Out of My Element

I always like getting new callings because it challenges me in ways that I wasn't challeneged before. I recently got called to be a Young Women's Advisor in my ward. I immediately felt overwhelmed with the calling when I accepted it. Mind you I haven't been in a family ward in close to 10 years. It isn't really the teaching part that scares me so much. I have been a Primary Teacher, Gospel Principles Teacher, & Gospel Doctorine Teacher. So I love teaching. What intimidates me is at least with the Primary kids you know they aren't paying attention so it doesn't really matter. Gospel Principles & Gospel Doctorine they do listen as well as participate so it makes teaching really easy. Young Women on the other hand. . . they are listening and they refuse to voluntarily participate. I taught my first lesson two weeks ago and seriously . . . when I asked questions you could hear crickets chirp. I just started calling on them to make them participate.
The other part that intimidates me is . . . I haven't had to carry on a conversation with someone this age in forever. I don't spend a lot of time with my niece and nephew that are this age and the nieces and nephews that I do spend time with are all little and all you have to do is love and play with them. I went to Young Women's last night and had to pick up two of the girls for the activity and I just feel sooo awkward. I just want to love and bond with this girls, but I have forgotten how. You would think that it wouldn't be so intimidating seeing that I once was one of these girls, but for some reason it just makes me all sorts of uncomfortable. I am grateful for this calling. I know that it will be really good for me. But most of all I want to be a good leader and example to them.