Benjamin's New calling February 23rd

The morning of the last day of trek Benjamin was asked to come in for an interview with Elder Gay who is in the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Lythgoe an area Seventy.  He went home and showered. He was asked to come with three names that he could recommend for the next Stake President.  He had a heartwarming and introspect interview. He was asked what he learned most when he was a Bishop, he said he had no idea of the under current of love and service in the ward. He got to see upclose all the private acts of goodness.  One of the names he recommended was his brother, Scott. He said full disclosure the next name I'm going to give you is my brother. Then they asked him what makes your brother a good recommendation? He said he understands the operation of things and makes them run smoothly and he is guided by the Spirit. Benjamin said he got emotional talking about his brothers best qualities. After the interview he came back to the Trek campsite. Benjamin then told Scott who was also helping at track that he recommended him. Scott laughed and said well you don't have to worry about being called because they're not going to call somebody who only recommends their family ☺️

Trek ended at 11 am. Got sweaty Weand dirty cleaning up and left the Trek campsite at 1:30. We got ice cream in Benson at 2:00 and got a call at 2:30 on our drive home from President Lewis asking us to come to the Church as soon as possible. We explained we were coming home from Trek and asked if he would like us there quick and dirty or late and clean? They said late and clean. Pheww we got to shower.

When we got to the interview, I was interviewed first. They asked me if Benjamin was a good husband and if he treated his family right. They asked me if I had any doctrinal questions or concerns. I explained that I don't know everything but I have faith that it'll all work out in the end and it's line upon line with understanding. They then called Benjamin in with me and extended the call of second counselor in the stake presidency. We were so relieved it wasn't president!!! They told us that during the previous interviews they learned that we were a very respected couple in the stake and then Elder Gay corrected and said no I would say they are a very beloved couple in the stake. It was a very generous and kind moment.

The next morning we attended a training session before Stake conference at 8 a.m. It was great to learn of the other presidency members all of whom speak Spanish. President Judd Curtis and first counselor Lois Figueroa. At Stake conference the previous Stake presidency bore thier testimonies and the old Stake Presidency as well as Sister Curtis and Sister Lewis. President Curtis also bore his testimony in Spanish. I could see the Spanish members who had headsets on take them off smile and get very excited that the new Stake President could speak directly to them.

After the meeting the new Stake presidency were set apart. Benjamin was set apart by Elder Gay. Benjamin felt like Elder Gay almost had his patriarchal blessing in his hand and quoted it directly. There  were many similarities and confirmations to Benjamin that these leaders were called of God.  Elder Gay and Elder Lythgoe were both very excited to meet Benjamin's brother Scott. Scott and Benjamin hugged after the blessing which lasted for quite some time, there were many tears in the room.

It was a very beautiful and spiritually draining weekend ♥️