All Things in Order; Lake Powell and Soccer Balls

 

Journal Entry, February 6, 2022

We were set apart as missionaries on Thursday, February 3. I had thought to go to Lake Powell fishing on Friday for one last trip before our mission, but when we were set apart on Thursday, I had decided I would not go fishing but would instead focus on doing more training and review of policies.  Well, that evening as I was getting ready for bed, I was reading on the Church’s web site and there was a brief cartoon video about avoiding burn out and keeping balance in life.  It used the example of kicking a soccer ball at a goal.  Hit it too hard and it just flies over the goal and doesn’t do much good. Hit is too lightly and it doesn’t do any good either. Balanced effort is the key. 

Well, I didn’t think a whole lot about it as I climbed in bed. But when I awakened at about 515 am, I thought about going fishing and rather than feel I would be better to stay and review policies, I thought about the video from the night before and thought, “I need to go fishing – that will do me more good in the long run. There will be plenty of hours reviewing policies once I start my mission”.  I got up and was on my way by about 615 am. 

I had a great day!  I went alone and enjoyed the time to drive through the amazingly beautiful land in which we live, had time to think, and just enjoy the day.  I went over the Blue Notch and arrived at the Lake around 930.  The water was way down!  Hard to believe it’s so low. 

I went back to the same area we had camped with the young men last spring.  There was not another person down there – not even a boat came along. I had that whole lake, amazing red cliffs and blue sky all to myself! After just a bit, I caught a striper.  Then I caught another, and another!  I fished from one place for the next 90 minutes and landed 15 lovely stripers. I had gotten lucky and found a spot where a school of stripers were hanging out.  I caught them on a silver lure.  Getting one on, it would excite the group and a few times I would hold the rod with a fish on between my legs and then then cast another pole and get two on at a time.  This got a bit complicated so I soon just went back to using just one pole. In any case, it was a lot of fun. 

The biting slowed by about noon, so I filleted out the 15 I had caught and worked my way back to the truck. Had a wonderful drive back arriving back home around 5 pm.  I had a great day. I had no guilt at all about taking the day off to go fishing and enjoy this beautiful land. I think being a senior missionary will be a different experience than being a young missionary.  I feel the Lord is telling me I will be a better servant if I use wisdom and balance.  Yes, there will be times when the hours will be long. Julie and I should continually look for opportunities to serve. But we will be at our best if we take the time to be fresh and alive.