I
am at a point in my life where different phases of my life are marked by a new
calling in the church. {Taking the place of school years or milestones as marking such things.}
I got totally knocked off of my feet and surprised with
such a change. Most all of my other callings I have had some sort of inkling or
heads up and known that a change was coming. Not this one! This one took me
completely by surprise and that combined with the feelings of leaving my old
calling, made it an emotional thing for me.
I
have been teaching a sweet group of kids for the past 1 ½ years. I was lucky
and got to move along with them with the new year too. I adore those kids and
enjoy teaching them, getting to know them better and serving them!
Last
Sunday the bishopric counselor met me in the doorway as I was leaving primary.
He asked if he could talk to me either that day or Wednesday. I didn’t want to
spend days wondering what was going on, so I went and talked with him right
then. The first thing he said was that they were grateful for my service as a
primary teacher and that I was released. It was a sucker punch to the gut! I
had no idea that a change was coming for me and had not thought that I would be
leaving my kids so soon. Then he told me that with that release came a new
calling. This was when I found myself holding my breath! I LOVE primary! I NEED
primary! Since they were releasing me from being a primary teacher, I knew that
I would just be teaching another class. I was worried that it was Sunday school
or Relief Society. The last thing I can handle right now is Relief Society!
I
was called to be the 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency.
OVERWHELMING!!!
I
don’t feel like I am ready for a “big kid” job and all that responsibility.
Although the other women in the presidency are quite close to my age, I feel
like the child. We are in very different phases of our lives and somehow in my
mind, that makes them more mature and ready for responsibility.
I
spent the entire week with mixed emotions rolling around inside me and the
wheels constantly turning of how I was going to handle this change. Thankfully
I was able to teach my primary class one more time. Yesterday when I was
released in Sacrament meeting, poor, sweet Talea (sitting right in front of me)
began to cry. I felt the same way about leaving them! When we got to class,
Toby also commented on being surprised at me not being their teacher anymore.
Sarah & Garret had not heard the news so the other kids got them caught up.
We had a pretty good lesson although we were all a bit distracted. After our
lesson, Sarah came and gave me a hug. She said, “I miss you already.” Then Toby
came over and threw his arms around me and said, “Thank you for being my
teacher.” Before primary was over I had received a lot of hugs from those kids
and thankfully I will still get to see them since I’m still going to be in
primary, it just won’t be in the same kind of relationship. Toby & Talea
made me promise to take a lot of pictures while I was at Harry Potter World in
Orlando for them.
After
church I met with the primary president and the previous 1st
counselor. I am very overwhelmed and feel like I need to get my feet underneath
me. I am excited to work with some amazing women and I am so glad that I get to
stay in the primary! I love that I have been there now for the past 7 years! I
have been lucky to serve in many different positions there as a primary
teacher, pianist, music teacher, class teacher and now presidency member.
