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In unfamiliar territory!
Posted On 09/07/2009 00:57:58 by SMG

 

So, I accepted a calling today to be a Young Single Adults representative.  I wasn't at church today, I was not feeling well and stayed home to rest.  That didn't stop the 1st counselor from stopping by my new house, which I just moved into 2 or 3 days ago and was part of the reason I didn't show up at church (I hurt myself moving furniture).  He offered the calling, and I, without thinking said, "Sure!  I'll give it a try!"  Looking back, I realize that sort of response is not typically in-character for me.  I'm the type who usualy asks for time to think it over before giving an answer.  



My response sunk into my brain AFTER he had shook my hand and left.  D'oh!  I spend every other Saturday and Sunday at various places my teachers asign me to for clinicals!  I'm a senior in the nursing major at my local college.  Needless to say, I am a very busy person and am often stressed out!  My other problem, I know only one other person in my age group in my ward.  To say that I'm very shy and introverted is an understatement.  It takes a morning pep-talk and a mental kick in the pants for me to "shut off" that part of my personality for school and patient care!  It's not easy!  It's energy draining.  It's not second-nature to me, yet.  I often spend time after shifts kicking myself on how I could have done almost any number of things in a better way!  Have I bitten off more than I can chew??



I'm 28 and most of the people I'd be serving would be like 18-21 ish.  I'm not sure I have anything in common with them other than being a member of the church and being unmarried!  I kind of gave up hope of my ever getting married.  Does that make me a hypocrite for accepting a calling in a program that I see as a means of getting the unmarried people paired off?  (I don't mean it in a negative way, I think it's a good thing to have people with the same values interact with eachother and see prospective partners.)  



Does anyone have any advice on how to not screw up this calling?  I'm scared and kind of at a loss of what I should do! 

 

Tags: Callings Young Single Adults



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Viewing 1 - 3 out of 3 Comments

From: workindiligently
09/07/2009 18:29:06

I can definitely understand your feelings! But I'm sure you'll be great at it!  Remember, the greater the difficulty, the greater the blessings that will come in direct proportion to the difficulty thereof.  Trust me, as you serve in this calling, the Holy Ghost will be the power that will work through you as you allow Him in order to assist, bless, and help others.  And in the long run you will never regret the service as you show your faith and trust in the Lord through it all.  This reminds me of the following story:


"Not many years ago a young lawyer was immersed in pursing his career with a law firm in Chicago.  He was working six days a week, morning, noon, and night, on some challenging legal problems.  One day he received a phone call frim his stake president, who invited him to lunch.  The president issued a stake mission call to the already overworked lawyer and told him that he would be expected to give forty hours a month in proselyting time in addition to attending meetings, bringing investigators to Church, and pursuing an individual gospel study program.  The young lawyer must have wondered where he could find that extra forty hours of time, but in a moment that mattered he mustered the necessary faith to accept the call.  With faith similar to that of Nephi (see 1 Ne. 3:7), the man responded, "If the Lord wants me to serve in that position--and I do honor the calling as coming from the Lord through his servant--he will make it possible for me to do it.  When do you want me to start?"  The president, who was also acting on faith, said, "I have an appointment I'd like you to keep tonight."  The lawyer's name was Dallin H. Oaks, a man whom we know was later called to serve as president of BYU and who now serves as a member of the Quorom of the Twelve.  What if he had said no to the call to sacrifice and serve as a stake missionary?  Would these other opportunities ever have been his?  As he later reflected on this moment that mattered in his life, Elder Oaks said, "This was a turning point in my life; this was a test of my faith.  That calling offered me an opportunity to grow in faith and devotion and loyalty to the leadership of the Church.  In every way I can measure, it was a turning point in my life." ("The Blessing of Commandments," Speeches of the Year, 1974 [Provo:BYU Press,1975], 224-25). This story is quoted in Defining Moments by Hoyt W. Brewster, Jr., pages 43-44.


May the Lord bless you as you help give support and strength to the singles who are not only at a challenging stage of life, but living in a challenging world.


Workindiligently



From: WmLee
09/07/2009 12:50:50

SMG~ Callings are not extended without thought and prayer.  Sometimes the calling is extended because the individual has talents or gifts someone or some people need to to be uplifted by.  Often, the calling is extended because in serving, you will be uplifted.  What YOU will gain from serving is often greater than what you could ever give.


Go to your Bishop and explain your work schedule and the demands of your school.  Keep in mind your age difference is only a reflection of your experieince level and ask for a blessing so that you might stay focused and sensitive to the needs of those you will be serving.


Then find a way to have fun with it!  Who knows what lost or confused kid you might be helping!!



From: Ozone
09/07/2009 07:30:50

Dear SMG:


        I feel for your calling and in my mind I would be thinking of going to the Bishop and letting him know that you excepted the calling on the spair or the moment when you were not feeling well and had even stayed home from church. Being over taxed in the church can come quickly and often does. Remember you and your health comes first I believe. It is Wonderful that we serve a Living Heavenly father and there for he knows or needs . If you should deside to keep such a calling I would make sure that the singles do know about your being open to them and that if any of them would like to aid in helping you perhaps get and activity together like a weekend cook out ot a movie trip etc... We are here to help each other and I know its not a shameful thing to ask for it. Thank You for your posting , Sincerely Ozone.





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