You mean she was asking me to wear this ridiculous shirt on national TV, and I said 'Yes'?!

On Sunday in Sunday School we discussed my very favorite story in the Book of Mormon. It was the story of Nephi being told by the Lord to build a boat. I love Nephi's response to the Lord so much. "Whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?" 1 Ne 17:9. He did not doubt. He did not waver. He did not question. He just said "tell me what to do and I'll do it."

Here's what I would have said if I was Nephi: "What? I don't know how to make a ship. I can't do this. You have the wrong person. I'm just little ol' Nephi. Please ask someone else."

Chris and I had been married for about a year when we were called into the stake president's office. We were both given new callings. Chris was called as the Elders Quorum president. That didn't phase me. Chris is awesome. But then the stake president called me to serve in the stake YW presidency. I was floored. My response went something like this: "Do you know who I am? I am Jennifer Vos. I think this is a mistake. You might have the wrong person." He assured me that I was in fact the Jennifer Vos that he wanted to call to this calling. I accepted the calling and it turns out that I was really good at it. The Lord knew I could do it.

I have thought of Nephi being called to build the boat often lately. I have been called to add another child to my family. Although I am always willing to welcome a new baby to our home, I doubt my abilities. My first response is not always, "Whither shall I go that I may find diapers that I may change this baby?" Usually, it's more like this: "I am just Jennifer Vos. I don't know much. I don't do great. Are you sure that this is what you want for me to do? Why are you trusting me to do this?"

Sometimes I just don't feel equal to the task. It doesn't help that most of the world around me thinks I'm led away by the foolish imaginations of my heart. I'm lucky to have some very special Sams who always are encouraging and must see something in me that God sees for calling me to this work in the first place. I truly thank the Lord for Nephi's example and courage. Because of him, I'm a little more willing to trust the Lord's plan in my own life.

Sunday School

This week in Sunday School we studied the life of Harold B. Lee. We discussed how he magnified his priesthood, how he was sensitive to promptings of the Spirit and how he had many qualities of a good leader. My students shared that they had felt the promptings of the Spirit. They are still uncomfortable sharing what they felt it about, but at least they have recognized that they felt it. My students are very bright and I enjoy teaching them even though I don't think they enjoy my class very much. I feel very frustrated with the manual that I am teaching out of. The lessons are way too short. I have emailed the Church curriculum department about this issue several times and their answer is always, "Please pray before you prepare your lesson." I do!! This is the first calling I have had where I don't feel GREAT about how I am doing. I wish I had greater teaching ability for these children. They deserve better!

Prayer

Yesterdays Sunday School lesson was on prayer. I had four students in attendance although one laid behind the piano the entire class. I'm pretty sure he was there though. We talked about the steps of prayer and how each is important. We talked about how you can go to Heavenly Father with anything. Big things, little things...He wants to hear it all. They thought it was funny when we read the scripture in Alma about praying in your closets. We discussed how this meant to find a quiet, private place to converse. Several of them said they had prayed to ask for help with a problem but they didn't feel comfortable sharing it. That was ok with me...I'm just glad they pray! The lesson was a good reminder to me that I need to be more specific in my asking and also need to give time to Heavenly Father to respond. I left them with a challenge to improve their prayers this week. Next week we study the life of Harold B. Lee.

Sunday School Lesson

This Sunday I taught my 12-13 year old Sunday School class. The lesson was on how Joseph Fielding Smith magnified his callings. We discussed six main areas that he magnified the talents, responsibilities and callings from the Lord. They were physical fitness, new challenges, missionary work, church service, father and church president and prophet. Some things I didn't know about him are that he could fly fighter jets, he had 11 children, he served a mission to England and didn't baptize anyone, he was married to three different women (all at different times :)), he was called to be an Apostle during General Conference and didn't know it until his name was called, his father was Joseph F. Smith and his grandfather was Hyrum Smith and he formalized the Family Home Evening program. Only three students were present today. They were all boys. Sometimes I feel like they don't enjoy the lessons. At least they listen; maybe something is getting through! Next Sunday I teach about the power of Prayer.