The interview

It’s been a busy and lovely few weeks that I’ve been an absent blogger. 

On Friday, July 10th I got up super early and packed up every thing I thought I could possibly need and headed to the Visitors’ Center for my first media interview for my Communications calling. 

I was so nervous, but I did everything I could possibly do to be ready. I studied and practiced and prayed and counseled with my leaders and got a blessing and asked for prayers and served others and took notes and researched. By that day I was so ready to get it over with!

I got to the VC early and checked myself in the restroom and prayed and practiced some more while I waited. I wanted to make sure I was early so I left before 7. We had learned a few days before the interview that filming on temple grounds requires approval, so that was a bummer, but we made it work. We did my interview first and then they did the rest of their segment. 

I had asked to receive the questions ahead of time and was told they don’t like to do that because it’s really just a conversation. But then I was surprised by her questions. It wasn’t what we’d talked about in our pre-interview meeting and I left feeling unsettled and anxious. Like I woke up with an upset tummy because I felt so much anxiety. I just really prayed that the Lord would make more of me than I am. 

Here’s what’s going on in my head - stand up straight, don’t sway, keep your hands below your belly button, don’t nod, don’t slow blink, use your normal voice, don’t make a weird face, keep your gut sucked in, and most importantly, remember your core message. 

I stayed while they filmed the rest of their segment where Markette records the headline news from Montgomery County and then I went into the temple to bring a little peace to my heart. I chatted with the security guards and then Scott Parker at the temple and what a gift it is getting to know so many people outside of my normal orbit. 

I was nervous but then went to girls camp and then the beach and was able to keep my mind off the editing that was happening. I had to coordinate some more filming while I was at camp and questioned if in the future I should do things like go to camp because there were several things for my calling that I was missing. Ginny said it’s not always this busy, so that’s good. 

The first day at the beach Ginny texted me and said the show was so good and she was so impressed. I felt sick watching it. It was just Adi, Frankie and I, and I was holding their hands while we watched. I was *so* nervous. 

And it was ok. 

I don’t think I did great, but I didn’t make a fool of myself or make the church look bad. I didn’t really get to share my core message that I wanted to, but I did remember my facts and hopefully was warm and welcoming. 

And I did slow blink and nod, but otherwise pretty much remembered all my other training techniques. And now that’s under my belt and I’ll never have to do a first interview again. 

The humility and complete reliance on the Lord is something I’m not unfamiliar with but is pretty challenging and why do I have to keep learning this? I love to serve and i love the Lord and I’ll try my best to do what is asked of me.