For nearly 23 years, our family has lived in the same ward. That all changed today.
Today, our stake held a special meeting to announce that they’ve completely changed the boundaries of all the wards in our stake. And I do mean changed.
As part of that change, the ward I’ve lived in for longer than any other ward I’ve been in since my parents converted 43 years ago was diced up and several portions combined with portions from other wards. Our new ward is Sheran Park Ward.
This has grown to be our ward. It has become our home. For 4 of our children, it’s the only ward they have known. When we moved into this ward, our older 2 children were only 3 years old and 14 months old; for all intents and purposes, it’s the only ward they’ve known, too.
I was in the young men presidency as my first calling, and I watched my boys grow up. I watched them serve missions, get married, and have children.
I served as the elders quorum president for 4 years, the longest term of any president since and longer than at least 5 presidents before me. I saw a lot of my brethren come and go. Only a handful remain.
I’ve been gospel doctrine teacher twice as well as an elders quorum instructor. I’d been Sunday School president for the last 4 years when our ward was disbanded today.
I’ve served in two bishoprics—once as executive secretary and once as ward clerk.
I’ve had dozens of home teaching companions and even more home teaching families.
I’ve helped so many people move into—and out of—our ward. Some I’ve done both for.
I’ve cleaned our chapel countless times (sometimes being the only family to show up). Shoveled the snow off the walks.
I’ve attended so many ward socials. I’ve eaten in ward members houses, and some have eaten in mine.
When we moved in 23 years ago, we felt new. Until today, we were among the few families who’ve been in the ward for many years. We’re now older than some of the couples were when we moved in.
And sure, technically, our ward wasn’t the same as it was when we moved in. We moved into Lethbridge First Ward, but it changed into Coulee Ridge Ward in May 2010. Other than a small section by the Sugar Bowl, however, most of the Lethbridge First Ward was retained in the Coulee Ridge Ward. It really was the same ward.
In 2017, when they changed boundaries again, Coulee Ridge Ward remained largely unchanged.
And now it’s gone. Well, for us anyhow.
Until today, I had felt alone for a long time. I felt like I had no friends, that I didn’t fit in, that I’d been abandoned, that I was in a different place.
But today, today I feel like I lost a piece of myself. Somehow over the last 23 years—despite my faith crisis, despite my rebelliousness, despite my offensiveness—this ward hadn’t just tolerated me with rolled eyes and exasperated sighs; it had embedded itself into my soul, into my heart.
And today, my heart is broken.
And I’m already homesick.
