Round Two...Literally

Today, we went to the Warwick Ward (my home ward). We received a bit of information that some things were changing in the leadership. We informed the bishopric of Shaun's absence last night at the party and I informed my primary presidency that I too would be gone. Of course, there were members of our ward that know my dad from working with him in the Stake and are currently High Council members. They all nodded knowingly of why we wouldn't be there.
Last Monday, mom had brought something up. She asked dad if he was going to tell us. Dad of course said, "Huh? I don't know what you're talking about." So after about half an hour of us prodding and begging for him to tell us, he just told us something to shut us up. He told us that my grandpa had a blood clot in his leg from the trip to China and that he would be ok. He just needed to rest and take some medication for it. Well, obviously, I'm not an idiot. That's not what mom was talking about. But we left it at that and we let it go for the rest of the week. Finally, on Friday night, mom brought it up again. Once again, dad laughed and blew it off by saying he had no idea what she was talking about. So, I stomped my foot and yelled, "DAD! You have to tell us now. Obviously somethings going on. Mom isn't making it up." Shaun guessed, "You're the new Bishop of the ward!" Dad laughed and mom said, "Yup!" At first, I thought it was a sick joke they were playing on us. Dad had already served as the Bishop for the same ward almost 15 years ago. Since then, he served in the Stake presidency and was released about 18 months ago. So, this would be "Round Two" for him. Even though its the same calling in the same ward, he has grown and changed over the past 10 years since he's been released as Bishop the first time around. It will be different for him and our family. For one, us girls don't live at home anymore. He won't have the same responsibilites to his family that he once had as Bishop before. For two, the ward has changed too. People have moved out and new people have moved in. Only about half the ward are the original members since my dad last served as Bishop. When dad finally got released from the Stake presidency over a year ago, I thought, "Well, now he'll have more time on his hands and he can be a little more relaxed." Although he had less meetings to go to and less traveling to do, he was not as relaxed as I thought he would be. I guess with a calling like that, you don't just cut ties with the people in the stake. He still called individuals in the stake to check on them and see how they were doing. He still served them when they needed help. He still thought about them. I would still find him by the fireplace in the dark living room at night deep in thought. His brow would be creased with worry for members in the stake; the people that he still deeply cared for and grew to love very much. That is why I admire my dad. I think he's one of a kind. That was more evident to me today. Members that were new to the ward when dad was first called to be Bishop relayed stories to me of how he touched their lives and caused their faith to strengthen allowing them to still be active after 10+ years. I too have learned alot from my dad through his example. His love for serving those around him shows. He really cares about the people around him and he always knows the right thing to say when we need to hear it the most. And the most important thing, he makes sure that we feel the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior.
Right now in primary, we are preparing to sing for Father's Day in Sacrament. The song I chose was "My Dad." That song sums up how I feel about my dad. "It's plain to see, I want to be, like him in every way." If only I were so lucky to be just like him. All I can do is to keep trying.