A Huge Surprise

Last Wednesday night we had an appointment with a member of our Stake Presidency. He said that he just needed to see us for a few minutes after his meeting. So we waited, thinking that possibly we would be asked to speak at the upcoming Stake Conference perhaps about our experiences at the care center. The door bell rang at 9:05 pm and we opened it to see not the counselor but our Stake President on our door step. We warmly welcomed him and invited him in. We sat in the living room and visited for a while then I was asked to be excused. I went to the family room for what seemed to be a very long time. All kinds of possibilities crossed my mind but none were what actually happened. When David came to get me I asked him if I should be scared. "Terrified!" he replied. I knew then that it was not about me. I went back to see the president who then told me that David had been called to serve as the Bishop of the 27th East Ward. It was so out of the blue and shocking that we could hardly believe it. We have been out of our ward for months serving at the care center and very much unaware of the ward doings. We never concieved a single thought that we would be on the radar for anything like this with all the qualified people here. Then we remembered who chooses. I am constantly amazed at the loving, tender, personal involvement that our Heavenly Father has in our lives. We are humbled by this opportunity and we are willing. We have been blessed already. There has been a wonderful outpouring of love and support from our ward members welcoming us home. David will be a great bishop for sure. With the Lord on our side, who could fail?

Bishop Nielson with the Stake Presidency. Sunday, May 3, 2009 after the setting apart.

Roll back to earlier in the day. We invited our children to come to church with us on this Sunday. We made up a reason but did not tell them anything more. When the Bishop was released it was dead quiet in the chapel in anticipation. Then Pres. Richards announced that David S. Nielson had been called. The shock and amazement of our grandchildren and children was fabulous. We had been sitting on three short rows in the back of the chapel all bunched together. When the name was announced, Sarah said out loud with glee "WHAT?" then there was laughing and excited talking which had to be shushed. The looks of happiness and excitement were on all their faces. It was a very fun surprise and a great day. Now, my gentle reader, you can begin to pray for us!