In our church, we have what we refer to as callings. A calling is an opportunity to perform a service within the church. It is your “job” in the church. You don’t choose your calling. It is given to you by the Bishop. I was explaining this to a friend at church, and he was really struggling with the concept. I was trying to explain that it isn’t taken lightly, and that everything is prayed upon. He wanted to know why I couldn’t pray to find out what my own calling should be. I’m not sure if this is true for everyone, but I don’t think that I would listen intensely as I should. For instance, I loved teaching the Sunbeams. Because I loved that calling so much, I would have taken that as a sign that I should stay there for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t have taken the opportunity to search and out and figure out where I should be next. Plus, everyone issuing their own callings would cause complete chaos within the church!
I had been a Visiting Teaching Supervisor for well over a year, so I knew that I would be released soon. It was one of those dream callings. It was a behind-the-scenes kind of callings. No one saw me. I was not in front of a class giving a lesson. I compiled a report each month. That is all there was to it. Easy as pie. I loved my calling. It played to my strengths – organization and compilation of data. It also gave me the opportunity to share my testimony each month of the Visiting Teaching program. I believe so strongly in the Visiting Teaching program, and loved the opportunity to move the program along in some small way.
All good things must come to an end. So, now I move on to a new and exciting chapter in life. I have been called as the Young Women’s 2nd Counselor. I will be working with the sweet little Beehives (12 and 13 year olds). I was given this calling the day before my aunt died. I had so much on my mind that I was kind of numb when I accepted the calling. Had I been in my right mind, I would have spent a week with my stomach in a knot. Luckily, I had too much going on to spend very much time worrying about this new calling. This is one of those callings that I had always hoped would NOT be mine. I have always worried that I don’t possess the qualities that would make a good Young Women’s leader.
I have only been on the job for a week, so I still have a lot to learn. The calling isn’t as scary as I thought it would be. The girls are super sweet, and I am so lucky that the Beehives advisor is Susan Dunn. She is wonderful, and I know that I am going to learn a tremendous amount from her. This calling will definitely keep me busy. In addition to Sunday church and Wednesday night activities, there seem to be a plethora of meetings. However, I know that if I just try my hardest that it will all come together and our family will be blessed. Earlier this month, Fred was called as an eleven year old assistant scout leader. So, it seems, that you will not be able to reach the Fortenberry’s on Wednesday nights.
I had been a Visiting Teaching Supervisor for well over a year, so I knew that I would be released soon. It was one of those dream callings. It was a behind-the-scenes kind of callings. No one saw me. I was not in front of a class giving a lesson. I compiled a report each month. That is all there was to it. Easy as pie. I loved my calling. It played to my strengths – organization and compilation of data. It also gave me the opportunity to share my testimony each month of the Visiting Teaching program. I believe so strongly in the Visiting Teaching program, and loved the opportunity to move the program along in some small way.
All good things must come to an end. So, now I move on to a new and exciting chapter in life. I have been called as the Young Women’s 2nd Counselor. I will be working with the sweet little Beehives (12 and 13 year olds). I was given this calling the day before my aunt died. I had so much on my mind that I was kind of numb when I accepted the calling. Had I been in my right mind, I would have spent a week with my stomach in a knot. Luckily, I had too much going on to spend very much time worrying about this new calling. This is one of those callings that I had always hoped would NOT be mine. I have always worried that I don’t possess the qualities that would make a good Young Women’s leader.
I have only been on the job for a week, so I still have a lot to learn. The calling isn’t as scary as I thought it would be. The girls are super sweet, and I am so lucky that the Beehives advisor is Susan Dunn. She is wonderful, and I know that I am going to learn a tremendous amount from her. This calling will definitely keep me busy. In addition to Sunday church and Wednesday night activities, there seem to be a plethora of meetings. However, I know that if I just try my hardest that it will all come together and our family will be blessed. Earlier this month, Fred was called as an eleven year old assistant scout leader. So, it seems, that you will not be able to reach the Fortenberry’s on Wednesday nights.
1 comment:
Congrats on the new callings! You will be AMAZING in YW! I'm so excited for you. I loved being in there. Yes, it's busy and admittedly emotionally exhausting at times, but it's amazing. And Fred will be fantastic in his new position (I'd submitted his name ;). Best of luck to you both!
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