My Maine Test of Faith.

I hoped you catch the play on words in this post's title. If you did not understand it here is why: One week ago tonight I applied for a summer counseling position at a summer camp in Maine. I felt really good about applying and thought it sounded like a perfect way to spend the next 3 months. It really sounded ideal for more reasons than I care to explain. So I decided to apply. After making the decision I asked Heavenly Father if that was cool with him before I went through with it. He was like, "yeah that sounds pretty dope, do it child!" And I was all "mmk, dece, thanks! I will!"

A few days passed after submitting my application and I received a call from "Jean." She was a nice young woman probably in her mid-20's early 30's. We set up a time for a phone interview later on that day and I filled out a second step application in the mean time. Well, she called me at our designated time and we talked for a few minutes shy of an hour. The interview was pretty fun but really demanding for me to try and sound like I wasn't an idiot or a weird Utah-Polygamist-Mormon with a ton of siblings (telling people I'm the youngest of 10 and live in Utah always makes deserves the backstory). Anyway, the interview was going really well and they were basically handing me a job that I didn't apply for but they were going to switch some people around so I could get it. Eventually however, we came to the question "If hired, what would you do with the 24hour period you receive off every week?" I asked her which day of the week I would get off and her answer didn't please me.

She said it goes alternates between Wednesday and Friday. Well, that didn't work for me. I need Sunday's of because it's the Sabbath Day and God's given day for rest. We talked about maybe me just going to church services and coming back. However, I couldn't attend all 3 hours, I might be able to get away with 1. This also didn't fly for this perspective missionary. 

With many thanks and apologies I respectfully withdrew my application for the position and Jean understood my position and respected my decision. I thought that was it and the lesson God wanted me to learn. But no. God had more.

The next morning I wake up to my phone, boo, it was my day to sleep in. It was a 207 number, Maine is calling me again?

"Hello, this is Christian." -My greeting to any number I don't have saved in my phone.
"Hi Christian, it's Jean from Kingsley Pines Camp

I'm wide awake.

She called and told me she had been thinking about my situation and actually talked with the camp director about it the night before. They were willing me to offer me transportation to and from my church services and willing to adjust some schedules so I could attend all three hours of church. This was a really generous offer! I was quite surprised they were willing to do all that! However, I asked if I could call them back in about five minutes with my answer. Scrambling, I called my parents to ask what I should do. Neither of them answered. Boo! PARENTS, ANSWER! 

I called a friend who had been in my position before and was a returned sister missionary, so she understood my struggles as a future missionary. She gave me advice that I already knew but needed to hear, so I followed it. For the second time, I made a decision about the camp and asked God if it was the right one. However, I was still a little unsure if what I was about to do was correct. But, I did it anyway.

I called Jean back and informed her I could not accept a position that summer. I explained that as a member of my faith, I believe Sunday to be a holy day of rest set apart by God and given as a commandment to Moses. She admitted she was disappointed that I wouldn't be joining their team, but she commended me for having virtues and sticking with them.

As I was going through quite the difficult battle of accepting the position or not, I thought of a video a friend posted on facebook the week before. 

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#dare-to-stand-alone

"Dare to be a Mormon, 

Dare to stand alone,

Dare to have a purpose firm,

Dare to make it known."

These words played over and over in my head and helped me make my decision, which in the end was the correct one. 

I'm grateful to have a living prophet who guides me in making correct decisions. I'm thankful to have a member of the Godhead with me wherever I go. I am thankful for the spirit of revelation and knowing I can pray whenever I am lost, anguished, or filled with joy. I now know that the reason I was supposed to apply for this, rather fantastic, summer camp position was to learn this lesson. I know when I am a missionary and asking investigators to keep the Sabbath Day holy, I can ask them knowing how difficult it is to fulfill this commandment, and the joy that comes by doing so. I'm grateful that I could share a small portion of my testimony and what the LDS church is about with Jean. Maybe one day my words will lead her to investigating for herself what I know. Lastly, words cannot express how thankful I am for the Atonement and my savior, Jesus Christ, whose name I give this message in. 

that's really too bad.

this might be the most pointless blog I've read. just pointing out what we all already know. yep.

Gratitude.

As I read over posts and things I realize how negative I must sound all the time.  I must only mention the negative things because they are more comedic and usually get more likes, but I do try to recognize the sweet things in my life.

(SEGWAY)

I love. . .

     the sound of pouring something into a glass and the pitch changes with more and more liquid.

     clothes stained with the smell of smoke, this means I had fun the weekend before.

     hearing opinions, even if I don't agree with them.

     when people admit they're wrong, or when I can muster enough courage to admit that I am. 

     spinning really fast and your stomach gets that weird upside down feeling.
     learning about the twelve tribes and what each is inherited with. 

     smelling Spearmint gum and thinking of my brother Paul.

     feeling like everything is falling apart, because I know God will have my back.

     burning my tongue on hot chocolate.

     reading real books, not ones on a screen.
     the sound butter makes in a warm pan.
     the symbol for D.S. al Coda.
     listening to BYU students having a conversation and wondering if they hear themselves.

     knowing only three people will read this post, including myself.

     being old fashioned when it comes to dating.

     the phrases "too soon?" and "to each his own!".

     pretending like I know what I'm talking about.

     that no one is still reading these.

     the shock value when I say a semi-offensive word.

     knowing it gets better.
     swimming nude and feeling the water moving around me naturally.

     that I genuinely enjoy Shakespeare.

     stories that begin with "you can't repeat this..."

     inheriting my Grandmother's sharp and rude wit. 

     instinctively making choreography to the song I am listening to.

     passing people on the freeway.
     when my mom says "A book and a run"

     driving in winter, and the snowflakes are so big it's easier to turn off my headlights.

     pulling up other people's blogs to listen to their music.
     opening my eyes underwater.

     knowing I should already be asleep.

     My Big Fat Greek Wedding references.

     feeling the sun on my shirtless chest.

     the smell of skunks. weird, I know.

     being a weird drama person and normal person at the same time.

     that I grew up between Alpine, Phoenix, a New Mexican Farm, and tour bus.

     the first time all my siblings were together; we were all in a sealing room dressed in white.

     

Goodnight.