Bishop Bowling

About a month ago I was asked to meet with the stake president, and I was asked to bring my wife.  We knew that there was a change in the bishopric coming.  Lisa figured they had already chosen a bishop.  I had had the impression that a change was coming for me but I kept telling myself that I would be called as a counselor. We were both surprised to hear that I was called to be the Bishop of the Rossmoor ward.  It has been a humbling experience.

I learned that there is no such thing as slowly adjusting to the calling of a bishop.  I was able to perform my first wedding ceremony in less than a week into my calling.  I have been blessed by wonderful counselors, stake leadership and members of the ward that sustain me.  This is not a job that you ask for, but it is not a job that you get by mistake.  I know that I have been given this opportunity from God to serve in his church.  This is his work.  I am his servant.  I feel overwhelmed, but lifted and strengthened at the same time.

It has been difficult for Ava and Lisa.  I love being a father.  One of my favorite things to do is to put Ava to bed.  I sing Abide With Me (in Italian) to her almost every night as I put her to bed.  I have been doing this since she was a new born. Now that I am the bishop there are several nights per week that she is already sleeping by the time I get home from my meetings.  The first Wednesday night as a bishop I made it home just a few minutes too late and she was already sleeping.  I have to admit that I cried, because I was looking forward to singing her to sleep.  Later that week on Friday morning Ava woke up around 3 A.M. calling for me.  She just wanted to talk to me and snuggle in her bed.

I know that this calling will be a challenge for my family and will require many sacrifices, but we will be blessed for this service.  I am grateful for an understanding wife who loves and supports me. I know that I have been called of God.  I know that Jesus Christ lives.  He loves us.  He knows each and every one of us.