Dear Sugar 6th Ward YW,
I’m BACK! You just can’t get rid of me can you? Sister Stewart has caused quite a raucous in our ward hasn’t she? You can blame her for all of this – Those YW stake leaders figured out what we had here in our ward and decided we had to share her with all of the YW in our stake!
Just so you all know, I am just as sad as the rest of you all that she and the rest of your previous leaders time to serve you was up. I think I had more tears than some of you on Sunday over this. 😉 I can genuinely say I love Sister Stewart. I love Sister Pingry. I love Sister Wise. I love Sister Angel. I love Sister Michaelson. I love Sister Schmitt. It’s true they weren’t my YW leaders, but they are my friends. I know just how special they each are and how much good was done because of their service to each of you! I like how Sister Stewart put it to the laurels on Sunday. She told them they would always be a piece of her, and that hopefully (and we know this is true) she will always be a piece of you girls. You have made special & fun memories together – NEVER to be forgotten, but to be treasured in your hearts always. I still remember and love my Young Women leaders from over 25 years ago. I remember how certain leaders had such a big impact on me at certain times in my life when I needed them. I remember the love and acceptance I felt and the confidence they gave to me to have Christ’s image in my countenance. I remember the carefully written notes delivered to my mailbox and read in a great time of need. The Young Women Program is amazing and I have a testimony of the far reaching goodness it offers to the world as you young women turn into young college students, missionaries – eventually mothers who know how to stand for truth and righteousness and also carry values of faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice & accountability, good works, integrity and virtue. You truly are a bright light in a darkened world and your influence will have the power and potential to ripple throughout the future world if you allow it too!
Let’s just get the elephant out of the room. None of us would have expected me to be the YW president. It’s true!! I was beyond shocked when the Bishop called me into his office and extended the invitation. I wasn’t prepared for this ladies! In my mind I was going into his office wishing and hoping to get a call to be one of your Sunday School Teachers. As the bishop talked I had lots of thoughts roll through my mind – many of which you may have also had about me? Feelings of inadequacy, feelings of being overwhelmed, feelings of worry that so many other amazing women could and would surely do a better job, feelings of being sad that I will get to go to many meetings and be away from my cute family and husband. But then I remembered being in ward council a week before and hearing Bishop Andrews speak of you. He loves you – he cares deeply about what happens to you now and your future. I support Him and agree with him and know he is the Lord’s servant to lead all of us at this time and remind us to keep our covenants so we will have true happiness. Because of this, I realized if the bishop called me in and asked me to the clean toilets, I would do it! I am willing to do anything that Jesus Christ calls me to do through his servant, our bishop. Even though it is daunting, I am so completely excited!!! I have loved each of you girls since I served you in Primary a few years ago. You have been a piece of my heart for all the years I have lived in our ward. I have LOVED watching you grow, develop, and mature into the beautiful daughters of God you each are. I have learned from your testimonies as you’ve shared them. I look forward to spending time with you at this time in your lives. I want you to know I love each of you, I look at you and marvel at the good you do. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has brought me much joy and carried me through some dark days too. I know that we can do anything through Christ the Lord who strengths us. We are so blessed. The Lord loves us. We are going to have a blast together. We have amazing new leaders who I know are to the ones to be here and bless your lives at this impressionable time. Sister Baggett, Sister Norman, Sister Lerwill, Sister Robinson, Sister Hamblin, Sister Ricks, and on Sunday there will be another added to this list – they each are ready to love and support you. Lean on them, give them your respect, acknowledge and look for ways they will strengthen your testimony. Watch their example of how they keep their covenants and how they find lasting happiness in their lives. They are amazing women – that were once in the same spot you are. They are each a standing beacon to you of what you have the potential to become. They have used the YW values to bless their lives and continue to do so as they stand for Truth and righteousness in a world of shifting values.
“Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him” – it’s our focus this year. As we do so, we will be blessed and protected from Satan’s influence. Let’s stay strong and let’s learn from and lean on each other.
Much Love,
Sister Parker