You know the saying 'It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission' well; it applies in this post. Sheri would never want me to do this, so I'll let her read it after it goes out, and hope she's ok with it...
I have been privileged enough to watch my wife serve in many different positions in the Church over the past 11+ years. The Lord has seen fit to use her talents as a Primary Teacher, Primary Presidency Counselor, Relief Society Enrichment Leader, Relief Society Presidency Counselor, Relief Society President, and Gospel Doctrine Teacher, just to name a few... All have presented their challenges and growth opportunities, but none have been as all consuming as her current calling of RS President.
The Ward we live in is HUGE! Seating goes all the way back to the stage at every sacrament meeting. Sheri has responsibility for about 230 Sisters, many of whom are elderly and in great need. When she received her call, I was extended a release from the Elders Quorum Presidency, so that I could better support her. At the time I thought "C'mon I can do both... this RS thing can't be that time consuming", but boy was I wrong.
The first few months of her calling were pretty brutal, and I have to confess that I wasn't very supportive. I was a jealous husband who couldn't understand why the Church demanded soooo much of her time. But, once I got involved and started helping her with her weekly e-mails, planning and decorating for activities, and other things I started to realize what a blessing she is in the lives of the Sisters of our Ward. They are in love with her, and she has somehow been able to reach out to each Sister, and made her feel a part of a huge Sisterhood family. When we moved here, RS activities would have about 30 Sisters in attendance. At the last RS Enrichment night, there were over 100.
One of the reasons for the dramatic increase in attendance is Sheri's ability to create an environment that the Sisters want to be a part of; an environment that is both physically, and spiritually attractive. Over the years, she has accumulated a garage full of beautiful decorations that she uses to transform an ordinary old church gym into a very inviting and comfortable setting.
Her critics (mostly a few men in the ward) will say she overdoes everything. That she doesn't have to go to such great lengths with the decorating and making everything just right to achieve the same results. But I have to disagree. It's because she and her counselors go to such great lengths that the Sisters won't miss the activities. They know it will be a wonderful evening of fun, friendship, Sisterhood, and sharing.
Sheri was asked once to tone things down a bit, because whomever was called to be the next RS President would never be able to live up to the expectations she was setting. I was sooo proud of her reply. She said "So are you asking me to bury my talents? If the Lord were going to come to your house for Dinner, wouldn't you put on the very best Dinner you possibly could? Then why would you want me to do any less for the Sisters of our Ward? I believe they deserve my very best efforts".
Sheri's "very best efforts" are seldom rewarded publicly, but the e-mails and thank you notes she gets are beyond precious, they are priceless. Sisters write to her and say "I had so much fun last night I could have stayed there all night long visiting and laughing with the Sisters" or "When I saw how beautifully everything was decorated I felt like a Princess, no one has ever done anything like that for me" or "Thank you for last night, I felt so pampered, and didn't want to go back to my crazy house and kids"... and I could go on and on...
Sheri definitely could not put these events on by herself, and watching the whole event come together with all the help is one of the most amazing parts of the process. It is very evident that as the Sisters, and family members come together to put these events on, friendships are formed, and eternal bonds are built. This is especially true with her family that always shows up to help. No matter if we've lived in Boise, Chicago, or here... they will make the trip to help, and be a part of these special occasions. A special thanks to Sandra, Judy, Sara, Lillian and many others for all you have done for and with her over the years.
Below is a compilation of a few of the events she has either put on, or decorated for over the past few years.
I appreciate the great example Sheri is to me. I have met few people who when called to serve in the church, take on the stewardships and responsibilities with the dedication and energy that she does. She truly serves the Lord with all her "heart, might, mind, and strength". I love and appreciate her more than I can say! Thanks my Love! GREAT JOB! and KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Hang on - there is someone at the door... Sorry - I'm back - that was the ManCard enforcement unit, and after having said all that - my ManCard has officially been revoked! Sad Sad Day for me...
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2 comments:
That was really nice Joe. Sheri is pretty gifted. I apprecite her example. I liked the last photo on the video. Good one to end with. Like mother, like daughter. Everything you said about Sheri reminds me of the way Sandra served in Moscow while we lived there. I never wanted to miss a R.S. event that Sandra was involved in. Man, they were awesome. So I can imagine what the events Sheri puts together are like.
Sheri is very talented. I admire anyone who can do floral arrangements and eyebrows!!!!!!!
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