primary.

When I was called to be the primary chorister I was super nervous. I have worked with the teens my whole life. Never worked with short people--ever. Hence the nerves. I didn't realize exactly how nervous I was until I got up the lead that first day. I was so scared I sang off key (which may not be entirely abnormal for me) and I couldn't remember the song. I cried and cried after primary ended. It went like that for about two months.

That was back in November.

Since the beginning of the year we have been learning songs for the program in the fall. One of the songs is "Choose the Right" from the Hymn Book. Have you ever tried to teach a three year old a song they don't know when they can't read the words and it has words like "digression" in it? We had been working on the song for a few weeks, and I was feeling like they weren't getting it. It was practically a Sister Hodges solo every time we ran through the song and I had tried EVERYTHING to get them to get it. Here is what happened:

I pulled out a cartoon picture of a lion that I had colored and laminated that had the word "STRONG" underneath of it. I asked what the picture was. They said a hippo. Kidding. They said lion of course. I asked if a lion was loud or quiet, and they said that lions roar really loud. I then told them that if they see my lion, they have to sing STRONG like a lion--that doesn't mean we roar or shout, but that we use our strong voices to sing. Then I crossed my fingers and cued the pianist.

The kids sang every word to choose the right. They sang with gusto and enthusiasm as they held their choose the right shields in the air (I gave each of them one to hold up every time we said 'choose the right') and I started to cry. I never expected to be overcome with the spirit in primary. That happens when you have in depth lessons in gospel doctrine class doesn't it? Not when you are singing songs about smiles and having very basic instructions for kids. I couldn't have been more wrong. Shouldn't primary be the place where you feel the spirit most? When we become meek and humble like a little child, we are more susceptible to the Spirit. At least that is what Christ taught in the scriptures.

I am loving my calling. I never thought I would. There is no growth in your comfort zone, and no comfort in your growth zone.

I love primay.