Summary: In this podcast, Kurt interviews two women with the unofficial leadership calling of Bishop’s Wife.<br> Sister Jill Walker<br> First he speaks with Jill Walker, the wife of Bishop Jason Walker of Phoenix, Arizona. Bishop Walker has been serving for about seven months. They have been married for 27 years, have three children, and have lived in Phoenix for seven years.<br> <br> The Walker family<br> Highlights<br> 4:00 Introduction with Bishop Jason Walker<br> 8:50 Called as bishop and then called again when ward boundaries were changed<br> 9:45 Called shortly after a calling to the high council<br> 10:45 Expectations she had, surprised and confused by new emotions such as feeling jealous of his time away<br> 13:00 Journaled about her emotions but didn’t talk to anyone<br> 13:50 The loneliness of not being able to talk about what he has been doing<br> 14:20 Thoughts that she couldn’t burden him further with trivial family things when he had so many obvious burdens from his calling added to the sense of loneliness<br> Principles of Leadership as the Bishop’s Wife<br> <br> <br> * 16:25 Journal<br> * 18:25 Find ways to help–helps with loneliness<br> * 20:00 Pray–for your husband and for comfort for yourself<br> * 21:20 Spend time together–go with him to anything that is appropriate, but also on intentional dates, to the store, any moment possible<br> * 23:25 Focus on the positive–look for the blessings and personal growth<br> <br> 24:55 Started sharing whatever spiritual moments they can, which has helped their partnership<br> 26:30 She has learned to pay more attention to everyone and be more compassionate<br> Sister Kasandra Merrill<br> Next, Kurt speaks with Kasandra Merrill, wife of Bishop Scott Merrill of Mesa, Arizona. They both grew up in Mesa and have lived in the same ward since they were married. He has been serving as bishop for over four years. Kasandra comes from a large mixed family of 12 children, including step-siblings, and she and Scott have been married 24 years and have seven children.<br> <br> The Merrill family<br> Highlights<br> 30:30 She saw his calling coming but he did not<br> 31:10 The circumstances in their family when he was called: five teenagers who then married or went on missions since his call, plus his busy job and she was in school full time<br> 33:00 The first year was the most difficult for them to understand each other and each other’s roles because they approach life differently<br> 34:00 She could sense the pain of ward members through him, but felt totally alone and unable to share her burdens with anyone<br> 35:10 She was handling and carrying some heavy difficulties with their children all alone<br> 37:00 She felt that he had the mantle of the calling to support him, while she had nothing<br> 37:45 Figured out together how to handle their loneliness together and to share their burdens<br> 38:40 Realized she has angels watching over and strengthening her, too<br> 39:00 They were both called in for his calling as bishop<br> 40:00 They may not have it all together but they are together<br> 41:15 Allowed herself to not parent alone, or to own her children’s mistakes as hers<br> 42:10 Their children all seemed to have had a positive experience with their dad as the bishop, but he let them know that if they wanted to talk to someone else they could go to the stake president<br> 44:00 Don’t dwell on the negative<br> 44:50 Living in a “glass house”<br> 46:00 Her husband has been very private as bishop; she could sense anger and heartbreak but he didn’t/couldn’t share<br> 48:05 Keeping their struggles open instead of private<br> 48:45 Son came home early from his mission and they were open about everything with the ward, eliminating possible shame<br> 50:15 Daughter attempted suicide and they were open about that too,
