There are two things I've been meaning to write about and just haven't... One of them is the meeting Eric and I went to where Elder Holland instructed us. It was just so amazing to hear him and be there in that chapel with him. He was at ease, so funny, and so powerful as always. I came away feeling energized and motivated to just roll up my sleeves and go to work, not worrying so much about the logistics and reports and details of church organization. It's just about saving souls and bringing families unto Christ. Elder Holland's testimony was so powerful. I love to hear the apostles testify. Elder Holland said he knew better than he knew that he was standing there that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. He said he would not have dedicated his life to a fairy tale. I wish that every member of the church could have that experience and being in his presence and just wanting so much to live the gospel. I felt complete peace and happiness, sitting there with Eric, knowing that the most important things in life to me are my husband, my children, and cleaving to the gospel. I was happy knowing how I live and have lived my life. I felt happy living the gospel. It seemed to me like that is how we're supposed to feel when we're living the right way, that that is the goal. I don't think I could have felt that way living any other kind of generally accepted lifestyle. There is something to be said for absolute truth, no matter what the world is adopting at the time.
Eric and I were able to go together to the meeting that Wednesday night because the Sunday before he was called as the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric! It was a big surprise to both of us. I had to go early to church that morning for ward council, and Eric came at 8:30 with the kids. I slipped out of my meeting so I could go with Eric to meet with President Dayton. He talked to Eric first, then invited me into the room. I was so shocked when he told me that he had just called Eric into the bishopric! It wasn't on my radar at all. He said he knew it would be a challenge for us with the kids since I'm YW president, but left it to us to work things out. Eric was sustained that morning in sacrament meeting and went to sit up on the stand.
After Young Women I was talking with Melissa about it and she said Bishop kept saying he couldn't get Eric's name out of his head, that Eric was underutilized. :) I know Bishop struggled with the decision because of my calling, but I don't want to be released. I want the YW to have some stability. I feel like I'm losing all my Laurels, and I want these girls to grow up with leaders that know them and that they can trust.
It's been hard balancing things--I had to have my YW help with the kids during sacrament meeting that first Sunday and the next. We had Ward Conference that next week, so Eric and I both had to be at Ward Council again in the morning. Sweet Hailee Tomkinson got up early and came with me to church to watch the kids during the meeting and then she and Kamber sat with us and helped with the kids. My visiting teacher Sister Hildebrand came to baby-sit the kids the night Eric and I went to the meeting with Elder Holland. And Riley Neddo helped me so much today at church, especially when we went back to church for Abby Johns' baptism, and the boys had just had enough sitting at church! Eric watched me often from the stand today, and saw me here and there during the meeting block. I am just so proud of Eric. So proud of the man he is, of his faith, of his willingness to serve and his capacity to love. When I was speculating on what President Dayton could possibly be calling him to that weekend before he was called, Eric said, "Whatever it is, you just show up and say yes." He is amazing. He filled in to teach Gospel Doctrine today. I was late coming in to class because of getting Ollie settled in Nursery when the leader wasn't there and they were scrambling to get things taken care of. But as soon as I came in, I could tell that Eric was teaching a wonderful lesson--that he was engaging the class members, had a great flow to the lesson, a great take-home message to end with, and he facilitated the discussion so well. He is amazing. He has worked so hard to be at where he is right now. I'm always wanting to be a fly on the wall during one of his geology lectures. :) I'm sure he is just as fantastic a professor as a Sunday School teacher. :)
Eric also popped into ward choir for a few minutes after church. Dawn Varner was surprised to see him and asked how he was able to make it in. He said it was because he was just ignorant of what he was actually supposed to be doing for his calling. :) But he has been practicing at home, picking out his part on the piano all by himself. Dawn wanted to go through his part, the only bass in choir, and he sang so well and so beautifully. I couldn't stop smiling. Eric is so happy and friendly and connects so well with people. I am just so proud that he is my husband.
Tonight he was at the church again for a stake priesthood meeting, and I was struggling to get the kids to bed when he got home. He came upstairs and took the girls and Ollie out of the boys' room for me so I could read to Henrik to get him to sleep. When I joined everyone in the girls' room once Henrik had fallen asleep, I was just happy to be with Eric...to look at him and have him smile at me. He had tears in his eyes as he said, "Thank you. I love you," to me. He is so tender and aware of the burden it can be to me having him gone so much more now. But I am happy to support him, and I know how much he appreciates it.
I often think about President Monson saying his wife has never complained that he has been gone so much, that his calling has taken him away so often. I want to be that kind of a wife to Eric. I hope someday that he can say that his wife never complained when he had to be away for his calling. That is who I want to be. Elder Holland joked that this is the church who seals families for eternity but separates them for life. :) We have already been blessed. I know it. I can't say in what specific ways, but there is something different about our family when we have to sacrifice more for our faith. It brings Eric and me closer, and it helps set a good example to our kids, even though Jolie was whining on the way home from the baptism about how Dad has to be gone so much. :)
I am feeling very happy and blessed. When the hardest things I'm dealing with right now are the paint color on the front door and restraining myself from eating more food/sweets than my body needs, I'm in good shape. :) I know there will be challenges to come...some that will tax and stretch me to my limit. But I'm grateful to know that those times are when the Lord can bless me and be with me the most. Eric and I are happy to be sacrificing for the kingdom.
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