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Last week Derek was sustained as the Bishop of the Frisco 5th Ward.  He follows Bishop Ken Taylor, who he served as a counselor for several years ago.  This was a very humbling and surprising call for Derek (I was less surprised).  The night after the Stake President (Pres Alleman) and his 1st Counselor (Pres Dotter) came over to extend the call Derek went on an 11 pm run – 5 miles in the dark – to clear his head.  That next day I would find him reading his scriptures with tears in his eyes – humbled and overwhelmed with the responsibilities that had been placed upon him.  But he had two weeks – filled with a car accident, a trip to NYC with friends, and a lost wallet – to come to terms with what he needed to do.  And by Sunday November 14th he was anxious and ready to serve.  It was a blessing to have my mom and Steve there for the meeting and Derek's sister Audra – and for the setting apart.  He has called two great counselors – Scott Chappell and Michael Lee and a fabulous Executive Secretary – Ben Christianson.  This week has been a whirlwind.  He has been up until the middle of the night, reading the handbook, emailing people, planning meetings, setting agendas, visiting ward members.  He also went to 5th grade camp as a chaperone with Jacob (which I'll talk about in another post).  I have visibly seen the mantle of authority come to him and have been impressed with his energy, his desire, his love for people.  It has been a wonderful experience and he will be a fantastic Bishop.

The good news:  I survived my first full day as a bishop's wife!!  Derek left pre-7 am this morning, returned for 30 minutes around 4 (because of a cancelled appointment) and left again until 8:45 pm.  The boys and I successfully got everyone dressed, fed and to church on time.  We had lunch, put Samuel down for a nap.  The big boys played together quietly (mostly – only exception trying to sumo wrestle while I was on the phone with my mom) and found a "leaf bug" in the backyard and made a plastic container "habitat" for it (to show Dad and Pops).  We took Maggie on a walk, stopped to visit with a friend, and had breakfast for dinner.  The big boys passed off one of their "Faith in God" goals by studying D&C 89 together, and planned and carried out two great activities based around the Word of Wisdom.  They were so proud to teach and involve me and Samuel and I was impressed with their efforts.  And we ended the night with Jacob reading out loud to me and Samuel (Caleb went to bed with a headache).  Read aloud time is one of my recent favorites – one boy plays with my hair while the other reads (usually scriptures, but tonight it was Swiss Family Robinson).  It was a looooonnnnngggg day for me!  But I made it and it ended happily (mostly) for everyone.  I'll call it successful and am ready to try again next week!  I have felt my Heavenly Father's love and an increased ability with Derek's absence.  My attitude about his being gone has changed – it is less of a burden and more of a blessing, because I know that he is serving and helping others while he is gone.  And I am also hopeful that over the next few months things will even out just a little and these long Sundays will be a little shorter for him (just a little!).

We're still getting used to being called "Bishop" and the "Bishop's wife" – but we consider it a humbling privilege and are anxious to serve and bless and love the members of our amazing ward.