My life just got a whole lot busier!
Last week, I was called to serve as the
Primary President in our Ward at Church. It's the leader of the children from ages 18 months to 11 years old. I oversee 67 children and 15 teachers for Sunday School and combined Sunday meetings- called Primary. I oversee the weekday activities like Activity days for the girls and Scouts for the boys. I also participate in our Ward Council. Whew! That's only 3 sentences and I'm already tired! LOL January must be the month for meetings because I already have like 7 meetings I have been asked to attend on top of the Sunday meetings. Welcome to crazy town!
The Primary organization of the Church has the responsibility to help parents teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ and to prepare boys to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and girls to become righteous young women. Through Sunday meetings and weekday activities, the Primary auxiliary helps children learn and live gospel principles, prepare to make and keep baptismal covenants, and build strong, enduring testimonies.
I'm excited but a bit nervous about the responsibility. I have been serving as the Primary Secretary for the last couple months so I feel blessed to have got to know these sweet kids and the amazing teachers that are down there. (We meet in the basement of our building) Two counselors were called to serve with me and I am super excited for their sweet spirits and their dedication to take this task upon them as well.
This year our Primary Theme is
I Know My Savior Lives. I love that The Church has everything so nice and organized. I love that all over the world each Sunday all the cute Primary kids are learning about the same things. It feels like you belong to something bigger than yourself. I love it! I pray that with our yearly theme and the monthly themes that I can strengthen my testimony and these sweet kids' testimonies of our Savior. What a big task!
This new change has made me contemplate those positions that I have had the opportunity to serve in during my years as a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's fun to look back at the different things that the Lord has called me to.
I don't remember if I did many callings before I got married???
But shortly after, Brett and I were called to serve as
Primary teachers for the 10/11 years old. I remember being so nervous if I had to teach the lesson. I would basically just read it and hardly ever looked up from the manual. I even cried on days that Brett wasn't going to be there because I was so nervous!
I then had the opportunity to serve as a
Counselor in the Young Women's organization. I loved the President and learned so much from her. I also had the chance to earn my medallion since that wasn't something I did in my youth. It was extra special for me.
My mind gets a little blurry but I'm pretty sure I served as a
Ward Missionary in that ward as well. And somewhere I served on the
Enrichment Committee too.
During the time that we lived with the Sadlers, I served as the
Nursery Leader. It was chaotic but so much fun!
In Fargo, I had quite the variety of callings. I got to be a
Teacher in Young W omens. I also taught the
Gospel Principles Sunday School Class. By then, I had learned to not be so scared and actually started to enjoy to teach classes. I still like to be prepared but now know how to teach
instead of
read a lesson. So fun to see how the Lord helps you develop talents that you didn't even know you had!
At the age of 32, I was called as the
Relief Society President. I had spent 9 months serving as the
RS Secretary so I had been trained a little but it was still a daunting experience. I learned a lot those couple years. I learned that you just have to do YOUR best in whatever the Lord asks you to do. I developed a pretty thick skin during that time realizing that
not everyone will like you and that's ok. We never know the whole story of why people say or act the way they do. We just need to know when to speak up and when to let it go! ;) And remember that the Lord will make your efforts mean something.
Brett got put into the Bishopric so they released me from RS pretty quickly. I then got to go play and teach the little ones in
Nursery again. I loved it there and it was a great break from the adult drama. LOL
It seems I may be missing something in here but I then served as the
Sunbeam Teacher. Oh man! Could I write a book about the craziness and fun and sweetness of a class full of 3 year olds! LOL During this time, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through Chemo. I lost all my hair and wore a variety of wigs. But those kids just loved me!!! One of my favorite stories was when we were doing a Primary Program Practice. I took all the little Sunbeams for a potty break. On our way back to the practice, I stopped to chat with someone. Most of the kids had made it back to their seats without me. Except this one little boy that tugged on the Presidents dress and said, "Can you help me find that teacher with the different hairs?" So cute! He knew who I was and love me all the same! Sweet boy!
Then our adventures in Montana began. I was quickly put in as a
Relief Society Counselor. I served with a solid presidency that had been together a long time. I enjoyed the organization and friendship with these ladies. I still love it when our paths cross.
When we switched wards, Brett and I tried to stay under the radar for a bit. We volunteered several times to sub down in Primary. Well... it may have backfired on me. LOL Just kidding! After subbing for a few classes and Sharing Time- they put me in as the
Primary Secretary. I loved that I got to learn all the names of the kids and teachers as I helped with the Primary Mail. (assignments for speaking in Sharing Time the next week) That's the second time that serving as secretary has been a training ground. Within 4 months, they called me to be the
Primary President. (currently) Note to self--- beware of the Secretary position. LOL
It's fun to look back at all that I have learned as I have served the Lord. Pray that I learn the lessons He has in store for me now! ;)
