So I can finally disclose my secret

A little over a month ago, Mr. Perfect and I were called into the Bishop's office for an interview. It wasn't just a plain-jane, "How are you doing?" interview. It was a new calling. For me. And it's more than a little overwhelming. They asked me to be the Young Women's president in our ward.

For anyone reading this who isn't LDS, the Young Women's organization is for all girls ages 12 through 18, LDS or not. There is a religious class each Sunday, activities each Tuesday, youth dances, and special activities like a week-long camp each summer and occasional youth conferences or pioneer treks. In our ward, we have five to ten girls who come each Sunday, and twenty to twenty-five who come to the activities on Tuesday nights.

Why am I more than a little terrified of this calling? I have never worked with the Young Women. Never. No callings as a counselor, adviser, camp coordinator, nothing. As a young woman, I was never in a class presidency (there were fourteen girls my age who were active in church while I was growing up -- yes, fourteen, my age alone). I went to Oakcrest as a Beehive, but didn't do the regular camp the other years because it was always the same week a Granite Youth Symphony tour.

I am excited for this experience. I think the Young Women's program (and also the Young Men's program) is vital for teenagers. It's such a turbulent time in life. Teens are trying to figure everything out. They are trying to figure themselves out, and who and what they want to be for the rest of their lives. It is so important for them to have parents and leaders (both secular and religious) who are supportive, loving, and encouraging. When we empower teens, it allows them to become empowered adults. I know that there are many people in the world today who want the youth to believe that relying on Heavenly Father and the teachings of Christ will bind and control them when the opposite is actually true. The freedom you have spiritually, emotional, and physically when you follow the commandments gives you the courage and strength to do amazing things and become an amazing person. I've seen it in my life and the lives of friends and family members.

If you have advice or suggestions for lessons or activities, please, please, please come and rescue me. I am in the tall tower of Swamp Castle.