A Bishop is Released, the Wife's View

   I am grateful and humbled to have been given the experience of being a bishop's (minister/pastor's) wife. The years have been challenging, but we have been greatly blessed.
    At the time of Bishop's calling five years ago, Joel was four and a half and was recovering from Congestive Heart Failure and having an artificial mitral valve placed in his heart. Although he's had illnesses since then, Joel hasn't required a new valve during the entire five year term.
   At the time of the calling, Timmy had just turned 3 and was still walking on his hands like little Mowgli in The Jungle Book. Timmy can now walk, dance and says a few words!
    Four months into Papa's service as bishop, we were blessed with a 4 lb, 6 oz baby GIRL with Down syndrome. You all know this story, but the timeline is interesting if you think about it. Ella is now nearly five years old but has never really sat with her father in church. We've been blessed that more recently, as our older children left home, a ward member stepped up to help fill in on Sundays. A huge blessing! Thank you, Juanita.
    Ella was born a twin but the healthy sister went home with her birth parents and Ella was left behind.  We were against this separation of the girls and prayed that the birthparents would have a change of heart. But when it was already a fact that she'd been alone in the hospital for weeks and the agency called us.... we were happy to bring her home and fell in love.
    And I grieved. I grieved over separating the twin sisters. In spite of their different abilities, I know they would have loved each other. I grieved over their loss of each other. I grieved the birthparents' loss in not knowing Ella. And I grieved the loss of not knowing the other daughter.
    I wished that we could give Ella Rose a sister close to her age, no more  than three years older or younger. We worked hard to figure out what we should do. And we prayed a lot.
    Then we were blessed with a phone call. A newborn baby girl with Down syndrome waited in a hospital within our own state. Would we adopt her? She was born on November 23rd. The same day as Ella's birthday, exactly 3 years later. That was a hug from Heavenly Father. A miraculous blessing we couldn't deny!
    And so, our arms have been full during these years. Our oldest two daughters have also been blessed in having and/or adopting during these last five years--true miracles again as they each suffered infertility for many years of their marriages.
     If you remember, our previous bishop was also blessed with children during his service in this ward; so, new Bishop, be prepared. ; )
    Another blessing we've experienced is that of having a daughter on a mission. Words can't express the joy that brings us, to know she is on the Lord's errand.
    Another blessing I'd like to count here, is the better understanding I've come to have in how the Priesthood works. Although I wasn't in the meetings and the bishop kept everything confidential, I did find him praying in our room on several occasions at different times of the day. I know that he tried very hard to do what the Lord wanted him to do and to serve all of you. And my testimony has been strengthened in the inspired process of assigning callings in this church.
    I bear my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Christ that we are taught in this the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the fulness of the gospel to the earth and that he humbly accepted his calling to serve with all of his heart, even sealing his testimony with his martyrdom.
    I'm thankful to the Lord for all of these blessings!
    I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.