Winds of Change: a svithe

If you recall, our ward was gigantic. When we moved in we had around 600 people. In the last year we've probably exceeded 700 people. I have been a primary teacher for the 6 year olds, of which there were 24 total (only 12 in my class). Our primary had over 200 kids in it. Not only was our ward huge, but our Stake is quite large too. There are now 16 wards and 1 branch in our Stake. Carrolton, our neighboring Stake, also has 16 wards.

It was time for a change.

We were a little surprised last Sunday, however, when they announced the wards would be rearranged and a new ward would be created this week. We're in the process of building a new chapel that will be done at the end of the year. I thought that'd be the time we'd split wards and Stakes so there would be enough room for everyone. But no. The time has come; the time is now. The Stake wasn't split, but our ward of 700 has been farmed out to a more manageable situation.

Rumors of the new boundaries were flying this past week. Our Bishop told the Young Men's President that it would be useless to speculate because it would be nothing like anyone would expect. Of course that makes speculations all the more enjoyable. Our mechanic told us that he'd been told by one "in the know" that the new arrangement would be "a test of faith" for many in the Stake. I studied the current ward boundaries coming up with all sorts of possibilities, wondering where we'd end up. My worst (and only) fear was that we'd end up having to drive to Sherman, 45min. north, since there weren't enough buildings here in McKinney. Luckily that wasn't the case.

In the end our Bishop was right, and I was surprised by the outcome. The Stake President said he was actually surprised by the final outcome. They've submitted suggestions to the First Presidency more than once in the past year, but none of them were approved until this one.

I don't mind change for the most part. I figure the Lord's in charge and things will work out how they're supposed to work out. I probably have an advantage over "homebodies" who have lived in the same place and same ward with the same friends their whole lives. In the past 8 years alone I have had membership in 9 wards! Today's change makes the 10th.

It's kind of funny that the group of friends we hang out with are totally split up. One couple is in the new ward. We happened to be a part of a little section that was transplanted into a different existing ward (3rd ward), and the other couple will remain in our old ward (1st ward). In truth, the person I will miss the most is our Relief Society President, but that's how it goes sometimes. A good time to meet new people and get new callings.

All 5 wards in McKinney were affected on some level. Not only that, but an Allen ward was temporarily kicked out of their building and they have to travel to Plano (which is actually a different Stake) until the new chapel is finished in McKinney so the new ward can have a place to meet until then.

It's always interesting to see how different the people are and how the same the doctrine is wherever you go.

Oh, and our new ward meets at 12:30. I guess it's a slight improvement over 2:30, but I don't think we should get too comfortable since they change times in August here. I'm betting at that point we'll end up at the 2:30 slot once again. I haven't had church before 12:30 in 3 or 4 years now. I have vague memories of Sunday afternoon naps...

One day. One day.