THE FINAL POSTING

Throughout the year there have been specific experiences in my service as a part of BYUSA which have prepared me to “go forth to serve” in various aspects and areas of my life. As I reminisce about days gone by, I hope to highlight a few of the moments which have left a lasting imprint upon my soul.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE AS AN ATTORNEY

Right now the dream is to become an attorney and I feel like there will be many opportunities to lead and serve in a position like this. This line of employment, even from New Testament and Book of Mormon days, has had the less than flowery reputation of being cheats, scallywags, and crooks. There is no room for behavior that would get you classified as a “stereotypical” lawyer when you have been trained in the hallowed halls of BYU. Part of my service while I am employed in this position is going to be setting a good example of honest and ethical practice of the law. I believe that one of the best services I can do for my profession is to change individual perceptions of what it means to be an attorney.

I also plan on doing at least 40 hours of pro bono work for those who deserve a good lawyer but cannot afford one. I hope to be able to use my expertise in this field to do some real good for families and individuals. I’m not one to get all pumped up for changing the world but I truly believe in the possibility of changing your community. I think it comes back to the “lift where you stand” principle.

One incident which reinforced this lesson was working with Zach Featherstone on Care Week 2011. He was completely dedicated to making the winter Care Week the best and most successful it could be. He went the extra mile in all of his planning and preparations. He met individually with each committee member to ensure that each knew his or her duty and responsibility. One week when no one could make it to the originally scheduled meeting in the afternoon, Zach invited the team over to his house for dinner, where he wined and dined us and led a great discussion on being accountable for our assignments. He sacrificed work and school to make sure that the booth was manned the week of the event. He made sure every committee member felt appreciated.

An outsider would have said that Winter Care Week 2011 was a total flop. There were only two events and hardly anyone knew about the second one. However, the people who saw and experienced Zach’s leadership and growth know otherwise. I would consider it the most successful event of the year. Zach wasn’t out to change the world and he didn’t. He simply did his duty and magnified his calling. He lifted where he stood. It reminded me of the eternal lines penned by Milton, “God doth not need Either man’s work or his own gifts, who best bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.”

GOING FORTH TO SERVE IN THE CHURCH

One of the big themes early on in the Clubs Area was the importance of proper motives. I found that this was reiterated again and again in many different ways throughout the year. I witnessed first-hand the pure motives that many of our volunteers serve with. There are those who just give so selflessly of their time and talents. The same thing happens in the church. People aren’t monetarily rewarded for the time they put into their callings and the BYUSA volunteers are the same way and I think they do it for the same reason. They believe in the vision.

Charne’ was the finest example of catching the vision. Watching her week in and week out plan Clubs Night and work with her peeps was one of the more inspiring performances of the year. She always had such a positive attitude about her assignment. I want to be that way with my church callings. In times past I have had a bad attitude about having to do such and such, especially in the singles ward. Something as simple as having to play the piano every week sometimes removed the sunshine from my soul. I think that when we catch the vision, we realize the true importance of even the smallest callings. Charne’ knew that she was tilling and cultivating her little plot of Zion each Tuesday night.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE IN THE COMMUNITY

Ever since I was a little guy I have wanted to be involved in the community. I have fond memories of going to Lions Club with my dad and helping out with their community clean ups and fund raisers. He would also take me to City Council and School Board meetings and I just remember feeling a great desire to participate in things like that. Through my service in BYUSA I have felt like I’m starting that process. I got involved in the “governing body” of my current community and I feel good about that.

I enjoyed the visit we had from Brother Ward’s friend the Mayor. He is exactly the type of guy I want to be. I love civic involvement. The lesson that BYUSA and the Leadership class have taught me is that you can be involved at any level. You do not have to wait until you are in a position to run for Senator before you get civically involved.

The best example of this principle in my BYUSA experience was Hannah Bambrough. She served on the original Care Week committee as the financial wizard and in the second semester she had the seemingly small job of filling out the BLAST forms so that the clubs could get their events advertised. Although this was a job that took her less than an hour a week, she was always there, every Monday at 2pm, sitting at the area table filling out forms and lifting the spirits of those in proximity. She didn’t have much time to do more than that but she did it better than anyone could have. She understood that her part was a small one in the big picture of things, but she was involved to the degree which she was able. It could have been easy for her to say, “Peace out,” and keep that hour every week for herself.
I want to be like that regardless of how busy I may think I am. There is always time to do something and there is always something to do.

GOING FORTH TO SERVE IN THE WOLFLEY HOME

My service this year has reaffirmed in my mind the importance of “ministering” to people on their individual needs. There is no cover-all formula or one size fits all good deed. I truly believe that service should always have that personalized touch. I never want to treat Hilary, our children, or any member of our family like generic bums, flipping a metaphorical thoughtless quarter in their general direction. They need personalized and specialized attention and service. All service is good but some service can be void of emotion, feeling, care, and thought. Sometimes we get caught up in the fact that we’re doing service and do not take the time to consider how it is being done.

One of the great treats of this year was the opportunity to meet and watch Brother Cox in action. I have noticed that he has a personal touch with everyone. He never even gives a generic greeting. When you’re speaking with this fine man you feel like you’re the only one who he has any interest in.

A special thing, one which I will remember and cherish forever, is when he came to our intramural basketball game to cheer us on in the tournament. He had to leave early the next morning, but there he was on the sideline, cheering and shouting and encouraging us on to an overtime victory. The following Monday he sent me an email with some kind words of congratulations for the team and some personal words of appreciation and encouragement for me. I can’t remember the last time I was so touched.

This is the type of service which needs to be given in the home. It is so easy to feel like you are taken for granted in a family situation. Sometimes all you need is a little personalized service of a physical or even just a verbal nature, to make you feel like someone special again.

This has been a rewarding year for me personally. I have greatly enjoyed my time in BYUSA and especially in the clubs area. This organization has changed me for the better. It has made me a more complete man and servant of the people. I know that I am much better prepared to go forth to serve because of the things I entered BYUSA to learn.