What a Surprise! We've Been Released...

Well, this morning, about 1 minute before sacrament meeting began Daniel and I were told that we were going to be released from our callings in the Provo YSA 8th Ward. We were both so surprised. We knew it would be coming sometime soon, but by soon we were thinking by the end of January. We were able to say a few words in church as part of the Christmas program, and I am glad we got to, although I was still so surprised I didn't really know what to say.

Having the opportunity to serve in a singles ward has really been a blessing for us. I loved the members of the ward and how supportive they were of us. I really can't verbalize how we were blessed by being in the ward, but I know we were because of how we have changed over the past year. We didn't have the opportunity to serve for a full year, but our 10 months there were wonderful.

I was able to learn so many wonderful things from the sisters in the two relief societies in the ward. I took a few notes on paper and in my Gospel Principles manual, and I am glad to be able to look at those and remember the lessons I learned and the power I felt.

Daniel and I will be on vacation for the next few weeks (thanks to Christmas break) but starting January 8th we'll be back in our married ward. It will be weird to be back because so much has changed since we left. New people, new bishop, new stake, new name. But it will be fun. I will for sure be glad to have the chance to make more married friends :) And I'm so grateful that I was still able to visit teach and be visit taught by sisters from our married ward over the past year because I know that there will be at least a few people I recognize.

Over all Daniel and I are both grateful and sad to be released. Daniel is happy to have less meetings and less stress from his calling, but sad to leave the people, and the service- he truly loved serving as a counselor. I will miss teaching the marriage and temple prep classes, and I will miss the people in the ward, but I will not miss driving Daniel to meetings at 7 in the morning, or going to church at 830.

It's been a great experience, and we're excited to have new experiences in our married ward :)

Jessica