The List

So, there's a list with the names of all those who will interview with the visiting General Authorities in the search for our new Stake President. As of right now, there are 28 names on the list. Of course, it consists of the names of the the members of the stake presidency, all the Bishop's in the stake, the stake patriarch and the members of the High Council. This will include Del. Then, if inspired to do so, these priesthood leaders may expand this list to include anyone they feel so inspired to include. Over the years and in the various callings where Del has served, he has had the blessing of being included 'on the list' soley because of his current calling. As in the past, it has always been a sweet and spiritual experience for him just to sit with these wonderful men who are sent to choose the priesthood leadership of a stake and to feel of their love as they fulfill their responsibility.
I look at this list and I'm amazed at the depth of goodness that is in this list of men. The list isn't secret; it's the same list given to the visiting G.A.'s every time a new Stake President is needed. Of course, as soon as the announcement was made that we would need a new Stake President, the topic of conversation has been about 'the list'. Some stake members have a 'short' list - some of us others have a fairly long list from which are many worthy men. We have such a strong priesthood representation in our stake - good, worthy and loyal men with firm and devoted testimonies of our Savior.
So, with so many priesthood holders worthy of this calling, how does the Lord determine which man is called?
I then look at the needs of the members of our stake. Do we need a soft spoken, quiet, yet strong example as our leader? Or, do we need a powerful, 'call to repentance' and weeding out leader who will take us forward to the next level of obedience to the Lord's commandments? Or, is there an in-between need of the members of our stake? The need to have confidence in a strong leader who has a tender heart??? I see our current stake presidency as just that scenario. Pres. Dotter is a 'take the bull by the horns' type of guy. Then Pres. Alleman as a teddy bear, soft spoken and mild. Then Jonathan Roberts is our 'in the middle' guy..who meets the needs of each end of the spectrum. Is that what we still need??
I'm so grateful to a Heavenly Father who KNOWS our needs and will call whom He feels will lead and guide the members of this Frisco Stake . I'm grateful Del will just have the opportunity to meet one on one with these great men and be able to feel of their love as they serve our Father in Heaven.
I'm jealous, but look forward to Del coming home and sharing the spiritual experience with me. I've been so blessed in recent weeks to be able to share in the beautiful spiritual experiences of others, who have been so kind to share them with me. They have been both uplifting and inspiring as I hear of the spirit strengthening their testimonies through truth filled moments. And I've had a few of my own that have been sweet and tender but certainly not BLOG material, so I have kept them in their appropriate place. But, as I attend the temple more often, I enjoy these experiences a little more frequently and have begun to be most grateful for the Lord's tender mercies that He extends on a daily basis. He truly does know and love each of us.
So, next week, as Del prepares for his interview, I will pray for him and the other men who get the unique opportunity that is only extended to a lucky few.