One Month

It has been one month and a few days since Brooks started his second go round as Bishop. I told him that he was doing this again because he must have not done a very good job the first time and so he was getting a second chance. I was joking.

I think Brooks is really enjoying it so far. His counselors and clerks are the young guys in our ward and they are all great! In some ways it is harder for me but in other ways it is easier than being in a traditional ward. Some weeks I feel like we have moved to another country. The worst part is trying to remember all of the kids names and if I have met them before or not. Brooks can remember them all. It's frustrating to me. I'm recognizing them better but I'm afraid the names will never come quickly to me. When I served in the primary presidency years ago, I never could recall all of the primary kids names with any ease. Every Sunday I take my ward list with me and try to get the names and faces straight. The ward couples are really nice and for the most part they are quite enthusiastic about anything we do. There isn't much inactivity which is nice and different. The Relief Society activities are fun also. This coming Monday, we are having FHE at our house. I'll have to post how it goes. For the next several weeks or as long as it takes, Brooks and I are trying to visit each couple in our ward. With my work schedule we usually only get to about four per week. We are finding that we really have to plan ahead. Most of the kids don't answer their phones. The only way they will respond is through text. Most of the couples both hold jobs and are attending school so it is harder to find them both at home during the times we can come. We are enjoying it and find that it is helpful to get into their homes and visit for a few minutes.

Everyone that has been a Bishop of student wards has told us what fun it is and how much we will enjoy this. I believe them, but first I need to get past my own insecurities to really start having fun.