I like to play soccer (football). When I lived on Guam it was all I really cared much about. But being a decent-at-best player myself I didn't have very high expectations as I entered freshman year and planned to try out for the team. Our school was small and no champion-winner so it wasn't absurd for a freshman to make the team. I decided I was going to do all in my power to try and make the team, but if I didn't make it I wouldn't be surprised.
I played club soccer and worked out to try to get in shape for the season. I still had a big weakness though: I was epically slow. Like President Packer would have had a good shot at beating me in a foot race. This was a problem because everyone knows that a mile run is a staple of any Guam high school soccer tryout. I knew if I couldn't break 7 minutes I had next to no chance of making the team, especially as a freshman. Either way I kept preparing and hoping that I would be able to impress the coach in the other parts of the tryout.
The season got closer and the schedule for tryouts was announced. A Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Alright. All I had to do was take 50 GU Shots before the day of the run and I might have some hope. All was going well until about 2 weeks before the day of tryouts. My parents announced in a family meeting that we would be taking a long weekend and going on a temple trip to the Philippines on the Thursday and Friday of tryouts. Crap. My parents, being the kind and fair people they are, and knowing about tryouts as well, gave me the option of going with them or staying home. If I stay home I get 3 full days of tryouts to try to impress the coach in spite of being slower than molasses. If I go I would get a once in a life time experience of going to the PI and visiting the temple and the MTC and having a good time with my family. In the end I decided to follow what I had been taught for so many years and sacrifice for the Lord and His temple.
I talked to the coach before hand and told him I would only be there for 1 day of the tryouts. Of course, he didn't pay much attention because I was 6'0, 120 lbs with a voice 2 octaves too high (freshman year was weird). All I remember him saying was "At least you will be there to show me how you run!"
Crap.
Well the day of tryouts comes around with my hopes of making the team sitting at an abysmal 0%. I get out to the field and the coach yells "First things first, let's run!"
Let's just say I did not break 7 minutes. Not even close. Not fast. Definitely slow. My hopes have now plummeted to depths deeper than Donald Trump's pockets.
We finish running and then move into a couple of drills. This is more of my comfort zone but there is no way I can ever make up for my weakness in speed. Until, that is, we start shooting. The drill is to sprint a route, receive a pass, and hit a one touch shot into the back of the net.
I get to the front of the line, sprint my route, get a nice pass and WHACK. Wow, that felt good. I looked up just in time to see the ball fly straight into the top right corner with my one eye and the coach look over his clipboard and me with my other eye. I get back in line feeling very appreciative of the lucky shot. I get up to bat again and run the same route. As I get the pass I wind up, time it right, and WHACK. Another perfect upper V. 2 lucky shots in a row bring my hopes of making the team back up to a whopping 2%. There's still no way he will pick me though. The coach blows his whistle signaling the end of the day and tells everyone to be there at the same time tomorrow.
The next day comes around and instead of trying my luck on the field I board a plane to the Philippines. For the whole weekend my family and I visit the temple, the MTC, explore Manila, and eat a bunch of nasty Filipino fast food spaghetti. All in all we have a great time together as a family and feel the Spirit in the house of the Lord. I love the temple.
Monday morning. Back to school. I've already decided in my head that I didn't make the team. I walk into first period, my friend Zach gives me a high five and I sit down to wait for the bell to ring. Wait, "What was that high five for?"
"You haven't checked? You made the team!" Zach says.
I shoot up from my chair and sprint to the coach's office where the team is supposed to be posted. Half-way there I realize that Zach had to be lying to me but I have to check anyway.
I scan the white sheet of paper posted with a list of names and at the very bottom I see my name.
"Sam Osborn"
It's spelled wrong and I'm pretty sure the list was from best to worst but who cares?
I made the team!!!
*freeze-frame fist pump*
I went on to have a great season and eventually held a starting position by the time we traveled to Japan for our final tournament.
It wasn't until years later that I looked back and saw the miracle that had really happened. The Lord had blessed me. I made a decision to put his work before my own will and he blessed me. Those 2 lucky shots. The fact that at least I didn't pass out running. Heavenly Father blessed me and made up for my weaknesses. His grace is sufficient.
I know that Heavenly Father blesses us for keeping his commandments. When we sacrifice for his will we will be blessed ten fold. I know that the temple is the house of the Lord. Only in the temple can we receive the full blessings that God has made available for us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.