In Love Again

I am loving my church calling again. 
I have been in Primary for over 3 years now.  I was the pianist for about 14 months, and then I have been the chorister for the last 2 years. 
Last year, I was really struggling by the time the program was over.  I just was really annoyed with the children and they were bugging me a lot.  Even some of the teachers were starting to bug me. 
I had talked to our Primary President about midway through the year and told her that I was getting burned out.  I wanted to finish out the year, but after that I was done.
Well, I never heard anything in December about being released.  I finally talked to the Primary President and she told me the Bishop had no intention of releasing me. 
I’ll be honest with you.  I went home and cried.  I didn’t want to be in there anymore.  I was a little bitter for a couple of weeks.  And then I decided that I needed an attitude change.  I wasn’t getting released, so I could either have a bad attitude and be miserable, or I could change my attitude.
I chose to change my attitude, and I am so glad that I did.  I am having so much fun again!  The children are responding really well and have learned the song so good.  And have I mentioned how much I love the song we have been learning this month?  :-)

Tomorrow in Primary, I will be teaching a new song. "I Know That My Savior Loves Me"

I am so in love with this song. However, there is something wrong.

I have yet to be able to sing this song without crying. Falling into a blubbery mess would be more accurate. It is so beautiful and fills me with hope.


A long time ago in a beautiful place,
Children were gathered 'round Jesus.
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.

I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.

Now I am here in a beautiful place,
Learning the teachings of Jesus.
Parents and teachers will help guide the way,
Lighting my path ev'ry day.
Wrapped in the arms of my Savior's love,
I feel His gentle touch.
Living each day, I will follow His way,
Home to my Father above.

I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.
I know that my Savior loves me.


Here is a link to the music if you want to hear it. I Know That My Savior Loves Me

Isn't that beautiful? Now imagine 75 children singing that out with all their hearts. I will never make it through!

My dirty little secret

I am going to let you in on a secret. 
First, it's no big secret that  when I am leading the music in Primary, I forget the words.  A lot.  I know the words, I just blank out when I am in front of all those people! 
However, sometimes I like to stop singing to see if the children know the words.  I will stop and listen to them singing.
Except...
...that is usually because I have forgotten the words again, and I am trying to cover.  I am so ashamed! 
And now you all know.

Primary Helpers Choosing Sticks

I made these for Primary. I hate choosing kids for helpers because if I do it on my own, I will always pick my favorites (yes, I have favorites, but I will never tell who they are!). This is the fairest way I have found. I have all the children's names on the sticks, even the inactive ones.

I draw them from the "Choose Me" container. Then their stick gets put into the "Chosen" container. If they aren't there, their stick still gets put in the "Chosen." When every stick has been chosen, they all go back into "Choose Me" and we start over.

Everyone knows they are going to get a turn, so I don't have any problems. The younger ones struggle at the beginning, but they learn that they will get a turn. It is wonderful.