Last Saturday, November 28th, we were in Lehi at Ashley's house and shortly after we had woken up in the morning, Brent received a phone call from the Stake executive secretary, Brother David Hill telling him that our Stake President, President Scott Shill wanted to meet with us for a half hour. We off course wondered what this was all about. We already knew our Bishop was moving and so we thought that maybe Brent could be called as the Bishop, or counselor. The Stake President wanted to meet with Brent on Sunday morning (the next day) but since we were in Utah and would not be back to Orlando until Monday, we scheduled the interview for Wednesday. The Stake President interviewed me first and then Brent and then both of us together went into his office with the president and his counselors and the president extended the call to Brent as Bishop of the Lake Reams Ward. I felt a peace come over me when I heard the Stake President extend the call. This was Wednesday so he only had until Friday to think of his counselors. The whole week seemed so hard for us, we had a hard time falling asleep and eating, but felt much better on Sunday night. I guess it was nerves, this is a big calling and we are humbled by it. I'm so thankful for Brent, he is the best husband and father. He has taught me so much. I love my conversations with him, we love being together and talking and we could do that forever. He calls me over a hundred times a day just to talk to me. I know that he will be a great Bishop because he is so caring. Sacrament meeting was beautiful. I felt the spirit so strong. Brent bore a beautiful testimony. I am glad I did not have to because I would have cried the whole entire time. The Stake President said that Brent was called of God and that the First Presidency approved. The way it works is, the Stake submits his name to Salt Lake and then they get the letter of approval from the First Presidency, then the Stake call us in and interview us. I am so thankful that Brent is a worthy Priesthood holder. I know he will grow so much in this calling. I am so happy for him. I am going to be released some time soon from my Stake RS calling. I am going to miss it and I will miss the Sisters I have served with in the past 4 years, but I know it is time for me to be done and let Brent have his turn :) This past summer after the Ward Conferences were done I felt this was my last time, I knew in my heart I was done. When I found out our Bishop was moving, I felt that Brent could be called as Bishop. This was not the first time I have had such feelings. When the Stake RS secretary was released 4 years ago, I knew right away that I would be called. When the second counselor in the Stake called my cell phone to tell me he wanted to talk to me, I knew immediately he was going to ask me to be the secretary because I had already had that prompting before. I have always been very shy and have kind of been hard on myself because I felt I wasn't capable of teaching in RS. When I was secretary in the Stake RS they had me teach the two Spanish units in the Stake. A year later I was called to be the first counselor and I had to teach in English and Spanish. I learned so much about myself in these 4 years of service. The Lord has taught me so much, I am no longer hard on myself. I am not the best teacher but I know now that I don't need to be the best. We are not the teachers, the Holy Ghost is the teacher. I feel so much better about myself and I have learned that God knows what is best for us. These callings were hard for me, I did things I never thought I would do or was capable of doing and in doing them I was blessed and so was my family. Brent has been a big support for me in these 4 years. He was there for Parker and Conner while I was away pretty much every Sunday from January to June for Ward Conferences and trainings. I am so happy that now I get to support him and help him so that he can do his best in this calling. I feel that because of my callings in the Stake and because I am happier about myself I can better support him in this calling. I always told Brent that God was preparing me and I could tell and see the difference in me. I am not boasting or anything I just know that I am a different person. I am happier and I don't compare myself to others anymore. We all have different talents and strength and are capable of many things. We all have so much to contribute in church. Here are some pictures I took before church on Sunday. I knew Brent would have to stay until late at church so we took them before. I was surprised by all the text messages we received after church, some even came shortly after Sacrament!! We got emails too!!! All congratulating Brent!! I was not expecting it. So many brothers and sisters were congratulating us in the hallway, I was blown away. They were so happy for us. I really did not expect that. We felt so much love from our Ward!!! I am thankful for the Ward and for their support and for the love they have already shown to us!!
Here is Bishop Hanson
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| When Brent was bearing his testimony, my sweet boy Conner was sobbing. He had his head against my shoulder when I felt drops falling on my arm. I looked down and he was crying. Later that night we spoke about how he was crying because he felt good and was feeling the Holy Ghost! |
