What Matter Is The Long Run

So last night I had two things planned to do that I really wanted and needed to get done: a stake president interview and an intermural soccer game - the first one to kick off the tournament. The interviews were starting at 6:00 PM and the soccer game was at 7:00 PM on the opposite side of campus. Me, well being me, decided that I could make it to both. Obviously I needed to go get my stake president interview and that was the top priority, but I just really wanted to play in that soccer game. So, because the interviews were first come first serve, I went at 5:20, right after my astronomy class. I got up to the conference center and there were already 3 people there, so I thought, okay that's decent I will be 4th. If each interview is 10-15 minutes and there are 3 people doing interviews I will be through with a half hour to spare before 7:00, plenty of time! As it drew nearer and nearer to 6:00 more and more guys came. I thought how lucky I was to get there earlier. Finally, President Madsen came out with the clipboard and says, "first come, first serve", and everyone gets up at once and goes to the clipboard!  So, it didn't even matter when you got there in order because this kid who had got there 2 minutes earlier signed up for 3rd in line! I ended up 5th, still decent. President Crowley came shortly after and at 6 they took the first two guys who were signed up to get an interview...

...a half hour later, they were just getting out. The interviews were taking longer than expected. And, there were only 2 people doing the interviews. At 6:30, with the 3rd and 4th guys in there I was just counting minute by minute go by hoping that they would emerge and I would be next. I just wanted to be out by 6:50 so I could sprint back and then run to my field and only miss a short part of my game. This girl shows up and sits down, and then President Madsen comes out and goes, "I hope you gentleman don't mind, but we always take ladies first." I was okay with that, because I was happy to let her go in front of me. At that point I was so anxious that I kept getting the recurring thoughts to leave and come back on sunday when I wasn't so pressed for time. When 7:00 came I just thought to myself, "Why do I care so much? Who cares if I miss one soccer game! I am about to get interviewed by the stake presidency to consecrate 2 years of my time for a full time mission, what does this one time mean?" I knew that Satan works hard so that young men won't serve a mission, and him putting in the thoughts of the soccer game in my mind was his way of trying to get me to leave. Once I finally got into the interview room I had pushed the entire game from my mind, and everything at that moment seemed so much clearer to me. I knew I would much rather be there, taking to President Crowley at that point in time. It was one of the best interviews of my life, and I learned a lot. I also felt the spirit very strongly. I was still in there at 7:22, when he asked if I wanted to stick around for a few minutes so I could push the final "send" button to the first presidency. He knew I was missing my game, but I just said, "It will be over soon anyways, I would love to stay." I got to "touch the prophets finger" according to President Crowley.

This whole experience gave me perspective as to what is important in life and what isn't. One game in a soccer tournament isn't anywhere near as important as getting an interview to go on a mission. And, I am getting my call in 9-13 days now. It will probably come not this Wednesday but the Wednesday afterwards, and I am so excited. Just put things in perspective. What is important to you now? What will be important to you in the long run? Don't let Satan pull you away.

Also, I was blessed - we won our soccer game and I get to play in the next game. Good job team!!!

I was in the creamery today when I saw some frisbee discs. I promptly took a picture - Jimmermania. You could have a wind Jimmer of your very own! Only $3.39! "Engineered for maximum flight"....that is the best part.