A Ward Family

Debbie's attitude of being willing to serve was common for members of the Issaquah Fifth Ward who were quick to respond to each successive event. "As the difficulties continued, the ward's capacity to deal with those issues became larger," Debbie says. "I wouldn't change the experiences I have had because in the worst of times, you see the grace of God and the absolute goodness of others."

"The ward has been right there with us," says Mike, Claire's father. "They rise to any occasion."

Although the incidents of 2006 were dramatic, ward members realize that others' struggles are just as real even if they're not as apparent. "Everybody has adversity," Susan Balkman says. "Because it's not always public, like ours was, we have to watch and listen for ways to help others."

The events of five years ago "stretched all of us to a great degree," says former bishop Gary Folkman, "but it was also very unifying."

Today, members of the Issaquah Fifth Ward remain a tight-knit group. "What really made the difference to me was the outpouring of love from the ward as a whole," says Steve Balkman, who now serves as bishop. "When you feel loved, you feel like you can get through most anything, and we definitely felt loved. That feeling is something I will never forget.

"To me it was the gospel of Jesus Christ in action, the way that it's supposed to work."

To read an update on the Balkman, Calhoun, Callans, and Jensen families, visit ensign.lds.org.