My Family

My Family

Monday, October 30, 2006

Nerves

So tell me it gets better.

I was just called to be a counselor in the Primary Presidency 3 weeks ago.
The first of those weeks, I was on vacation.
I attended Primary (the children's organization at our church) last Sunday and laughed A LOT.
I thought the kids were funny and adorable, and found humor in seeing them enjoy learning about...well, church things.

Fast forward to this week.
The other counselor has moved,
and the president was sick and needed to be at home.
That left me, and the secretary (who is also the pianist) there to "run the show".

I did this once before, 7 years ago.
I thought it would be simple this time around.
Ha.

The Lord has a nice way of reminding me that I need to be humble.

I FLAT OUT don't have the first clue what the expectations are for the children at church.
I know what MY expectations are for MY children for the one hour we are together every week during sacrament meeting, but I realize that I can't hold those expectations for a full 3 hours for the kids (even mine), even if they do have songs, activities and age-appropriate lessons.
So, I have to adjust my expectations so that I don't leave church frustrated every week.

And I need to have a long talk with the Primary president so that I know what her mindset is, and I need to have lots of patience, and I need to realize that even if they don't express it, maybe the kids are understanding and "getting" something from the time they spend in Primary.

And mostly, I need to be ok with the fact that working with Primary children is WAY different than working with Relief Society sisters, and that I really wanted a change after serving the mothers and wives of our congregation for 3 years.

I'd like to think it's just nerves, but I also know that God heard my prayer when I asked for change.
I definitely got what I asked for.

11 comments:

Amanda said...

Our primary presidency was just changed 2 weeks ago. I was the secretary. I really enjoyed serving in the primary. More so than I thought I would. The kids are so precious and the spirit is so strong with them. It was a blessing and a joy to serve them. It does get easier, and you will find your groove so to speak. Presidency meetings are a great help in ensuring you are all on the same page and know where and what direction to go.

Good luck, you will love it!

SalGal said...

I will probably go to hell for this, but...

I don't know why they ever called me to primary. I'm a grown-up person, not a kids person. I didn't have any wonderful experiences in my time there, but that was probably my fault.

I like to think I'm the exception, though. Most women love being in Primary. I know you will too. :-)

Anonymous said...

I have very limited experience with Primary- 6 months as a counselor. I liked it more than I thought I would, but I'm with salgal, I'm a grown-up person. I love my kids but don't have a ton of patience with others'.

Hang in there, I'm sure it will get better!

bec said...

You will do an amazing, phenomenal job. You always do.

bec said...

and it does get better! :) Change is usually just a crusty, unpleasant booger at first. The longer you stick with it, though, the better it gets. Smoother, polished, more familiar, and much much more fun.
Um, the booger-thing isn't the best analogy. But I'm not changing it. Hehe

Anonymous said...

I've been in the Primary in some capacity for about 15 years now. I must admit being in the Presidency was very difficult for me the entire time I was there. That was mostly because I'm not comfortable being in the spotlight. I'd rather sit back and be sort of un-noticed. We do have a very small ward and were consistently short on teachers and had several no-shows every week. That was challenging. It is a humbling calling but it has its great moments too. There is nothing like presenting a sharing time that the children really identify with and understand, or somehow touching a child's life. The children make it all worth it. I think you'll do a great job. The kids are going to learn so much from you. You have so much to offer them.
I'm a Primary teacher again and I love it!!!

Millie said...

It will get easier. Be glad you're not the chorister.

I'm making a list of things to NEVER pray for.

1) Humility
2) Patience... and now,
3) Change.

Thanks! ;)

Dawnyel said...

Uh, after Millie's comment...I'm our ward primary chorister! :)
I think the thing that has made a major difference this time than the last time I had this VERY same calling was the fact I was set apart! (Call me stoopid, but it works!)
I know it will get better! Doing new things is hard, but you will learn and grow, and the kids will love you!! (As long as you don't threaten them with spinach and broccoli instead of pizza, but that's another story...)

Millie said...

LOL... sorry Dawnyel, but that was not my favorite calling. I'm glad you're doing so well with it!

::hiding in the bushes, ashamed::

Anonymous said...

Whom God calls, God qualifies.
He won't have much work to do with you.
I believe in you!

Lara said...

I'm so scared of children, even my own! Good luck with your new calling. I'm wondering when my time will be up with Scouts but I'm scared I'll be put in YW or primary! I need to have another baby so they can't do that to me. That's a good reason to have another one right?