Lots of New, just not New York

Michael served his mission in Rochester New York, and we've wanted to visit since we were married. The first time it seemed like a real possibility was for our 10 year anniversary while we were living in Iowa. We planned to take a road trip up to NY with a few stops along the way. But, we ended up moving from IA to KY that summer and there simply wasn't time or money for the trip. 

Our next plan was for our 12th anniversary while living in KY. But, we also ended up moving that summer from KY to UT so again the trip didn't happen. 

We considered the next summer - then COVID hit. You get the picture - the NY trip kept not working out. 

Well, this fall we finally decided we were going to make it happen when we found a killer deal on flights from SLC to Buffalo. We booked the tickets, made plans for Michael's dad to come stay with the kids, and started planning our adventures. It was finally going to happen! 

BUT... one Sunday Michael came home with a question for me from the Stake President. "Would we consider postponing our trip to New York so that we would be in town for Stake Conference weekend?" We would be getting a new Stake President and the visiting general authority would like to interview all the Bishops. The Stake President felt strongly that Michael should be there for the weekend. 

We looked into possibilities, but postponing the trip was unrealistic. Ticket prices had jumped too much to just switch to a flight later in December or January and affordable tickets were too close to baby's arrival for me to travel. So we did some soul searching and seriously praying. But hated to do it, but we couldn't deny the impression that we really needed to cancel the trip. 

The weekend of Stake Conference arrived. Michael had an interview Saturday afternoon with Elder Schmidt (General Authority Seventy) and Elder Smith (Area Authority Seventy). That evening he received a text asking if we could both meet with them again after the adult session. At nearly 9pm Saturday evening he was called as the 2nd Counselor in our new Stake Presidency. We were then asked to return to the church the following morning at 7:30am for training with Elder Schmidt and Smith, the new Stake Presidency, and their wives. Talk about a whirlwind of a timeline! 

When they extended the calling and the training the following morning were incredible, emotional, and spiritual experiences that are difficult to articulate. We felt tremendously loved and seen by these two men we had barely met. We felt the care and concern of the general authorities and the prophet for this church and our stake. We felt the immense love of our Savior for us and for all of His children. There was so much we learned, and so much we still need to digest and ponder. Much more than I can put in to words in this post. Truly they were remarkable meetings that gave us peace during an overwhelming time.

The past month since his calling, all three of these new Stake Presidency members have been pulling double-duty as they continue to serve as Bishops in their respective wards until new Bishops can be approved and called. It has been a bit crazy! But