My Calling

{I will be blogging about New Moon, soon enough. For now though, I LOVED IT. I am proud of the fact that I have always been a Jacob fan, and didn't switch teams because of Taylor Lautner's body.}

Moving on. . . .



This is about what I do at church. {And beware-- I am about to vent a bit about callings and my personal feelings about it. Don't go getting all offended. I am not referring to anyone specifically. If you are easily offended by me, STOP READING HERE. If you continue on , it's your own fault.}

I do up the bulletin. It's pretty simple, basic and I do have fun playing with fonts. I honestly search out messages for the front page. Simple enough.

My other calling. . .

I teach the nursery children their songs and music. The Music Teacher for the little tikes. It's got its pros and cons, but suffice it to say,

I really do like it!!! It's awesome!

There are some super cute kids in my ward, and truthfully, some that aren't so much TO ME. I am sure that my kids fall in the category of NOT CUTE to some people out there. To others, maybe they find my kids irresistible. Who knows. People aren't usually that brutally honest.

Anyway, some of them have no regards to that personal bubble and get right up in my face when singing. ☺ Journee, Abby, Lydia, Taycie, Preston, Isaac and Hunter, and Kenzie...just to name a few! They are so fun!

Some sit in the back and never even smile at me. {I hope that will change with time...Miyah!}

Others are totally listening, but will not play along. {Usually Ryan, but this week he did awesome! Jaron. Little cute stinkers!}

And still some will do all the actions but never sing the song. {Reese, Reese, Cage and Grady. Maybe they are nervous in front of their peers to let that voice out! Who knows! I bet at home they are singing like crazy!}

My nursery child? Well Jo Jo bounces off the floor and won't sit still to save her life, but she sings at the top of her lungs. She seems to love having me come into her class...like she is so proud of me...that I am her mom. It's cute and flattering.

They all seem to like me, but kids are great that way. So easily enticed and persuaded. I could smell awful, be relatively ugly to my peers, and have a disability or be old or something, and they would still like me. So to have them like me isn't that much of a surprise. They'd like anyone who came into to class to entertain and sing to them, right??

(I mention some of these kids by name for my sake, it helps me to remember them, plus I don't want to forget them. I can't wait to see them grow up a bit! It's gonna be great.)

The class that has the oldest kids, the ones who will go into Primary as Sunbeams, well they are by far the best at following directions and singing. They are pretty cute. Makes me wonder why it's such a struggle to find teachers for them. I think that many, 15+ probably, have flat out said they will not teach in primary or nursery to the bishop's face..

So foolish. I will admit that though I have my reservations about teaching the little kids, I would NEVER say NO to a calling to teach the kids. If the Savior were to come to church, I don't think he would go to Sunday School, or High Priests. No, I think he would go straight to primary and nursery. I imagine He would surround himself with those little children. So to think of turning down a calling where He himself would be. . . well, I just don't ever want to have to sit there at that judgement bar and tell Him why I didn't take that calling. Not me. I make plenty of mistakes, but this isn't one I hope to never make.

I have always had a special place in my heart for those who serve in nursery and primary. I appreciate all they do to teach my children. And I think that if you have children and turn down callings in that area, you shouldn't be allowed to send your kids to nursery/primary. Take your turn. If everyone would just take a turn there...good grief.

I know that Amy spends more time worrying about teachers for the kids than the kids. That is so wrong.

I know finding willing people to serve in those callings is something that Kyle and the rest of the Bishopric struggle with.

It's just flat out sad.

Guess the same goes for finding speakers.

What a joke, really what a joke.






So, anyway, I just really am glad that I was asked to fulfill this calling. I may not be that great at it, and I may have lots to learn from these little ones, but I am glad it's my turn to be there.

I would guess that there are a few women in RS that have wondered why I keep slipping out of RS. Maybe no one notices. But spending 40 minutes singing the silly songs that normally drive me up the wall when my kids won't stop singing them, well that is the best way to spend time at church.

I found this article online at lds.org. If you are still reading, not only are you a great friend, but if you continue to read this last part, I applaud you. You are willing to be educated even more about this subject of accepting and declining callings (and releases, I might add.)

I know that I have plenty to learn still about being a good faithful member of the Lord's true church. But I do know that I am on the right path. And that feels good.

“Are there ever any circumstances that justify not accepting a Church job?”

Victor L. Brown, “Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, Mar. 1973, 50

Answer/Bishop Victor L. Brown

In the Church we do not aspire to nor seek positions. Rather, we are called through inspiration by those in authority. It is not uncommon for the one receiving the call to consider himself inadequate for the assignment. He, of course, is inadequate if left to his own abilities. It is essential that each worker in the Church enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord if he is to be effective in carrying out his responsibilities.

In considering our answer to the priesthood officer extending the call, we should remember Nephi’s response to his father Lehi when asked to return to Jerusalem with his rebellious brothers to obtain the plates of brass. Notwithstanding the apparent impossible nature of the assignment, Nephi displayed his faith in the Lord when he said, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Ne. 3:7.)

I witnessed this same kind of faith a few years ago in New York City. I was there on business. On fast Sunday I found my way to the Manhattan Ward. I was a stranger, but I remember so clearly the testimony the young bishop bore before turning the meeting to the membership for testimony bearing. He explained that he was a student at Columbia University, working on his doctorate. He had a full-time job making a living for his young family of several children. He said in almost a pleading voice that he prayed constantly to the Lord not to release him from being bishop at least until after he had received his degree. He indicated that the blessings of the Lord had made it possible for him to be in the very highest percentile of his class. This young bishop knew as did Nephi that if he would do his part in accepting a call to serve, even though extremely difficult, the Lord would make him equal to the challenges.

This is the church of Jesus Christ. He is the head of the Church. Each one called is called for one purpose and that is to assist the Savior in bringing about his work and his glory, which he said was to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39.) What greater opportunity or blessing could come to one than this. This is why we are taught to accept every call that comes to us through the priesthood.

Notwithstanding this, on the rare occasion when the one extending the call may not know of some personal situation, it is not inappropriate to explain it to him. After he is fully acquainted with all factors, if he still desires that we serve, I believe it is our duty to respond.

I know that I have received blessings in my life from accepting callings, and have missed out on even greater blessings when I haven't fulfilled those callings to the best of my ability. I know that my callings to serve are more for me than for those I serve. And I know that the Lord loves me. That He wants me to have joy in this life, including when I serve in the church. And I share this for my memory's sake, my posterity who might some day read this online, and those of you who read it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Gina