Three amazing women!

I have had the great privilege to spend a lot of time with these three women for the last year and a half. (I guess we have only been lucky enough to have Sherrie since January.) These are my two counselors and secretary. Brooke was my 1st counselor, Brittany my 2nd counselor, and Sherrie my secretary.

Brittany, Sherrie, Me, Brooke

(I must not have gotten the memo we were wearing white skirts. hehehe)

I am going to start out back at the beginning with how it all started. Gilbert and I moved to the Blackhawk Condos in Logan on August 25, 2008. We were trying to buy a condo up there and because of some weird things not falling into place as they should have we were told at the last minute that we didn't approve for our loan. We were really discouraged because there is no reason we should have not approved. (Besides the fact that Heavenly Father was putting us exactly where He needed us.) So we were left with two days (Friday and Saturday) to find a place to live, and move. On Thursday a new For Rent sign went up on Condo #22. We found it on Friday called the lady and she came right over to meet us. We saw it, liked it, filled out an application, got approved, got keys, and moved in on Saturday. Gilbert started school on Monday. We went to church and immediately fell in love with our new Ward. They were so kind. There wasn't one time that we were left alone with no one to talk to. I was so impressed with how friendly everyone was. Well time passed. Gilbert was called to be the first counselor in the Sunday School Presidency, and I was called to be the Humanitarian/ Canning Specialist. The Relief Society Presidency came to visit and then the Bishopric. The Bishop wasn't able to make it that night for some reason so when we received a phone call from Brother Taylor (the executive secretary) to meet with the Bishop on Sunday I thought maybe the Bishop felt bad he couldn't be there and wanted to meet us. (How naive I was.) It was the Sunday right before Thanksgiving. He asked for both Gilbert and I to go. Gilbert thought maybe we were going to be called into the primary as team teachers. (At least that's what he hoped.) When we got there The Bishop first asked Gilbert how his calling was going and if he would be able to support me in a new calling. He then asked me if I would be the Relief Society President. I was shocked. I thought he was kidding so I just sat there in silence waiting for him to say just kidding. Well he never did so then all I could say was that I was going to have to pray and get my own confirmation that this was right. The Bishop didn't know what to say. Then he asked, "Is that a yes then?" I told him yes and that I would always do whatever he asked me to do, but that I needed to pray to my Heavenly Father for His guidance. Then he told Gilbert that he was to be my best counselor. He then told me I had a week to pick my counselors and advised me to call my mom for support. He told me that I could pray about some names and then when I had a small list of names to call him and he would tell me a little bit more about them since I didn't really know anyone in the Ward yet. I told him we were planning on being out of town for the whole month of December as soon as school got out for Gilbert to go visit family. I asked the Bishop if he needed us to stay or come back on weekends and he said to just go on with whatever plans we had and as soon as we got back into town then he would have me sustained in. When we went home I couldn't get it out of my head that this was a joke. I seriously thought the Bishop was going to call me and tell me just kidding and that they already had a new relief society president. Gilbert kept teasing me on the way home that this was my answer for praying for friends, and now I got to pick out who I wanted to be my two new best friends. The biggest problem was that I really didn't know anyone in the Ward yet. I knew of some names and faces, but that was about it. I couldn't stop thinking about who my counselors were going to be so when we got home I found my sister's list from RS and went up to my room to pray about it. I knelt down and prayed over every name on the list for about two hours. I had narrowed the names down to eight names and called the Bishop as he asked. He didn't answer so then I called my mom. She was really excited for me and then told me that she has never been a relief society president. She has been in the presidency but never the president. I was shocked again. We talked for a little bit about what happens in RS because I didn't really know that much. After I got off the phone I went downstairs to talk to Gilbert. I told him I couldn't stop thinking about it until I knew who my counselors were. He told me it might be easier if I took a break and ate dinner. I followed his counsel. Later that night we were upstairs talking in the bathroom while Gilbert was brushing his teeth. I don't know what we were even talking about when all of sudden the names "Brooke Geary, Brittany Powell" were told so clearly to my mind. Just like that. I knew with out a doubt who my counselors were to be and in what order. I was so excited I told Gilbert and then ran to call the Bishop again. He answered this time. I told him I knew who my counselors were. I told him and then he sounded really hesitant. Then he told me that he was worried about Brooke Geary, because her husband was the Ward Mission Leader and he had promised Brooke that he wouldn't give her a big calling until her husband was released. (Who had been in the Bishopric prior to being the Ward Mission Leader.) He was scared of laying too much on her at one time. Then he told me he was worried for Brittany Powell just for selfish reasons. She was the first dependable Activities Chairman he had had in a long time and he didn't want to lose her. I then told him how I got my answer and I was with out a doubt sure they were supposed to be my two counselors and I wanted to keep Melanie Rust (the secretary from the presidency prior) as my secretary. You can't fight the Spirit so he said okay. We were then put in as the new Relief Society Presidency of the Logan River 2nd Ward the second week in January when Gilbert and I got back into town. I hadn't had very much experience in RS so I didn't really even know what they did. I had always had callings in Primary or YW so I never got the opportunity to go to RS. I know without a doubt that I was given the two very best counselors I could have asked for. They were soooo supportive of me. We had our first presidency meeting and they were so quick to volunteer to do everything. I hadn't learned the necessity and beauty of delegating yet so they were so helpful. Then every day for the first month they called me and asked if there was anything else they could do to help me. There is no way I could have done it with out all three of them. Melanie was so helpful too because she was the only one who really knew what she was even doing. She helped to guide us a lot and keep us on track. She really is a wonder woman. As time went on we figured out more and more what it is we were supposed to be doing. Then in January of 2010 Melanie was called into the Young Woman's Presidency, and we called Sherrie Hall as our new Secretary. I bombarded her with things to do and keep track of the minute she was put in and she did AMAZING! She is amazing! She dove right in and got everything done we needed her to do. She is always on top of things. I am always learning from her example. Through all the time that I have been able to spend with these three woman my testimony has grown immensely. I have learned so much from their examples. They couldn't have been more perfect counselors and secretary. I will never forget this wonderful year and a half that has been a foundation for my testimony. We have made so many memories together that will always bring a smile to my face. I consider them some of my truest friends. Thank you a million times Brooke, Brittany, and Sherrie for all the time, devotion, thoughts, talents, prayers, and sacrifices you have made in my behalf. You couldn't have made it any better than you did. I am really going to miss all the time we got to spend together. I wish each of you knew how much you have strengthened me. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. I hope we can stay in touch with each other from time to time. I pray and wish for the best for each of you!

Brooke-

I will never forget always counting on you for everything.

Picking up all my slack and filling in every time I left town.

All the funny text messages you got during meetings, and home visits of the latest update of your children's lives. Aka: Bracken just swallowed a whole napkin, or Bracken just tried eating a piece of licorice whole at the age of 12 months. Or Mason just got a hook stuck in his eye, or Mason just fell off the bed and has a huge goose egg on his head, or Bracken just bit Mason, etc.

Every time you left all your children melting down saying when are you ever going to come back.

You getting the TOFW tickets for us.

Staying up late and Brittany and Sherrie thought we were crazy.

When a teacher didn't show up on Sunday and you taking care of the situation so well.

Always being the last one to our meetings. :)

Going to the General Relief Society Training in Salt Lake both years with you.

And always having so much faith in me. Thanks a million!

Brittany-

I will never forget your little knock on the door. hehehe

The fun Banjo nights.

You always had the cleanest car, without even a speck of dust, and the one time of all the millions I found some cheerios when you had taken out Sadie's car seat. (Maybe you are human.) :)

Your cool sunglasses we were all jealous of.

Introducing me to all the good places to eat, and what to order.

Every time I ran to your house for a "sec." and staying there for a at least a couple hours just talking.

The random bits of knowledge you always seem to have about everything.

Having some of the Pres. meetings at your house. (With yummy treats.)

You always picked up the slack for things I was supposed to be doing and didn't get them done. (Such as the blog, the RS handouts, and price checking the tablecloths.)

And how close to the Spirit you always are. I am going to really miss you!

Sherrie-

I will never forget how much you added to the presidency when you came in.

Teaching me the true meaning of a "Goober."

Usually being the first to all the meetings and saying "Oh I thought I was going to be late."

Trying your hardest to keep us on schedule with home visits.

Always making us all laugh.

Having the cutest dresses in the world.

Always being so willing to drive.

Always having perfect hair.

Going the extra mile in everything you do.

Making the cutest blocks for the baby gifts.

Threatening us that you are moving. :)

Always being early to church. (I want to be like you someday.)

Letting me grab a quick bowl of cereal after church before you pick me up to go on home visits.

Being the most faithful visiting teacher I know.

And having such a firm testimony. Thank you for your example!

I am going to miss you beautiful ladies a lot. Heavenly Father knew I needed you and I thank Him for it. :)