As some of you know, I have spent the last 4+ years serving on the High Council of our Stake. I started next to last and moved around the table (A very foolish tradition of our fore fathers in my opinion) and now sit at the #1 spot. I have watched several under me come and leave to be replaced by others who have then left as well. I would not have it any other way I love my calling and the following might help explain why.
I see miracles happen all the time. A few examples:
- I get a call saying that the mic is not working at a sacrament meeting. I drive up to the building and get the thought that a button was pushed when I took down the equipment from a satellite broadcast earlier that week. I arrive at the Chapel just as they are singing the opening hymn, sneak into the sound room sure enough the button was hit so I turn it on. The person giving the prayer approaches the "dead Mic" and as he starts the prayer stops for a second as his voice is heard over the sound system. Several people looked around. I had no idea that button worked the system.
- I get a call saying it is too cold in the Chapel and then get a call that it is too hot in the same chapel, during the same meeting, I arrive, step into the doorway, look at the ceiling and around seeing that the heat and air are working then leave. I get notified later that whatever I did worked just great form those that complained. (OK not really a miracle but I think it is funny)
- Often I have been prompted to know just where the right breaker might be, or the right shut off knob. I have learned to be an expert on sound systems and have been told exactly where a problem is with an issue without any verbal communication.
- I have opened up the workings of a pulpit, with several standing and looking over my shoulder, and have been enlightened as to the problem without anyone telling me. This is the best miracle of all to me, since no matter what the problem, if I don't fix it quick I will get 4-5 experts offering up exactly what I should be doing.
- I have been prompted to stop by a building to find that there is a problem, get that fixed, and no one ever knowing what might have been.
- I have been blessed with peace and a calm voice when I want to scream at members that seem to ask and do the most stupid things.
- Cutting locks off of lockers thinking there are cleaning supplies inside.
- Using bleach to help get a spot out of the carpet.
- Letting their children take a knife to the classroom door thinking it's ok.
- Taking apart a classroom door (removing the grill so some one can crawl through) to rescue a 10 year old locked inside instead of calling me or pulling the hinge pins, or having the kid crawl out.
- Deciding that the nursery toys really belong in another room that is easier to have nursery in for her kids only.
- Trying to unclog plumbing by shoving more towels down the toilet
- Demanding to have a key to play basketball at 10 pm since they pay their tithing and basketball is such a great missionary tool.
- Wanting to use the Church Audio equipment since it really belongs to everyone for a family party.
- Wanting to know the Internet password so they can get sport updates during Bishopric meetings on their new ipad.
- Not understanding why You Tube does not clear the firewall from the Church since they will only be playing church videos.
- And the best...why we cannot support their request to have the gym look less a gym and be more like a reception place for their daughters wedding reception. Meaning lights, sound equipment, get rid of the basket ball hoops. (I kindly remind them that they are not paying anything to use the building and we are not a reception center.) Then leaving it a mess thinking someone will come and clean it up before Sunday.
Yesterday we had the funeral for Elder Hillam a member of the 70 who lived in our Stake. The prep started on Saturday making sure the building was cleaned, chairs setup, the new motor in the Podium worked correctly, the parking lot cleaned as well as the entryways cleaned. Several Wards helped me with these tasks which I am always grateful for.
Monday Morning started early with cleaning the windows, quick run through of the building, meeting with Church Security, Secretary to the 70, Secretary to the 12 to discuss the visitors that would be attending.
We had 4 members of the 12 there with their wives. I was able to meet them while they were in the Stake Presidents office. When they were told my calling, that of PFR, they got a special smirk on their face that only comes to people that truly know what PFR means. We had approx 20 of the current 70 there as well as their wives and many of the emeritus members of the 70 as well as some widows of past General Authorities.
Add to that the marvelous family of Elder Hillam some I knew most I did not. What a great feeling in the building.
As Elder Perry (who was the presiding authority) walked into the chapel, passed by me standing by the door, he reached out and slugged my shoulder saying something to the effect "Hang in there!" To me that was a miracle that he would take that brief second to give me that.
I talked with Sister Hillam on Saturday night and assured her all would be ready for Monday. (I had dealt with her when she was our Stake Relief Society President). Monday morning I met her at the building went over her requests to which she said thank you. I also went up to the family dinner that was at another of our buildings, to make sure all was well. She saw me come in, gave me a hug and said thank you. These things make all the headache worth it.
Boo was able to go up to the lunch with me and she got a quick hug from Sister Hillam as well. They had met many times before as I set up items for the Relief Society.
Another blessing of this calling is that Boo can tag along on a lot of the things I do and is known by all of the Bishops in the Stake who all spoil her with treats whenever they see her.
She also knows and feels very comfortable in the 3 building we have. So much so that as we enter the Stake House she goes directly to Bishop Rapps door knowing that "fishies and Diet Pepsi" are inside. Over on the other side of the building she knows "cookies and peanuts" are in Bishop Briscoe's office.
She will go in and start to shut doors even if we are there on a Sunday during meetings.
As we were looking at the Ensign a few weeks ago she pointed to a picture of the prohet and said "Daddy, he's your prophet too." I said yes he is. We turned the page and saw more pictures of the 12 and Boo said, "Daddy they are your churchs prophets!" it took me a minute to figure out she was talking about their pictures being on the wall of the High Council room.
For all of this I am grateful and even happy to stay in this calling for however long I am needed.
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