Our Stake Conference was in March and during the Stake Conference our Stake was split and we got a new Stake Presidency. Brother Bond and Brother Winter from our ward were put in as counselors and the new Stake president is President Bennett. About a week later Kefford got a text from President Bennett asking if he could come over and meet our family. He came that night and we had a nice visit and that was that. I assumed it was because Kefford is in a Bishopric and President Bennett was trying to meet people serving in the Stake. About another week later we get another text asking if he could come back to meet with us and I knew what it was going to be about. Kefford knew as well though he tried to deny it, we knew it had to be a new calling for Kefford and he mentioned several callings within the Stake it could be though we both deep down knew what the calling was going to be. What I liked about this visit and the previous one was he sent the text to us in the morning to meet with us that evening. I always disliked the habit of being called in to meet with someone about a new calling and the meeting being days away, too much time to stress and speculate. So I liked that he is a get it done quick kind of guy. When the doorbell rang that night I went to answer it and found not just President Bennett at the door but President Bond and President Winter as well. I was a little taken aback and just said "Hi guys" in a surprised voice. They chuckled about the surprise and we invited them all in. They wanted to meet with all of us including Rylee which was unusual but I really liked that she was part of the meeting. After some small talk they got down to business and called Kefford to be the new Bishop of the Bainbridge Ward. Like I said deep down we all knew what was coming but it was still a shock for Kefford and he looked a little over-whelmed as they were talking to him. It honestly was a really good meeting with the men in our Stake Presidency and as they talked to Kefford and expressed their confidence in and love for him I felt the Spirit and felt a love for them. They are good men and I am really excited about them being the leaders of our Stake and know that they will do so much good. I also know that Kefford will be an amazing Bishop and I am excited to see him lead our Ward and be a source of good for the members.
President Bennett told Kefford to pray about who he wanted as counselors and to let him know when he has decided. After a couple of days of watching General Conference, praying and going to the Temple Kefford felt good about Jeff Johnson as his first counselor and Rod Givens as his second counselor. Jeff was going to be out of town the next Sunday so we had to wait two weeks for the new Bishopric to be announced. It was a bit of a hard secret to keep especially because the Ward knew that Bishop Eberhards time as Bishop was about up and there was a lot of speculating going on. I walk a two times a week with my friend Erika Lish and the week following President Bennett issuing the call to Kefford she was naming names of who she thought would be the next Bishop. She said that Kefford would be so good but didn't think he would be called because he was just in a Bishopric. The entire time she was talking I was dyeing inside and just had to remain quiet, it was rough.
I was pretty anxious the Sunday that Kefford was being put in, I was happy for it to finally be out there and done but I also was told I was going to be asked to bare my testimony and I was not excited. I do not like public speaking and was really nervous all through the meeting. Of course I went next to last and I was a sweaty mess by the time I got up there. I told my family I would be baring my testimony so a lot of them were able to tune in which I like but I was still so nervous. I got a new dress a couple of weeks prior and I decided to save it to wear on this day to give me some confidence, I don't know that it worked but maybe it helped me a little bit.I was on the phone with Heather that morning and she wanted to see my dress so I sent her a picture. I bore my testimony and then got down as fast as I could. Bob and Alison came and were sitting with Rylee and I during the meeting and when I got up I saw that Jeremy was there with Michael Hartley(Kefford's childhood friend) and Brit and Kelsey were also there with their kids. It was nice for Kefford to have the support but it just made me more nervous, ugh.
After the meeting we went to the stage where Kefford and his counselors were set apart. All three men were emotional and received really neat blessings, I am really excited for our ward and for these men who are willing to serve. I know they will do such a great job and be so good for the members in our ward. After sacrament meeting and after church I received nothing but support and love for me being the new Bishops wife and I heard nothing but positive feedback about this new Bishopric, it is nice to feel so much support for Kefford and his counselors.
Kefford met briefly with his new Counselors after church but was told to not have any serious meetings this first day. We were able to spend the rest of the day relaxing and chilling as a family of three.
Bodi is friends with Rylee and wanted to come watch her play lacrosse whenever he could and he was able to come and watch a good handful of her games. he missed seeing the games the week they won every game and this game they did not win but it was still fun to watch Rylee play. I like being able to hear her boss around the other girls on defense. She is not doing in a bossy I am in charge type of way just helping her teammates know where to be and who to defend.
On Wednesday Class 14 met at my house for a night of Blind, deaf and mute baking. The girl who is mute has to communicate the baking directions to the deaf girl who then had to tell the one blindfolded what to do. I have cookies, muffins and cupcakes for the girls to bake with and we had three groups of three. It honestly was a fun night, messy and chaotic but really fun.
Adele Williams, Casha Shoemaker and Claire Eaton
Alexa Lish, Sophie Hansen and Avery Ham
Claire Eaton, Casha Shoemaker and a friend