Rex's release from our Bishopric

Our family when Rex was called to
the Bishopric on August 22, 2004

Our family (minus me, I'm taking the picture)
when Rex was released from
the Bishopric on August 23, 2009

On Sunday, August 23, Rex was released from our Bishopric. He served for exactly five years plus one day with Bishop Cureton. Evan was exactly nine months old to the day when he was called.

It has been a great five years. He has enjoyed being in the bishopric and being involved with all aspects of the ward (at least from my perspective). He was first called as the second councilor with Brother Kephart as first councilor and served for approx. 2 1/2 years in that capacity. When Bro. Kephart was released, Rex was called as first Councilor.

I must admit, I did a little happy dance (not literally) that he was being released since I have been a Sacrament Meeting Single Mom ever since Evan was ...well, nine months old. Thank goodness for Sister Callihan and other people in our ward that have been so helpful when I needed a few extra hands.

A few weeks before his release, we were called into the Stake President's office and he was asked to serve as the Stake Young Men's Secretary. He accepted without hesitation after he thought for a minute about the way Pres. Udall asked him: "Will you serve as the Stake Young Men's President (pause) 's secretary?" His stomach jumped to his throat and then back down again. Afterall, he was glad to have a secretary calling instead of a President calling.

For a few weeks he was doing double duty because they hadn't yet called a first councilor to the Bishop. Our poor bishop - he got hammered all at once. The second councilor, Brother Callister, also was released to be an early morning Seminary teacher and was released a week before Rex was released. Brother McEwen was called as second councilor. Several months ago Bishop Cureton told Rex that he was told that they've been put on the 'six-year plan'. Average time for a bishop to serve is five years - although there's no guarantee (obviously). So now, Bishop is training new councilors. Brother Jones was called as the first councilor and has been a councilor before so he pretty much knows the ropes-so to speak.

The Sunday Rex was being released, we told Evan and Mason before church that daddy would now be able to sit with us in church. In Evan's prayer over breakfast that morning, he said, 'Please bless daddy in whatever he does in church today that he'll have fun doing it.'

I must admit, it is SO nice to have Rex home on Sunday mornings and after church. It is nice to sit by him in Sacrament Meeting. And I LOVE having him home every Wednesday night, which is when our ward has Young Men/Young Women activities.

With his new calling, he will be quite busy on weekends that the stake has Young Men campouts, trainings, and other necessary places for him to be. But for now, I LOVE HAVING HIM HOME!