An Ode to the Eaton Ward

Sunday morning the Eaton Ward, that we were members of, was dissolved and my heart has been so very heavy. It oftentimes doesn’t take too long when you are a member of our Church, to be involved in some sort of realignment or change in your ward boundaries. I’ve experienced many of them in my life but this was the hardest one I’ve ever been a part of.

Because of Mark’s calling, we have been aware of the changes that were coming since March. And it has worn heavy on both of us. Because of the ward’s boundaries we felt confident that we would be cut off from the majority of our ward, since we were located on the edge of the boundary in a corner. We were devastated.

The Eaton Ward has been a great place of healing for me personally, but also for our family as a whole. It was not perfect – and no place is – but it was truly filled with some of the most genuinely Christlike individuals and families that I have ever had the privilege of calling friends.

From the moment we walked into the doors our very first week three years ago, it felt like home. We immediately felt so loved and taken in. Our kids have been surrounded by wonderful friends and leaders who have truly loved them. They feel like they belong and it has been the sweetest thing to observe in my children.

While this ward was a great stretching place for me with some of the experiences I have had to serve there, I will always remember it with the greatest joy. I am amazed by the women and men who have been in this ward. They work hard. This was not a casual ward. People came and participated because they love Jesus and wanted to serve Him. Often times serving in multiple demanding callings yet always having time to minister to individuals.

There are so many things I want to remember, but the biggest thing is that the Eaton Ward for me was more than a ward, it was a family. A “ward family” is a term we hear often, but in my experience, it is (sadly) seldom genuine. People have their own families or friendships to rely on and so the ward is usually further down on the list. But from what I have observed in the Eaton Ward – it is true family. I cannot tell you what a comfort it has been to know that there was a long list of individuals and families I knew I could call in a heartbeat if and when a need arose for me or my family. And it was beautiful to be that person for others as well. I loved it. There was LOVE in this ward family.

I know people will say that just because lines are redrawn doesn’t me relationships have to stop. But I guess I am enough of a realist to know that it will never be the same. It is different when you are not seeing one another on a weekly basis (oftentimes more!). Our ward was a part of a major realignment in our area and got split into three different wards and into two different stakes. On top of that, our boundaries were large, across six different towns and covering nearly an hour distance, so the chances of bumping into someone in every day life is not high.

My heart is hurting. I’ve been crying nearly every Sunday for weeks – and I don’t love public crying so I have felt completely unhinged lately. But change is hard and it is so hard to leave something that has been so very good to you.

We are trying to think positively about the new relationships we get to develop, but right now, I am also just giving myself time to be sad about the loss. Because that is what it is feeling like. And making all the plans and resolutions to be really intentional about maintaining relationships despite this change.

Eaton Ward – I will love you always. Thank you for being so very good to me and my family.

I came across this quote this week which was just what my heart needed:

“In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, who name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.

The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions – temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.” – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf –