Ed Nelson
Registered User
Over at the Northern California Lodge where I am a member, I have been stressing and sweating for the last 4-5 months, but a couple of days ago, (most of) the stress has been lifted!
Several months ago, my Lodge Master asked me if I had begun working on my Master Mason proficiency...I had not, understanding it wasn't required (encouraged, but not required unless you wanted to progress thought he line). I had already done my EA and FC proficiencies in short form, which an option in California (the short form is just the obligation), and when I saw the MM was long form, I just put it out of my mind as something to do "later".
Well later came quickly when the Master asked me to progress from the lowly Junior Steward to the Junior Deacon. The Master and my coach encouraged me to begin my MM proficiency so it would be out of the way and done when I eventually work up to the South, where it is required.
I started working on it, and figured it to be about 2500ish words long. Had I done the EA and FC long form, it would have come more naturally, but it was like starting from scratch. Basically what I did was learn it one sentence at a time...a long and tough process. The words don't necessarily roll off the tongue.
Finally (FINALLY) after 4½ months of memorization, meeting with my coach, and many sleepless nights stressing, I presented my proficiency in Lodge during a specially-called meeting just for the presentation. Myself and our Junior Warden (who also did his after being raised 10 years ago) did them at the same time. I won't say my work was flawless, but I did pretty well, only needing prompting twice.
After the presentation, our Candidate Coach (who is pushing 90 and been the Coach for 15 years), called me to the alter, and asked if I was willing to take over his duties as Coach. I was honored and accepted, but now not only do I have to remember everything I memorized, I have to go back and learn the long forms of the EA and FC proficiencies! Dang!! I have 4 Entered Apprentices and 1 Fellow Craft member who are all floundering and we are in danger of losing them (our two newest EAs have never contacted the coach after being initiated 5 months ago). I have contacted them with with emails and a letter introducing myself as the new coach and am hoping to get them excited and interested again.
Also, I joined the Shrine as a new Noble a few months ago, and a couple of weeks ago was elected to the board of Directors of our local Shrine Club. I was voted in our mini-car club last Saturday and get my min-car in a couple of weeks. My plate is pretty full right now, but I'm super excited. It's awesome (and fun!!) to be involved.
It may be the enthusiasm of being new (I was just raised a year ago) and the shine may eventually fade, but I'm having a blast. Life is good!!
Several months ago, my Lodge Master asked me if I had begun working on my Master Mason proficiency...I had not, understanding it wasn't required (encouraged, but not required unless you wanted to progress thought he line). I had already done my EA and FC proficiencies in short form, which an option in California (the short form is just the obligation), and when I saw the MM was long form, I just put it out of my mind as something to do "later".
Well later came quickly when the Master asked me to progress from the lowly Junior Steward to the Junior Deacon. The Master and my coach encouraged me to begin my MM proficiency so it would be out of the way and done when I eventually work up to the South, where it is required.
I started working on it, and figured it to be about 2500ish words long. Had I done the EA and FC long form, it would have come more naturally, but it was like starting from scratch. Basically what I did was learn it one sentence at a time...a long and tough process. The words don't necessarily roll off the tongue.
Finally (FINALLY) after 4½ months of memorization, meeting with my coach, and many sleepless nights stressing, I presented my proficiency in Lodge during a specially-called meeting just for the presentation. Myself and our Junior Warden (who also did his after being raised 10 years ago) did them at the same time. I won't say my work was flawless, but I did pretty well, only needing prompting twice.
After the presentation, our Candidate Coach (who is pushing 90 and been the Coach for 15 years), called me to the alter, and asked if I was willing to take over his duties as Coach. I was honored and accepted, but now not only do I have to remember everything I memorized, I have to go back and learn the long forms of the EA and FC proficiencies! Dang!! I have 4 Entered Apprentices and 1 Fellow Craft member who are all floundering and we are in danger of losing them (our two newest EAs have never contacted the coach after being initiated 5 months ago). I have contacted them with with emails and a letter introducing myself as the new coach and am hoping to get them excited and interested again.
Also, I joined the Shrine as a new Noble a few months ago, and a couple of weeks ago was elected to the board of Directors of our local Shrine Club. I was voted in our mini-car club last Saturday and get my min-car in a couple of weeks. My plate is pretty full right now, but I'm super excited. It's awesome (and fun!!) to be involved.
It may be the enthusiasm of being new (I was just raised a year ago) and the shine may eventually fade, but I'm having a blast. Life is good!!