#change

(Jake and Ali when we moved here in front of our ward building)

Big changes in our ward boundaries.  BIG.  As in we lost 250 ward members.  As in our ward split into 3 different wards.  As in our youth program SHRUNK.  As in Jake was one of 10 Deacons and he is now one of 2.

Issaquah 5th ward members are now either a part of Robinswood ward, Highlands ward (us), or part of a brand new ward: Klahanie. 

Some interesting (unofficial) facts about the Highlands ward:

• We are some of the oldest people in the ward now.  No joke.  
• There are about 11 or 12 pregnant ladies and they all stayed in our ward.
• 2 children out of the 30+ in our nurseries left to the other wards.  Drew, along with about 8 others, will be joining the ranks in the next few months.
• Roughly 24% of the Highlands ward members own their home.  Everyone else is renting.
• The boundaries are extremely small--basically the Highlands and one other road.

Along with those changes, Steve was released from the Bishopric (Welcome back to the bench!) and called as the 2nd counselor in YM/Deacon's Quorum Advisor/Scoutmaster.  He and Jake and the other deacon are really excited about it.  And every other guy in the ward is really excited that they aren't the Scoutmaster.

Even though we will dearly miss those 250 people, and we might wonder how our young and small ward will do, change is good.  Especially inspired change.  I have no doubt that the message Heavenly Father wants me most to hear is, "Don't worry.  I've got this."