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

Fun In The Sun & Thoughts About Marriage

I put a $100 deposit down on a computer today.  I guess that marks my attempt to move into the information age.

Lots of fun in the sun today.  Things started out with a 3 on 3 basketball tournament at the gym.  Our team did poorly.  But we did beat the bounders (Shawn McCord's team).

After that our ward played softball against the other ward in The Elms.  We beat them.  In the first inning I caught three balls to the left field in a row.  I was rather impressed with myself!

Still later diving and watermelon at the pool then scriptures and reading at the library.  I fell asleep for awhile at the library and awoke with a genuine kink in my neck.  I hope that it is gone in the morning.

I am fasting as I didn't have a very good fast last week.

P.S. Letter from Anne, postcard from Val, book mark from Hermana Dalton

John is home to Idaho this weekend.  He is spending some time with his parents as he is trying to decide if he should Marry (with a capital) Suzy End.

That is a tough decision and I don't envy the mental anguish that it assuredly is causing him.  The concept of marriage still seems so distant and foreign to me.  I just can't see any girl I know right now as my wife.

I predict that I will be at least 27 before I do get married.  There is a lot that I can learn in 3 short years.

I'm slowly falling for Churchill.


JC

An 84 On A Stats Exam

My feelings have fluctuated quite a bit today.  I studied all afternoon for my statistics test then I got an 84 on it.  I was upset.  I studied harder for this test than for any of the others but my results were poor.

I came home to eat some dinner before returning to the library and found myself being quite crass with my roommates.  I then sat down and read for a good hour about Churchill.  That was therapy for my feelings.  I read of his school days.  What a different kind of education we get now.

I went back up to school feeling happy and enjoying the beautiful spring evening.  I read in the reserve library until 10:30 then I picked up a book on Mormons and Muslims.  It instilled in me an instant desire to go out and see the world, especially the Middle East, instead of just reading about them.

John is trying to find out if he should marry Suzy.  I feel for him!


JC

Singin' In The Rain

It rained and rained today.  I got caught in the heaviest downpour of the day as I left the library for the apartment.  As the rain became more intense I gradually lost hope of staying dry.  That led to one of the most enjoyable walks I've had in a long time.

I started singing, let the rain wash my face, hit my neck and stomped in the puddles forming on the sidewalk.

I took the Religion 130 workshop through the MTC tonight.  Elders Wirty and Brady spoke and bore their testimonies.  Many of the kids were impressed.  Heidi Parker told me afterward that she was much more impressed that she thought she would've been.

I'm simply flabbergasted at the carnality of the aristocracy in Victorian England.  In reading of Churchill's parents I simply can't believe how readily adultery was accepted by their society.


JC

The Highs & The Lows Of Life

I guess one does change on life's waves make their impressions in the bedrock of youth.  I used to have such problems staying in the library to study.  It was especially difficult during the warm summer months.  It still isn't easy but the discipline is gradually becoming more evident in my life.  My, but what a struggle this life has been.  How happy I have been at times and how low I have plunged.  Sometimes life is so filled with activities that the excitement never seems to ebb.  At other times the daily grind of things can approach a hypnotic state.

I took a tour through the MTC tonight.  It was my Religion 130 class (Mission Prep).  I felt the Spirit very strongly.


JC

A Phone Call From Lisa

Lisa called me.  Surprise!  Homework then work.  That is about all.

Blessings, Trials & An Awkward Date Dance

3:30, 3:00, 1:30 - that's my excuse for no journal entries the last couple days.  I can't believe how blessed I have been.

There have been some real trials for me to overcome in this life and I'm still working on quite a few.  The Lord has given me so much.

School is going well and my social life is going along after than I can manage.

Tonight I was asked if I would be the lead in the ward play, "Cinderella".  I am going to play the part of Prince Charming.  I don't know what to expect.

Valerie is on vacation and I'm looking forward to a letter from Anne.

Last night I doubled with Jim and Laneeda Lucero.  I took out Laneeda's friend, Mary.  We had a barbecue which was fun.  Then we went to a dance which was not fun because every girl I've ever met in the whole wide world (including Lisa) was there.  All of Val's roommates were there.  Founder Bridge was playing and I felt like everyone was watching me.

Luce and I went golfing for the first time on Saturday.  I haven't golfed for 10 years and it was a lot of fun to get out and hit a few.


JC