counselor who waited in the parking lot for us to come out. (He put two and two together.) We were excited to get a little sneak peak at who the new bishop would be too! Brother
Melanson. He will be fabulous. Such a nice guy and a great leader. Our next item of business - a suit! We went straight to Men's Warehouse. It was fun! Chuck* looked so handsome in the suit he chose. I wish I could shop as efficiently as him. He just knows what he wants. We had a suit, a sport coat, two shirts, shoes, a belt and two ties picked out in about a half hour. Amazing! It takes me that long to pick a $10 shirt.
Even more important was the phone call to let Chuck's* parents know. We really hoped they might be able to make it out and that Chuck's* dad would be able to do the ordination of Chuck* to a high priest. Chuck's* parents were thrilled and made plans right away to make it for the ordination which was just three days away! And this goes to show what amazing parents they are. They left the very next day driving out here and got here Saturday afternoon. They had to leave Sunday afternoon to get back for work. So basically in one day they planned a trip that would take more time driving than staying here. All to be here to support Chuck* on his big day. We love them so so much - this will always mean so much to us that they did that.
Once we knew they were coming, somehow we felt very calm about everything. (Well, I'm sure Chuck* still had some nervousness, but it really was a huge help to know they'd be there.) We also thought it would be fun to not say anything to the girls and just have grandma and grandpa show up!
And boy was THAT fun! We made sure to be playing in the front yard when grandma and grandpa happened to pull up. If only I had caught it on video. They were so confused and excited. It was hilarious!
We spent the whole afternoon just playing together in the front yard. It was a beautiful day . . . this is just a tiny sample of the tons of pictures I took!
The
jumproping was HIGHLY entertaining.
Saturday night, our new bishop wanted to meet with the new counselors and their wives. We had a great time laughing and crying about all the changes and sharing experiences that led to that moment. It was so neat to get together. These guys are going to be great together for the ward and they were excited to serve. It was nice having fabulous babysitters that evening so we could enjoy that gathering. (o:
So now back to mother's day. The Sunday Chuck* was officially ordained and sustained was Mother's Day. It was kind of sad - I got to sit by him for the first few minutes of sacrament meeting and then he was up on the stand. Luckily, I had my sweet mother and father in law that first day. It's kind of a weird feeling. But it was very happy at the same time. He looked so handsome up on the stand. (o:
It was fun to hear everyone's surprise and congratulations after sacrament meeting. And of course, Chuck's* ordination by his dad was the best. I was so grateful he could be there - it would not have been the same without him there to do that. Then after church was over, the meetings for Chuck* began! So I didn't get to have the pampering husband making dinner for me. However, I got the next best thing! I had a wonderful father-in-law assist me in making Thai Chicken Wraps and we had a fabulous time! I can honestly say that it was the best mother's day ever! We are so very blessed.
And speaking of that, I just have to share a miracle that happened that Sunday. Up until that day - Chuck* had been getting pages every single Sunday - often more than one during church. It was so bad for the previous few months, he just brought his work laptop to church and would work in the clerk's office if he needed to. That was one hurdle we really worried about - a member of the bishopric can't be leaving sacrament meeting to answer a page. And he wouldn't be able to sneak in the clerk's office to check on his laptop during the three hours either. (Not to mention the other hours he has meetings before and after church.) Later in the afternoon, Chuck* told me that his pager was silent the entire morning and afternoon of church and his meetings. I almost cried. And that has been our miracle since receiving this call. Things at work have changed dramatically, particularly on Sundays. (I am writing this three months later and this is STILL the case.) I know that the Lord made this calling possible for us - we just had to take a leap of faith and trust in Him. We are so grateful. I have joked that I wished Chuck* got called into the bishopric sooner because of all the blessings his calling has brought our family. (o:
