Callings in the Church

 My Patriarchal Blessing says that I will be called to work with the women of the church and with the young women.  It doesn't say anything about children or primary.

It has been a blessing to serve as Young Women's President in the Waller Ward (Katy Stake) back in the mid-nineties, and as Relief Society President three times!  I first served in the Waller Ward (Katy Stake) for about 2.5 years, then in Silver Pines (Cypress Stake) for almost five years, and then the Crighton Ward (Conroe Stake) for almost three years.   I am currently serving as First Counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency for the Conroe Stake, and I love working with the sisters.

I was released as Young Women's President in 1998, about the time I went to Las Vegas to take out my endowment,  Six months later, my husband joined the church, and then I was called to be the Relief Society President.   Jackie Hoyt was the president, and she was pregnant with Boy #4.  I woke up in the middle of my sleep one night and KNEW that I was going to be called.  When Steve Cook called me in to extend the calling, I was able to tell him I had already had the confirmation I needed.   (Counselors were:    and secretary was Phyllis Hall.  In 2002 Phyllis and I both lost our jobs, and we set out to get into every sister's home to visit.  By the time I was released, we had visited over 75!)

In 2003, we moved from our home in Fairfield to live in the apartment at the golf course.  That threw us into the Silver Pines Ward.  For two years I served as the pianist in Primary with LeOra Clements as the chorister.  Later I was called to be a counselor in the Relief Society.  One day I was talking to Carlie Arntsen in the chapel before sacrament meeting started.  She was telling me about how bad her health was and that her doctor had told her she needed to reduce stress.   She had already talked to the bishop about being released, and as she shared that with me, I had an overwhelming sensation that I would be called.  That particular Sunday was a Fast Sunday.   I got up to bear my testimony, and unknown to me, my name had been on the "short list" of possible RSPs.  Carl Pierce told me that in bishopric meeting that morning, Carl had said, "If Sister Pierce gets up to bear her testimony today, that's enough for me."  After sacrament meeting that day, I was called into the bishop's office, and the call extended.  (Counselors were Jane Packer and Dayna Buhanan.)

In March of 2016 Eddie and I were Ma and Pa on Trek in the Cypress Stake, but in 2011, we had partially moved to Conroe.  We had a mobile home on Roger Koeppe's property, and I was spending half of my time out there.  Occasionally I would go to church in Conroe, but we couldn't switch our records until after Trek.    Once Trek was over, we moved our records and started attending Conroe 1, I believe, which was in the Spring Stake.   A new stake center was being built off of Ed Kharbat and Loop 336 South, and in October we attended Stake Conference there, and a new stake and new ward were formed.  We were now in the Conroe Stake and the Crighton Ward.  Deanne Lentini was the Relief Society President for about a year.   During the cleanup of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Brother Lentini told us he hoped they'd be moving to Utah soon.  I realized that meant we'd need a new Relief Society President.  He must have seen the expression on my face, and he said, "Don't worry.  It won't be you.  The bishop (d) always picks his young friends to serve with him."  I thought about that, and it made sense, so I put it in the back of my mind.  Well, in October 2017, I was on my way to the parking lot, when Lyle Robertson, a counselor in the bishopric, stopped me and asked me to come back in.  I looked up at him and said, "You've got to be kidding me."  He just smiled.  On the way to the bishop's office, I saw Eddie in the hallway headed that way.  I told him, "This better be for you," but he smiled and said he didn't think so.  Inside the office with Bishop Read, Lyle Robertson, and Dan Naegle (I believe) we all engaged in pleasant small talk until the bishop extended the call.  I just sat there, and then put my head down in my hands.  Eddie told me later he thought I was going to cry.  It was just that I felt overwhelmed.  I knew what serving as RS President meant and I really didn't want to do it again.  After all, I was almost 70.  Wasn't there someone else?  Apparently the Lord wanted me, and on the morning I was sustained, I heard voices behind me in the chapel say, "YES!" when my name was called.  They practically promised I'd only serve two years, but by the time my two years was coming to an end, we were hit with Covid and everything changed.   The ward had split and some of our members went to Conroe 2 (Garzas, Linns, Kershners, Reads, and Dilly Moreno).   Our new bishop was Mike Allen and I served with him until October 2020. 

Choosing counselors was crazy.  I went through the ward directory and chose two from total inspiration.  I hadn't met either one of them.  Sierra Jacox and Camila Allen.   More on that later!  (Later I had Lea Hutchins)

Kathi Nielson was our Stake Relief Society President, and one day in maybe August/September 2020, she called and invited me for lunch.  I figured she was just trying to get to know all of the ward relief society presidents.  When she invited me for a second lunch, Eddie cautioned me that she might be looking for a counselor.  She wanted to read a copy of my book, and I figured if she knew about my sordid past, she'd just keep going.   She read it, we talked about it, and the next thing I knew, President Goodman was calling to see if he could come by the house that week to talk to us.  Hmmm.  Very suspicious.  We scheduled a day and time, and I started praying about it.  One night in my prayers, I got the distinct feeling he was calling me to replace Melanie Bass because she had been a counselor in the previous presidency, and I figured it was time for a change.  Well, when President Goodman extended the call, it was as first counselor, replacing Cami Ford.  Cami was being called to Just Serve Coordinator and Melanie was being called to serve with the special meetings (I can't remember the name right now!)

I accepted the call although I was a little apprehensive about a new calling AND I had grown to love the sisters of my ward so much that I hated to leave them.  My wise sister-in-law, Sharon Pierce, told me I wasn't leaving my ward sisters, but this would give me even more sisters to meet and love.  I loved that.

I called Bishop Allen that night and told him I'd accepted the call.  He was shocked.  He didn't know a call was being extended.  He said months ago they were considering me, but he didn't think it had gone any further than that.  Well, too bad, Bishop.  Time for a new RSP.  He asked for suggestions, and I told him Edrea Robertson would be great.  Funny thing is that she was one of my counselors, and I was always telling her, "When you get called, you'll need to know how to do this."  

The second counselor was Brenda Jones.  I'd never met her, never even heard of her until we were called.  I grew to love her quickly because the three of us had such a good time together in our meetings.