Being Called Into The BYU Singles Ward Bishopric

I'm not sure that I will ever bear my testimony again!

Bishop Shelley called this morning and asked me to go see the Stake President.  When I got up there I recognized a couple of the men in the ward.  Ideas started going through my mind; a calling to a position in one of the elder's quorums?  an assistant ward clerk?  what?

As I went in to talk with one of the counselors, the first question he asked me was, "Have you impressed your bishop?"  That seemed an odd question and I really couldn't answer it.  He then asked me what I was doing in The Church.  I told him that I presently did not have a calling in the ward.  He then asked me if I would serve as the second counselor in the Bishopric.  That question almost short-circuited my brain.  I didn't know what to say.  I felt most unworthy and inadequate.  I told the member of the Stake Presidency why I felt that way and requested a talk with Bishop Shelley.  We talked, he told me to see him after church.

That gave me the opportunity to go home and pray.  I cried and cried and I felt so inadequate.  I prayed for comfort and strength and peace of mind.  I prayed that the Lord would help me to accept the decisions made by his ordained leaders.

As I walked back to church I felt a feeling of peace come over me.  There had been a lot of doubts and reservations going through my mind.  All my bad actions, thoughts and deeds came to mind.  The prayer helped a great deal.

After sacrament I talked again with the Bishop and got things squared away for lots of work to come. I started the minute that I walked out of his office.  We counted up tithing, fast offerings, and budget then went and deposited them at the bank.  Rob was very helpful and gracious as he assisted me.

I then went back and talked to President Thompson.

What a day!  Up to the MTC after finishing my fast (one of the best I've had in a long time).  Problems with AU in the gym with all the Brazilian missionaries.

Valerie came down from Murray to visit.  She is a gem and I think I better keep an eye on her.

John got back from Idaho.  I missed him.  We shared experiences from our mission journals and laughed.  I do love him and will miss him greatly when he gets married.

I called Mom today.  She was depressed and in tears.  She feels at times that she has failed in raising her family in The Church.  I tried to comfort her.

A valiant woman.  I love her dearly.


JC

Baptizing In Six-Month-Old Green Water

I don't know exactly how but it seems as though I have been able to keep this journal up to date.  It's P-Day today and we have been kind of cleaning up.  Two elders are out visiting from Oruro.  One of them is another Tongan.

Yesterday was really neat.  The Mamanis were baptized and I got to do it.  The Church is an ex-mosque and I don't know what it was that we baptized in but it held enough water.  The water was about 6 months old and a weird shade of green.  It was harder trying to remember their names than it was the prayer.  That night after Sacrament we watched movies again.  When we watched The First Vision I felt the spirit really strong.

I guess I have been chosen to lead the music.  It is just like singing a solo.  We don't have anyone who can play the piano and a lot of the songs the people don't know, but it is fine.

Last night I about froze to death.  I was wearing my garments, long underwear, shirt, tie, sweatshirt, socks, and scarf and I still froze.  It was really cold this morning.  The wind was really blowing and we froze.

I have really enjoyed today.  I just feel good.

Scriptures For Dad, Being The Acting District Leader & Chasing Away Bad Thoughts

Lots of "cosas" to write about.

I bought Dad a pair of scriptures.  I sure hope that he likes them.  It took up a lot of guts to buy them but I am a missionary and this is my job.

The Naronas District got in yesterday.  I was pretty nervous when I was telling them all the information, but Elder Brown said that I did a good job.

I got a long letter from Linda yesterday along with some great brownies.  I don't believe it but I don't think she really caught the drift of my "cooling down" letter.  It was a lot better but there were still some pretty subtle hints.  On the back of the last page she wrote Linda Christine Christensen!!  She did tell me not to take it seriously, but still!

I passed off F-6 which was the last one in F so now there are 7 down and one to go!

Today was really rough.  I just couldn't concentrate on the concept.  It took me close to 4 hours to learn it.  I don't know why, but I just kept thinking of bad thoughts and things that should be out of my mind.  I prayed a lot and tonight I did a lot better.

Well that's all for tonight!

"I can't say it enough - my parents are the greatest!!"

Who do I brag about first - Mom or Dad?  Heads, so I'll start with Mom.

They got back from the Wool Growers Convention in Vail where they were both honored.  Mom as the GWGA Auxiliary Past President and Dad as the Guest of Honor.  I just looked back in my journal and realized that I have just written some of these things twice.  I will vouch for Mother's skill in speech-making.  I have never heard her give an unimpressive speech.  And unlike most other people, I think that I judge her harder than anybody else I know.

Some of Dad's accomplishment's are as follows: First Chairman of The Wool and Sheep Board.  The program for the convention which raise $18,000 dollars for the CWG was his brain child.  Chairman or Co-Chairman of the Convention for 7 years.  President of Wool Growers for two years (and later, the Outstanding Man in Agriculture, Mesa County 1998).  Plus this year he was named Wool Grower of the Year.

I know that there are so many other things that he has done that he won't take credit for.

I can't say it enough, my parents are the greatest!!

Well, the Lord does work in mysterious ways.  We had a lesson in Sunday School on teaching with love.  One strong point that really stuck is how we shouldn't aspire to leadership positions.  Well, this fit in pretty well and helped me with my problems in this area.

Then during fast and testimony meeting the thought came up.  That it doesn't really matter where we serve as long as we are the best.  I think I convinced myself that if I wasn't going to get called to a leadership position then there was a reason for it and I would be the best junior companion in the mission, even if it was for two years.  This may sound extreme but I was really feeling that way.  Then after the closing prayer, President Barrett came up to me and asked me if I would serve as an acting District Leader for the new district coming in this Thursday.  Of all the things this was the least expected.  I do know that the call must have been inspired.  I really don't know why I know, it is just that I knew in my heart that the Lord prompted him to do this.

We went to a fourteen stake fireside tonight at the Marriott Center.  I don't think that I have ever seen so many good-looking girls in my life.  To say the least it was pretty hard to concentrate.  Elder Pulman spoke about friends, both living and the kind we find through books.  I sure am glad though that I don't have to go back there until after my mission!!!