May 19th - Stake Conference & Big Changes

We had stake conference this weekend, so we had to get up and going to our meeting this morning.  It had been announced that there would be a change in the stake presidency, so we were excited about that.  The meeting was good, with all the talks from the outgoing or incoming presidency, plus a couple of their wives.  The new presidency will be a good one.  We know them all, at least a little, and that makes it even better.  The president was the 2nd counselor in the outgoing presidency.  The 1st counselor is a black man who was president of one of our Spanish branches.  He is really terrific.  The 2nd counselor has been the bishop in one of the wards, but was on the high council before that.  He would often ask me to be his companion speaker on high council Sundays.  Very good choices all!

When we got home, I had to get some dinner cooked.  We had barbecued chicken in the oven, boiled new potatoes, fresh lima beans, peas, applesauce, and biscuits.  It was all very good.  (I just wondered why I always seem to list our Sunday dinner menu and I am thinking it is because I never cook anymore and I want to remind myself that I can do it!)

The rest of our Sunday afternoon was the usual fun with the kids - playing, laughing, napping, etc.  It is what makes Sunday our best day!

Bill had to go to seminary graduation this evening.  He came home excited about the key note speaker.  He is the Atlanta Stake president and a black man.  He was a dynamic speaker and everyone was very impressed.  He had mentioned a mission to Brazil, so Bill took the chance to go and speak with him afterwards.  President Sullivan recognized him immediately.  Bill hadn't realized that he had known him back when he was first baptized in the singles ward, although as they talked, the memories came back.  Bill was on the high council in Roswell Stake and was assigned to the singles ward.  Lisa was in that ward at the same time.  We do not always get to see the results of those baptisms.  He was very excited about it.

I managed to start packing for our trip tonight.  Bill says we need to get going early in the morning - we will see how early!