New Changes in Ward

Yesterday (and no I don't have any pictures to add) was a surprise. Our Bishopric was released and a new Bishopric installed. No mention was made of this change and it caught everyone off guard. I'm the RS President and was in Ward Council just the hour before the meeting, and yet didn't know. Bishop Jacobsen is being again deployed back to Afghanistan, was there three years ago, hence the change. He flies helicopters for the military.

Actually, I thought it might happen here quickly because a year ago Bro. Olsen, when we were working together w/activities, mentioned that Bishop Jacobsen might be deployed in another year or so and just recently some one mentioned that with the stake presidency changes here next week that perhaps our Bishop would be released, which got me thinking, as do we all contemplate, who a new bishop might be. I have to be honest, and wow this has never happened before, but I speculated quietly to myself and the first thought was Dave Smith, currently on the high council, a good heart and an organized leader. I also thought that Bro. Coleman, a nice, young father and also a seminar teacher, would make a good bishop, plus Bro. Brown, an articulate and humble man, also an accountant for the church, would also be a good bishop, they all having good people skills. I never thought past these three men and behold our new Bishop is Bro. Dave Smith, first counselor Bro. Jeff Coleman, and second counselor Bro. Nathan Brown. Wow, is that not clarification that these men are meant to be our newest ward's leaders.

Last night Tony went to a Melchizedek Priesthood Preview. He, Chris Olsen and JP Sanderson were in attendance. There are several other senior boys, but they didn't show (we've had some boys fall through the cracks). I'm grateful that Tony went, as he's so touchy right now. He wanted to go by himself and really didn't want his parents there?? Our new Bishop was chatting w/Tony and asked him about age, months until mission eligibility, etc. He counseled Tony to go home and start reading the BofM when Tony answered that he had not read the book yet, but only w/the family. I feel comfortable going to chat w/Bishop Smith about Tony and my concerns. I'm feeling hopeful for the first time in weeks that a new Bishop might be able to turn Tony down the road I so desire for him--a testimony and gospel commitment. However, it's really T's decision and the world--job, money for a car, everything not church related--is really pulling on him.