WE HAVE A NEW BISHOPRIC

Last week our Bishop and his two counselors were released and our neighbor was made the new Bishop and two new counselors were called. In the Mormon church every position is staffed by ward members. No one is paid. Our missionaries serve for two years--eighteen months for girls--at their own expense.

Anyway, I loved our last Bishopric. They served for five years, which is pretty much standard for a Bishopric. This week, as our new bishop was conducting, I realized that I already loved all of them. I have always heard that you love those you serve, and I know that is true. But, it seems, you also love those who serve you.

Unless it's a crabby waiter, then all the love can be cancelled. Unless he brings you a free dessert or a complimentary spinach artichoke dip, and then you might reconsider.

Or, if one member of the bishopric doesn't blog--he knows who he is--then I might have to threaten and threatening one of the Lord's anointed is never a good idea. So, I might be in trouble. If you never hear from me again my name will be listed in the obituaries. Cause of death: struck by lightening.

JOE COOL RECEIVES THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD

This is Guitar Hero, the Bishop and Joe Cool.
The home teacher, Jo Cool's Dad--my son--who insists on being called The Brown Dot, Joe Cool, the Bishop, the Young Men president, Phil and the 2nd counselor.

The Brown Dot, Joe Cool and Phil who is Joe Cool's Grandpa.

Phil--who has the disease called "I'm-getting-my-picture-taken-so-I-will-all-of-a-sudden-look-goofy." (I have the same disease. And I also have the I-look-fat-disease for some unknown reason. Cough, cough.) Joe Cool, who does not have the disease, is smiling into the camera.

Joe Cool is the newest member of the Aaronic Priesthood, which he received today. He can now pass the sacrament to the congregation in Sacrament Meeting--a service that I think is so important and what the gospel is all about. The Savior atoned for everyone's sins and we have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven and the sacrament is a part of that process.

It was a great day for us. And look at this young man. I am so proud of him. He is a good boy and a nice one too.

Congratulations to a fine young man.

BUNKO AT THE BISHOP'S HOUSE

We went to the bishop's house tonight for Family Home Evening. They had "Family Home Evening, group two" of the BYU ward coming but only nine could come instead of the eighteen that are in the group. The bishop started off by saying the church likes to instruct, inspire and teach but that they weren't going to do any of that tonight. And then we played Bunko. Both Phil and I won prizes, which we gave away. A package of Oreos and the DVD "Dark Knight." (We have "Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother," with Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman at home--from Netflix--, waiting to be watched and how can you compete with that with Dark Knight?)

It is a nice place to be, in the Bishop's home. His wife is fun and has a darling laugh which she is generous with. They have a HUGE golden Lab, Sonic, that is one of the family. They gave him a large rawhide bone at the beginning of the evening and by the time we left there was only a little nubbins left.

They ordered pizzas from Brick Oven, my favorite restaurant on planet Earth, and then had chips and salsa and after the games, banana splits. They send all the leftover food home with the kids.

They are a good example for me--this bishop, who loves the kids so much and his wife who loves them too. Their life is good, they have had their share of trouble, maybe more than their share but they don't complain. They laugh and joke with each other and you can tell their commitment to the Savior and to each other is deep and real. They strenghten me. Bunko and all.

OUR FUNNY BISHOP

Today we--The Relief Society President and I--along with other's like the Elders Quorum President, High Priests President, etc--were in a meeting with the Bishop. The Relief Society President asked him something he didn't know and so he made a note to find out. He wrote it on his hand. Someone laughed and said, "How seventh grade!" and then someone else said, "It's his redneck palm pilot." The Bishop waggled his fingers and someone else said, "It's his digital redneck palm pilot." And so it goes. Those meetings are all about helping the Ward to run more smoothly with a bit of hilarity mixed in.