Big announcement...

NO I'm not pregnant; I know that's what you all thought about.

Last week or so, we received an email from the bishopric encouraging everybody in the ward to attend this 5th Sunday combined Relief Society and Priesthood meeting: an important announcement will be made.

We were all excited/curious about that BIG announcement. But I don't think anybody expected it to be that way.

We usually get to Church 30 min early because of Juri's Elders' Quorum meeting. As I was waiting in the Foyer, I saw the Brussels 1 (french) ward coming out of their sacrament meeting with a big smile on their face. I didn't think much of it at the time.  

At 1pm, we all gathered in the chapel and that's when the big news broke. The bishopric and the stake committee were present. The Stake president announced that after much thought and praying and all they've decided to split the Brussels International ward in 2 and join the Brussels 1 and Brussels 2 wards (which are french speaking). However, we will still be able to worship in our own language (English). The plan is that there will be french AND english classes, but it will be a combined sacrament meeting with simultaneous translation and headsets for everybody. 

The little details are not figured out yet. All this will be effective as of the first Sunday of January 2008. 

They've tried to implement it a few years ago, but failed. The key was to let people worship in their 'native' language. 

This came as a chock to all of us; we (sisters) shed many tears. Personally, I was really sad ,not much about the language issue, but more because I'll miss the families that are going to the other ward. I'm going to miss our unity, the wonderful spirit of our international ward. We've tried so hard to strengthening our relationships (because of the high turnover) by organizing great activities. It is truly an amazing ward, even visitors and short-term members noticed it. We're all expats and understand each other so well and supporting each other overcoming the trials of living in a foreign country. 

And because of this great spirit, we are split in two in order to support and hopefully help the local members through our examples and strength. 

We were told that they've broke the news to the other ward in the morning and they were all very excited and happy about this good news. 

On the other hand, in our ward there was a lot of sadness and 'mourning', mostly I think because we'll be separated from our very good friends/families. This ward had been our only family for all of us. The bishop asked us to join for a fast this Sunday about this new change. 

At the end of this year, we will all be released from our callings. On December 13th is our annual Christmas party, and I think it will be an emotional one and also a BIG one.

Today, we'll have our monthly Lunch Bunch activity (for the sisters) at noon. I think they will be a lot of talking about this coming change. 

I know that for a lot of you out there might think that it's not a big deal, that ward splitting and all is not an extraordinary event and big deal, but if you've known our ward, you might understand. 

Things will be soooo different. The news was brought to the youth after us, and they were extremely sad. Can you imagine telling a teenager this kind of news. Our youth was so tight.

Anyway, with time it'll get better, hopefully.