Clueless in My Calling

I was just called to be the Young Men's president in my ward. I was inactive as a youth and I've never served in this auxiliary. Consequently, I feel a tad overwhelmed as I learn about my responsibilities regarding quorom meetings, scouting, Mutual, and the Duty to God program. It will come with time, but I've never leaned so strongly on the Lord. On February 24, 2010, Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke to the HR Dept. of the Church in a live-audience interview titled, "A Conversation on Leadership." Here is an excerpt that I found very comforting:

I think all of this is also related to the Lord’s type of leadership. You know, in the secular world, leadership is all about achieving strategic goals and being aggressive and assertive and having charisma and all that stuff you read in all the management books. But that’s not the Lord’s pattern. And we ought to benefit from secular stuff about leadership, but we also ought to discount a fair amount of it because that’s not how it works here. Just think about any responsibility you’ve ever had as a leader in the Church. Were you well prepared before you were called? No. Did you know what you were doing when you were called? No. So the Lord, by inspiration through those who are in authority, calls us to do things that we’ve never done, that we’re not prepared to do, and that we struggle with on the front end especially, learning what we’re to do.

Well, my phrasing for that is what happens as soon as you begin to have any idea of what you’re doing and gain any measure of confidence, you’re released and you’re clueless again in some new responsibility. And there’s a reason for that. As long as we’re clueless we’re dependent upon heaven. As soon as we think we know what we’re doing then we tend to rely more on the arm of the flesh. In the Church every single one of us has been in the position where heaven took a chance on us. We didn’t know what to do, we certainly were not experienced, we were worthy and willing, but heaven took a chance.

Truthfully, when we then are the one in the chair to receive inspiration for someone else, aren’t we less willing to take a chance on other people? We want folks who have the requisite skill and capacity, and we want everything to run smooth and so we use the same 10 people who at some point in time were given an opportunity, developed the skill and the capacity and the confidence, and we want to look good so we just keep moving them around in the different auxiliaries. The great enjoyment comes when someone who’s really clueless gains confidence in capacity. That's fun.

What Color is Silence?

This past week, I was discussing my new stake assignment with a friend, Alan. Alan is a FANTASTIC example of a member-missionary. I told him of how scared I get opening my mouth to share the gospel. I let a great opportunity go last week...sort of. I can contact this person again, but I fear I let the ideal situation slip through my fingers. Alan responded: "Sometimes silence isn't golden. Sometimes it's yellow (as in 'cowardice')." He then quoted D&C 60: 2-3:

2 But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their
mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because
of the fear of man...
3 And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.

These words had a great impact on me. I will be a better missionary.

Beautiful People

This is soooooo true. I'm thankful for the beautiful people in my life.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
— Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

The Little Girl Who Has Me Wrapped

Here's Lilee on her 6 month mark. I love the way she's looking at me. She has made our home so happy, and so complete. For years, when we'd be heading out the door, I'd do a head count and I'd always remark, "It feels like we're missing someone." Well, this is who we were missing.

Help with Casting!

Okay, our reality show got picked up for two more episodes, and maybe...maybe 18 more! The first two have yet to leave post-production, so this is a good sign. Here's where I need you help. Please contact me if you know of someone who used to be in the Army, who now has an interesting/exciting career. These people need to be under 40 and somewhat "camera friendly" (a.k.a. easy on the eyes, un-troll-like, arm candy, bonny, fetching, comely, etc.), and willing to be on TV for one episode. The executive producer asked me to have him pictures by Tuesday, April 28. Please help! Thanks.

Name for TV Show

I'm currently co-producing two pilot episodes of TV reality show (actually, it's more of an infomercial) that will air on MTV, Spike and Fuel. This project was created by Ricky Schroder and is funded by the U.S. Army. It will showcase prospective ARMY recruits as they shadow enlistees in their Army careers. The prospects will then shadow the enlistees' civilian counterparts in their army-trained careers. The idea is to boost enlistments by illustrating how exciting Army careers can translate into even greater civilian jobs. At the end of the episode, the prospect will sign the papers to enlist - or, he/she will decline. If the pilots bring favorable results, the Army will order an entire season. Shooting begins a week from today in Ft. Carson, CO - one of 4 locations. Here's the dilemma - the show has no name. The names chosen by the production staff (Recruit, and G.I. Jobs) have been used by other productions, so, to get the names insured against intellectual property claims will cost a fortune - the deductible to use Recruit is $50,000. One name being thrown around is Boots to Suits. We'd like a larger pool of names from which to choose. Time is of the essence. Can you help me out? If the name you submit is actually used (contingent upon you being the first to submit such), I'll treat you to an egg-salad sandwich from this amazing deli here in downtown Phoenix. What?? You're insulted by the offer?? Don't be. The sandwich is life-altering and we're over budget. So, give it a shot. If your name is picked, I'll see that your name is in the show's credits under "THANKS TO:"

Update: PLEASE keep them clean so that I can post them. Also, "Up Your Rear with an Army Career" won't work for obvious reasons.

Book Recommendation

I just finished reading a book titled The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration, by Tad R. Callister (brother of Elder Douglas Callister of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy). I thought I knew a lot about the apostasy - nope. Buy, borrow or steal a copy of this book. It was quite an education. What happened to Christ's teachings, His church and its members after His and His apostles' deaths will make you sick. The "Church" that was left over perverted and twisted everything sacred. Those changes in doctrine, church discipline and ordinances are well-documented and received scrutinizing and disapproving commentary by historians and bishops in the subsequent early centuries; they were wholly aware that the church of Christ had vanished. This book will strengthen your testimony and improve your dialogue in this area. GREAT book!