Stake Conference

A few weeks ago in church there was an announcement made that this Stake Conference we would be getting a new Stake presidency.  We had two members of the Seventy in attendance - Elder Wilson and Elder Evanson.  The buildings were packed!

Lennard and I were able to get a babysitter for the adult session on Saturday night.  I'm so glad we did.  It was a wonderful meeting.  President Beazer talked about 'stretching our souls in service' and that as we observe and then serve our VTing and HTing will be magnified.  Sister Burwell (Stake Primary President) had me in tears as she told of an experience where two children's choirs were able to sing to each other and show love for all... no matter their race, religion, etc.  Our daily actions should show that we are disciples of Christ.  Matt Freeman, a recent convert, bore his testimony and used the example of finding diamonds amongst the coal.  There is so much evil in this world, but there is good if you will look for it. There were a number of other speakers - a sister who had recently returned to activity in the church and the Calgary mission president and his wife.

Then, Elder Evanson stood to speak.  His whole talk was about light and how if you have good thoughts, the light will shine out.  He suggested a few ways to draw closer to our Savior:

L - love others
I - invest time in the scriptures
G - go and do!
H - hearken unto the Spirit.  Be happy!
T - temple service brings light into our lives.

Elder Wilson finished off the meeting by sharing more about 'light' and how in the gospel the blessings far outweigh the sacrifices.  He told about his family's FHE evenings and it made me want to try harder with our FHE so that the kids will remember that we did at least try!  He spent some time talking about Lehi's dream and the fruit; holding on to the rod of iron - the word of God.  It was a great talk.

Sunday morning, the building was humming with people!  My uncle had got there extra early and saved us seats in the chapel.  The kids were a little restless, but they did pretty good.  As the meeting started, you could tell that everyone was anxious to find out who our new Stake presidency would be. Elder Evanson stood up and bore his testimony of the sacredness of calling a new Stake President and how it was a 'Pentecostal' experience.  He also said that as soon as this man walked into the room, he and Elder Wilson knew that he would be the next president.  He then announced that James Ferguson had been called as our new Stake President!  He is our bishop!  I'd told Lennard earlier that I thought he could easily be called, but I didn't think about it actually happening.  Bob Quinton was called as 1st counselor and Austin Nunn as 2nd counselor.  We will now be getting a new bishopric and Leavitt ward too (Austin is bishop there).  Wow.  Lots of changes will be happening!

The rest of the meeting was spent listening to the past Stake Presidency bear their testimonies, then the new Stake Presidency and the Temple President and Matron.  Elder Evanson spoke about serving and how we need to stop worrying about what we can't do and just start serving.  Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we don't need to carry our trials by ourselves.  Elder Wilson finished the meeting and basically said that if we are doing the things we are supposed to do we will be blessed. It's the small and simple things that will get us through this life.  Lennard and I were both surprised when he told a story of a friend of his from Harvey Station, NB.  To say that we perked up would be an understatement.  Lennard was ready to race to the front afterwards to find out who this friend is, but there were so many people that we didn't get the chance.  Thankfully, my mom was in the choir and happened to be right there when Elder Wilson went passed, so she asked.  The man's last name wasn't one that we recognized, but it was still pretty cool.  Pretty sure we were the only two in the building that knew where Harvey Station is!

It was an excellent meeting.  Mom and Dad came over afterwards to have some lunch.  It was nice to sit and visit with them. We had a pretty lazy afternoon together.  This coming week is going to be crazy busy, so we were glad for a bit of down time before the week starts.