Paul and I have one of the best callings ever: Primary teachers! We teach the 7-8 and 8-9 year-olds in our ward, and we have a blast. They are SO inquisitive at this age, and they are finally starting to "get it" in terms of the gospel--partially because biologically their brains are developing the ability to reason and empathize, partially because they all come from warm, loving families who teach them the gospel at home every moment they can, and partially because they have been baptized and have the gift of the Holy Ghost with them.
Regardless of the reasons, it is SO fun to see them grow in their testimonies, listen to the CRAZY-deep questions they come up with, and do our best to answer them as we teach them about the gospel. It is even more fun to help them recognize the Spirit as it influences them in their lives! Just last week one of our kids was talking about how there's an apostle that speaks so powerfully to him that he just can't hardly talk afterwards, it's like there's nothing you can do or say to deny the truth of what he says. I said, "Do you know what that is?! That's the SPIRIT!" And even though this is a very precocious child, a new connection was made and he understands now a little bit better that the Spirit speaks to us all in many different ways. Moments like that happen nearly every week, and between that and trying to answer their incredibly vast range of questions, Paul and I feel like sometimes we get to learn SOOOO much more than our kids ever do.
It's also been a blessing for us as a couple, because Paul and I do not get to see much of each other these days. It is HEAVEN to spend all day Sunday with him and with our kids. :) And a good trial-run for when we ever have our own...
Well, in just under two weeks we are having our Primary Program, and Paul and I have desperately tried to learn some of the new songs--"My Eternal Family" and "The Family Is of God." Any of you with children or callings in Primary know how adorable these songs are. It is even more adorable to hear an entire choir of 3-6 year-olds screaming out the chorus because that's all they really know! But, it turns out, they are better than us. We have been spending our FHMs (Family Home Mornings! :) ) and a little time in the evenings lately trying to nail down the words to these two songs--I don't know why it is so difficult for us to master them, but it is what it is. We're trying. We can't let a few 8-year-olds show us up. ;)
Keep your fingers crossed for us.
I love primary! That's mostly where I've had callings since I've been married, and while I haven't experienced all the other auxiliaries I think it's probably the best place. Good luck learning those songs - aren't they terrific? What clear and powerful messages are being taught to the children as they learn those songs!
ReplyDeleteCeleste! I am in Primary too (have been for about 5 months now). The song "My Eternal Family" is super hard to learn. I hear ya! I think it's because it's supposed to be sung so fast. But I love hearing the children sing those songs too, especially "The Family is of God". Right after I got called to Primary I went home and downloaded the music and started playing it. It made me cry when I heard it in Primary and sometimes it still makes me cry when I sing it to my children. Isn't it fun to hear the little children singing really loudly! Our Primary chorister had to remind the children that they need to sing loud, but to enunciate the words, not yell them (especially the fast "My Eternal Family" song).
ReplyDeleteHope you guys have an awesome time serving in the Primary. That sounds so fun!