My dad was a Bishop for the singles ward and then he was in the bishopric after that. This was about six years. I wanted to share my crazy experience of being in the Young Single Adult Ward at the ages of 9-13.
Here are some stories:
I went on my first date at 9. We were doing a pennies by the inch charity auction. I bid on someone who would take you on a date. I won with 8 dollars and 43 cents. Needless to say, I was one happy gal. He took me to go get ice cream and I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He was like 6'5" too! Also the second bidder that I won against eventually became his wife so I feel bad for stealing their first date.
Another story about pennies by the inch charity. There was a goldfish that was being auctioned off. This lady loved animals and started to out bid everyone. But my mother got a bright idea! She thought it would be a good idea for my dad to eat a goldfish. I think it got up to about 50 dollars. So my dad ate a goldfish.
We had a full blown food fight. I remember trying to hide because I was this 4 ft tall little girl compared to these 6 ft tall boys throwing food. One time they had a whip cream fight in our house. It was so intense that we still have brown stains on the ceiling. But it will always remember that food fight.
We woke up to our tree in the front yard covered in toilet paper. We could not see outside from our window. They also put potato starch in the yard but barely anything. It was the coolest thing to witness as a kid but even since that happened I begged my mom if I could throw toilet paper in someone's tree. Sadly, I have not yet done it.
It was a tradition almost every Sunday my mother would bake/cook these huge meals and feed the college kids each week. We would have about 20 to 30 come and eat and play games. I remember one time we were playing games downstairs and one of the students broke a chair. I looked him straight in the eye and said "That is my grandpa's chair who died recently." I made that poor guy feel so bad that he begged my parents if he could get them a new one. Luckily, my parents convinced him that it wasn't that bad.
I remember my Sunday school teacher. Her name was Maddy and she would make us fudge all the time. She let us talk about the most random stuff and we knew that she truly cared for us.
I had some good memories during this time. The Lord knows what is truly best for us. My parents grew and became even more loving and caring. I was still awkward but I had a lot of "siblings" to talk to and have fun with. The singles ward adults took care of me and loved me. Heavenly Father knew that I would be so loved and cared for. Most of the time, I have fond memories of everything.
I still made a lasting friend. She is an "adopted" sister. She cggyt5ne5u6eu6wt 7ame to my games in highschool, my homecoming from mission, my baby shower and many other things. She has taught me so much. I still call her my sister.
Even with all the ups and downs,having this experience has made me a better person. I will always remember the good things that happened during this time. I am grateful for all the kindness of the people and the small things I learned along the way.
Have hope. Stay strong and follow Christ.
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