Monday, June 16, 2014

         Glade walked for groceries and carried two heavy bags up our huge hill and had to have his second shower of the day.  He went to the fitness center this morning first, but the pool still isn’t ready.  He biked instead.  He gave a great FHE lesson and we were happy that the Caziers provided the food.

         A little over a week ago, a young married sister in our ward who attends Institute here told me that the current teacher had just been called as a mission president and wouldn’t be able to teach the class any longer.  The class is a college level Book of Mormon 120-121 and is part of the Pathways program for students who are preparing to attend BYUI.  Students who complete the course receive college credits.  The remaining classes will go to next March. 

She asked me to teach this class!  The course is taught in English and they need a native English-speaking teacher.  Wow!  I was somewhat overwhelmed!  I looked up the course material online and, of course, they are currently studying Isaiah in Second Nephi.  I realized that it would take a lot of work and study to even attempt to do this. 

Once Glade and I started talking about it, one obstacle after another appeared.  First, I felt inadequate, although the class was very small, since I have never taught Book of Mormon on that level; second, it was a drive of at least 25 minutes across town and in the dark; third, it would take both of us away from part of a shift in the Temple one day a week for the remainder of the mission--I wouldn’t travel without him; fourth, we had no transportation of our own; fifth, there should be no travel away from the compound after dark.  Add to that a heightened stress level on a daily basis for the next nine months and less time to study Spanish or anything else; and I was not feeling too comfortable about accepting.   Besides, Glade is indispensible at the temple,

Somewhere along the road of life we get programmed to serve when asked, to help out when we can, and to accept the callings extended to us (although this was not a calling from a Priesthood leader); so even though it looked bleak, I was feeling guilty about saying “No” but couldn’t imagine how it would ever work out.

Pres. Amado (counselor) told me when I sought his counsel, to carefully weigh both sides, count the cost of doing something good away from my mission assignment, and then make the decision about what I wanted to do.  He reminded me about the Brother of Jared who was faced with the dilemma of having no light in the barges for the ocean journey and asked the Lord for help.  He knew he couldn’t build a fire and there were no windows, but the Lord asked him what he wanted Him to do?  That’s how I felt—I laid everything out on the table and Pres. Amado asked me what I wanted to do!!  Even though the answer seemed obvious, I felt so guilty about disappointing this sweet sister and about saying “no” to an opportunity that might bring rich experiences, that I actually considered giving it a try.

However, after “studying it out in my mind,” and seeking help from Heavenly Father, I decided the cost was too great and I could not accept. 

Well, the bottom line here is that the temple presidency would have to give their approval and permission for me to leave my temple assignment (and Glade, too) before I could accept.  They were going to discuss it in their Tuesday meeting, but since I had decided not to do it, I told Pres. Amado not to put the issue on their agenda. 

Tonight after FHE, Pres. Amado said “I have news for you.”  The presidency traveled together for speaking assignments on Sunday and discussed the matter ahead of their scheduled meeting.  Their consensus was the same as mine!  I was so grateful to be “let off the hook,” so to speak, and to not feel guilty about saying “No.”  I was also grateful that I had “studied it out in my own mind,” sought guidance for my own answer, and that it was confirmed by the presidency’s decision.  It was a lesson in learning to perceive spiritual direction.  I’ll never know what might have been, but the decision is right.