not indispensable
So, the first post from staff 2019.
While this is the first official day of staff week, at least for another few minutes, for me it is the end of day four. The store was functional on the day of feast, with inventory nearly finished being entered into the system today, we have a lot of work to do to get set for cub camp. I have a lot of work to do to get set for uniforms on Wednesday.
This year, I am running the Trading Post. I have, at the last minute, an assistant manager, who will be working in the mornings, giving me mornings to do as I will, which will be to insure that all is working, run to the bank, etc, etc. I thought it odd that I would be selected for such a position, essentially making me an area director in only my second year on staff. It reminds me of what someone said about callings in the church. Let me explain.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with the exception of a relatively few general authorities of the church, leadership is mostly provided by lay personnel. These individuals are called of God through the proper priesthood authority. They are not necessarily formally trained counselors, psychologists, CEOs, accountants, or other such professionals, though they could be. They are individuals, who are seen "not as man seeth" 1 Samuel 16:7 KJV. The Lord knows each of us, and knows what we are capable of doing. So leaders of the church are called after much prayer. What I was saying earlier is that a friend had told me that callings were made by "desperation, not by inspiration". Nothing could be further from the truth. I have sat in counsels were the needs of the ward were discussed, and it was not out of desperation that those needs were met, but rather inspiration, even if it seems to not be right at the time. I testify that callings that are issued are done through inspiration, and that they are done through the witness of the Holy Ghost. Even if everything seems wrong at the time. Which brings us back to my question.
I wonder how much desperation was in the air when they decided to make me the manager of the Trading Post. I do suffer from some pretty significant low self esteem, if you hadn't noticed, and it is just exacerbated out here. Why? A quick rehash
Nearly everyone on staff is an Eagle Scout.
Nearly everyone on staff is so involved in not just their scout units, but their dance teams, their communities, so much so, you have to wonder how they have time to breath.
Of course the reciprocal to those could be added,
I am not an Eagle, and am only marginally involved in anything.
So, here I am, on staff. Probably a moment of desperation has caused them to put me in my position. I will do the best I can, and hope that is enough. That is all I can do. Serving as an area director (as the TP manager) has really been an enlightening time. Watching with awe the chess master that is the camp director. He moves the staff members on the board, begging from one area to give to another. It is so amazing simply to watch, knowing that most staff members will be willing to do whatever is asked of them, even if it includes changing areas or jobs. For me it is difficult, it is a struggle to change something that I had built my expectations on. But guess what. I have such respect for the leaders here that I would gladly do what is asked, as they would not ask me to do anything wrong, sinful, or otherwise harmful to myself or others. (Naive belief maybe, I choose not to think so)
In the church, we are counseled to not just take our leaders at their word, when introducing doctrine or policy. We are told to believe and have faith, and to prove the Lord, to see his hand in our lives. We are told to study out whatever change may have happened. To exercise faith by following the commandment of God, we can be shown that it is true.
While this is the first official day of staff week, at least for another few minutes, for me it is the end of day four. The store was functional on the day of feast, with inventory nearly finished being entered into the system today, we have a lot of work to do to get set for cub camp. I have a lot of work to do to get set for uniforms on Wednesday.
This year, I am running the Trading Post. I have, at the last minute, an assistant manager, who will be working in the mornings, giving me mornings to do as I will, which will be to insure that all is working, run to the bank, etc, etc. I thought it odd that I would be selected for such a position, essentially making me an area director in only my second year on staff. It reminds me of what someone said about callings in the church. Let me explain.
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with the exception of a relatively few general authorities of the church, leadership is mostly provided by lay personnel. These individuals are called of God through the proper priesthood authority. They are not necessarily formally trained counselors, psychologists, CEOs, accountants, or other such professionals, though they could be. They are individuals, who are seen "not as man seeth" 1 Samuel 16:7 KJV. The Lord knows each of us, and knows what we are capable of doing. So leaders of the church are called after much prayer. What I was saying earlier is that a friend had told me that callings were made by "desperation, not by inspiration". Nothing could be further from the truth. I have sat in counsels were the needs of the ward were discussed, and it was not out of desperation that those needs were met, but rather inspiration, even if it seems to not be right at the time. I testify that callings that are issued are done through inspiration, and that they are done through the witness of the Holy Ghost. Even if everything seems wrong at the time. Which brings us back to my question.
I wonder how much desperation was in the air when they decided to make me the manager of the Trading Post. I do suffer from some pretty significant low self esteem, if you hadn't noticed, and it is just exacerbated out here. Why? A quick rehash
Nearly everyone on staff is an Eagle Scout.
Nearly everyone on staff is so involved in not just their scout units, but their dance teams, their communities, so much so, you have to wonder how they have time to breath.
Of course the reciprocal to those could be added,
I am not an Eagle, and am only marginally involved in anything.
So, here I am, on staff. Probably a moment of desperation has caused them to put me in my position. I will do the best I can, and hope that is enough. That is all I can do. Serving as an area director (as the TP manager) has really been an enlightening time. Watching with awe the chess master that is the camp director. He moves the staff members on the board, begging from one area to give to another. It is so amazing simply to watch, knowing that most staff members will be willing to do whatever is asked of them, even if it includes changing areas or jobs. For me it is difficult, it is a struggle to change something that I had built my expectations on. But guess what. I have such respect for the leaders here that I would gladly do what is asked, as they would not ask me to do anything wrong, sinful, or otherwise harmful to myself or others. (Naive belief maybe, I choose not to think so)
In the church, we are counseled to not just take our leaders at their word, when introducing doctrine or policy. We are told to believe and have faith, and to prove the Lord, to see his hand in our lives. We are told to study out whatever change may have happened. To exercise faith by following the commandment of God, we can be shown that it is true.
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