Change is Inevitable

Life is full of change.  There's not much we can do about it.  Some things, though, stay the same.  Usually.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my congregation is called a ward. In my church, we don't church-hop if we don't like the bishop (equivalent to a pastor) or other members. It is a geographical area that the only way to attend a different ward is to either move or have boundary changes.  Ward members are our neighbors, children's playmates, and friends.  My mom has lived in the same ward since it was created in 1980.  Granted, boundaries have changed over the years, but by and large, she goes to church with the same people that she has been going with for the past 32 years.

When we first moved to our little corner of the Salt Lake valley ten years ago this week, the population was booming.  Ward boundaries would change on an average of 6-8 months.  It was the "norm" for us and we got used to having new ward members and a new bishop that often.  Then, as the lots in our part of the development were built out, about seven years ago, we became "land locked."  Other wards in our area were prone to boundary changes but our little ward was stable.  It was nice.  No fear of change. 

Bishops in the LDS Church are lay leaders and tend to stay in the position (or "called") for about five years at a time.  Some go longer, others not as long, all depending on circumstances. My bishop, "BB" has been serving for a little over five years.  I've gotten to know him quite well in those five years.  I figured that he'd be released and a new bishop would be called at some point in the next few months but I really hoped it wouldn't happen until my missionary came home from Mexico in...  51 days.

It was not to be.

Not only was BB released, but our ward underwent some radical changes this past weekend and now I'm not even in the same ward anymore--I've moved to a different one. Granted, 2/3 of my ward family is coming with me and those that we are joining were in my ward prior to being "landlocked" so it's not like I won't know anyone...

It's still hard, though.  I'm leaving behind so many good friends, including BB and his sweet wife.  *teary sigh*

I'm not complaining.  Change is a part of life and I know there will come a day in the near future where I'll feel just as comfortable in my new ward as I did in the old one.

Then they'll probably change it again.  *wry chuckle*