Sacrament meeting in Ithaca

We are visiting Ithaca this week because Tony is teaching at the ASTA(American String Teachers Association) camp at Ithaca College, and Nicholas is attending the camp. Michael and I are tagging along so we can go and see the Church historical sites as well as some of my high school friends. We got here yesterday(Saturday), and went to church this morning. I told Nicholas that he would probably not be passing the sacrament today because he was a visitor. What a shock when one of the newly-ordained teachers came up to him and asked him if he'd like to help pass the sacrament! We have one aisle in our chapel, and this aisle had two, so the method of passing was quite different. Nicholas had lots of help from the members who pointed the way for him to go on the rows! It was a good feeling to see him passing the sacrament in the ward I grew up in.

New Callings

Okay, I knew it wasn't going to last. I was released as Primary President in our branch last October, and called to be a teacher in Relief Society and den leader for our son Michael. They were two callings that I was enjoying preparing for very much, but somehow I knew that they were temporary. A few weeks ago, our branch presidency was re-organized, along with a few other callings. The branch president we had was on a stake mission from another ward in the stake, along with his wife, who was the education counselor in our Relief Society. Because of his release, she was also released, with no one called to replace her. I immediately knew from a strong spiritual impression I received that I would be issued that calling. Sure enough, last week I was called into our new branch president's office, and issued the calling of Education counselor in the Relief Society. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over our family, and He guides us and helps us learn through trials and assignments He gives to us. I am learning more and more to be willing to "go where He wants me to go".

Count your many blessings!

This is my blog for all things spiritual. I love that the Church has been posting weekly videos on YouTube in Mormon Messages. This week's message is "find ways to recognize and remember Gods' kindness. You will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done."

Today our Branch Presidency was re-organized. Our branch president was on a five-year stake assignment to be in our branch, and he met and married his wife while he was in our branch. We developed a very strong bond with them, and we will miss them. Luckily they're in our stake, and we will still see them!

Our new branch president recently lost his mother and his father, both within the past year. He got up to bear his testimony today, and burst into tears(I've never seen a new branch president or bishop cry - this was a first!). He is very sensitive, and will definitely become qualified to be a wonderful branch president. As we are told, "whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies." I look forward to the next five years with him at the helm!