The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Jay F. during the 2009-2010 League.

Mission: Tactics - Final Report

When I first started working on Ambassador League, I didn't fully understand what I was getting myself into. My plan was to fulfill the requirements steadily throughout the year, and to try and finish without going to too much trouble. That was what I planned; however, that is not at all what happened. In fact, not one thing worked out the way that I planned.

At the beginning of the year, I had that mindset that everyone should try to avoid. You know what I'm talking about. That, "Oh, I've got time. I'll do it later. What's the worst that could happen? It wasn't that I was just being lazy, either. There were a few other things that got in the way, too, like the fact that it was senior year. Now all seniors-whether past or present, in high school or college- know what I'm talking about. Senior year of high school is the busiest, most anxiety producing time that most U.S. citizens under eighteen have ever experienced. It is the time when applications are due, college choices must be made, tests must be taken, and close friends must be parted with. No longer can you get away with the "I'm just a kid" excuse. You are now-or should be-a functioning adult. All eyes seem to be on you as you try to figure out what you are going to do with your life in the limited time that you have left. Graduation invitations must go out, and farewell speeches must be prepared. Everything goes so fast that you don't have time to catch your breath.

This is a pretty good description of what happened to me. I began the year knowing that Ambassador League would be a challenge to complete, but somehow I convinced myself that I had time and that somehow, everything would "fall into place." After all, it always had before, right? Wrong. It's actually funny the way that works. You can go through any number of really difficult situations convinced that you have reached rock bottom. But later, when you're looking back on it, the circumstances really don't seem so bad. In fact, we can even convince ourselves that the situation happened almost the exact opposite of the way it actually occurred. This is the mistake that I made. I ignored the fact that the assignments I had left were still incomplete, telling myself that when the opportunity presented itself, I would do each assignment in kind. Sadly, this is the mindset that I used throughout the year. Needless to say, everything did the exact opposite of what I had hoped.

I learned a lot of things about myself during Ambassador League, some good and some bad. I also developed some skills that I may not have had before. And so, after going through my various experiences as an Ambassador League Agent, I have developed two lists, both of which I will elaborate on in detail in some detail in the hopes that I can help save future agents from making some of the mistakes that I made. I will start with my "Not to do" list. As you have probably guessed, this list is just like a "To Do" list, except for a key difference: everything on this list should be avoided at virtually ALL in order to ensure the best Ambassador League experience possible. The "Not To Do's " are as follows:

1. Don't forget to save your paper as you go along. I had several close calls while writing my essays, but I have been blessed with a mother who has saved me much anxiety with a simple phrase: "Save as you go."
2. When you go into an interview, don't forget to bring a tape recording device with brand new batteries and enough space left to record the entire interview-running out during an interview is NOT helpful. Note taking is good, but having actual word-for-word quotes that you can draw from is far better than driving yourself crazy trying to take notes while listening to a speaker who may talk faster than your weary hand can write.
3. When doing Bible studies, don't make them harder than they really are. I am convinced that I took three times longer on each Bible study than I actually needed to. You are not expected to write these studies like you are a seasoned scriptural scholar. If you can come up with a strong opinion that is supported by scripture, do the study and be DONE with it.
4. Finally, don't focus on what other Ambassador League Agents are doing. Everyone has methods that work best for them, so don't try to exactly as they do. Remember, just because he wrote it faster doesn't mean that he did any better than you. Faster does not equal better.

My "To Do" list is very simple. It is pretty much me reaffirming what you should already know. 1. Be polite to those who are taking the time to help you fulfill a requirement. Even if it's something as simple as filling out a verification form, remember that they are taking time out of their schedule to help you out. 2. If you need help, ask for it. There are a lot of people who want you to succeed, and they are very willing to get you through some of the challenges that you will likely face. 3. And finally, don't' forget that you represent more than just yourself. Be a true example of what it means to be like Christ.

Both of these lists summarize what I have learned throughout my Ambassador League experience. Whether I was writing a report on my experience volunteering with Right To Life of Michigan, working as a campaigner on election day and using campaign slogans that I came up with on the spot, I gained a ton of valuable skills and experiences that will last me a lifetime. I was privileged to meet new and interesting people, including an Appeals Court judge, a Chief of Police, and the President of a successful credit union, each of whom taught me many things that I didn't previously know or fully understand. The very things that I would have been hesitant to go after have become things that I have enjoyed and learned from. I feel as if I am being prepared for some great plans that God has in store for me, and I can't wait to find out what they are. I have been pushed and prodded in ways that I never would expected, and have emerged victorious. I am grateful that God saw fit to work through someone as unworthy as me during my ambassador league experience, teaching me that loving Christ is more important than anything else that we can do on this earth. Christ has redefined me, and I pray that I show Him my gratitude the way that I live the rest of my life. Looking back on this Ambassador League experience, I am reminded of the words of Colossians 3:23(NIV), which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart