My Church, or Yours?

For the past year, Shawn has served on the High Council and attends another ward in our stake, instead of attending church with us, in our ward.  Since this began, Shawn and I have teased back and forth about him attending "his church"  and me attending mine.  This past Sunday I realized that our "clever banter", has been confusing Gavin.

Gavin approached me first thing to ask me his regular Sunday morning question.

"Do I HAVE to go to church today?" 

"Yes" I respond as usual.  "Guess what though?" I say to Gavin.  "Daddy will be coming with us, because it is ward conference today and all the High Council men and Stake leaders attend our ward.."

"What?" asks Gavin quizzically.  "But I wanted to go with Daddy to his church. Not have him come to yours." responds Gavin

I cringe a little realizing my mistake, and noting the pronouns in his sentence.

"Well, Daddy's church is our church, it is just at a different time."  I try to explain. "Because all the people who want to go to our church can't fit into the building at the same time, they have assigned each family a group and a time for each group.  The groups are called wards."  Thinking I have clarified the situation, I move into the other room.

Gavin follows asking "Well, Dad is in our family, and he doesn't go at our time."

Oh yeah, there is that.  I consider. This explanation is going to get more complicated.  I really don't want to resort to the "because that is the way it is" or "because I said so."  I sigh.

As though on cue, in steps Shawn from his early meeting.  Gavin quickly brings him up to speed on the issue of who's ward he wants to attend.

Shawn smiles at me, grabs a pencil and paper, and calls Gavin to the counter to diagram the organization of the church.  Explaining how people serve in callings to help keep the church organized and running.

As Shawn finishes he looks at me as though to say "And that is how it is done." and smirks.

Then Gavin, studying the paper, says "Okay.....but Dad?  Can I go with you to your church today?"