We've Been Realigned

Yesterday there was a big change up in the Oxnard wards.  Many of the people we were coming to know and love will no longer be in our ward -- nor will they even be meeting in the same church building.  I am glad we had the chance to get to know some of these lovely people, even though it was only for a short time:  Skip and Julie Johnson, Susie Davis (from Rupert), Allyn and Trisha Sisson, Linda Foster, the Ashtons (senior couple now at the MTC, to serve in South America).  All awesome people.  We will miss seeing them and getting to know them better.  We had dinner twice at the Sisson's.  We went to our first (and perhaps last) Empty Nesters FHE at Susie Davis'. Our first week here we had ice cream at the Johnson's (they are now in Nevada where Skip is undergoing cancer treatment.  We heard just today that he is responding really well and may not have to be gone as long as originally thought.  Good news).  Sister Foster was one of the first people to greet us very warmly our first Sunday here in Oxnard.  We have subsequently learned that she has many heartaches.  Her husband died quite quickly from cancer three months ago.  Her four children are inactive.  One daughter has been here and has played the most gorgeous prelude music for our sacrament meetings -- very talented.  She met a non-member online and is moving to Tennessee to marry him.  Linda is a professionally trained opera singer and is not shy to share her voice :) You can hear her harmonize -- usually tenor sung an octave above, but sometimes other variations -- when we sing the hymns in sacrament meeting.  I will miss all these wonderful people.  But I know the Lord's hand is in this, and in the long run this will be a good thing.  Much of our 2nd Ward has been reassigned/realigned to two other wards.  The 4th ward, which was "discontinued," has completely "moved" into the 2nd ward.  Interesting.  Bishop Sweet, our bishop, lost nearly all his leadership -- the ward will have to be totally reorganized.  He lost both counselors, some clerks (not sure which all), Elder's quorum president, and on and on.  Change is often hard, but usually good.  Elder and Sister Blue and Elder and Sister Mecham are now both assigned to the 2nd ward.  :)

Brother Bob Edwards is a high counselor in our stake.  Elder Bob Edwards volunteers in the mission office and takes care of all the baptism records. (Same gentleman:)  Additionally, he works in the Los Angeles Temple (once a week, I think).  He is also our landlord, sort of.  Anyway, we have an "in" to ward/stake happenings.  He is a great source of information, and we get it properly -- not prior to when it should be released.  He is 70ish -- was telling us about his 50 mile bike ride the other day.  I'll have to get his picture and post it.