Christmas Pajamas

I sewed like a mad woman to get the pj's done in time to take pictures for Christmas cards. Then the printer ran out of ink and I was tired of having so many unfinished projects. So the cards went out without pictures; just a note to check the blog.

Sorry for the lack of effort. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed this week (though I'm trying hard to fight it) and needed the stack of Christmas cards out of the house. It does feel better to be checking things off my list.

I got a new calling (RS Sec) and I'm trying to adjust mentally to all that I'll have to do there as well as survive the remaining Christmas commitments. And I haven't been released from choir yet, so there's still that in the back of my mind...somewhere.

Anyway, here are all the shots I got of the kids. One of the reasons I gave up on getting pictures out was because I couldn't find one I really liked. So you get them all. :) It's too big of a challenge to get 6 little people to cooperate for pictures. When the camera batteries start going out, the shots get even worse. Fun times for all.

Blessings

As many (or most) of you know, my calling at church is Ward Choir Director. When the words actually came out of the Bishop's mouth, I wanted to run screaming from the room. But I didn't.

Instead, I swallowed a big, sour lump in my throat and squeaked out an "OK." I don't know many people that would LOVE this calling. But I can think of some people much more qualified than myself. Apparently, that doesn't really matter.

I strongly believe that you accept callings given to you. I don't think church assignments are the same as work place assignments. Church assignments aren't made to showcase your talents and achievements. You don't "earn" your calling (unless you go around the day before saying how you DON'T want the calling...maybe that's payback). hehe Sometimes, a person really isn't suited to a specific task. And, unless there is a legal issue (unfortunately, there are bad people everywhere and they shouldn't be put into certain situations), I think it's best to give your assignment your best effort and let the leadership decide when it's obviously not going to work and find you another job.

I don't really think that EVERY calling is directly inspired from heaven (though many definitely are). Sometimes a job needs to be done and there are several people who are likely to perform it well, or at least try. I DO believe that once you accept a calling, you are supported and given the strength you need to accomplish your task. That's where heaven steps in.

So back to the choir. I have never had a calling that made me feel so uncomfortable. NEVER. Even being a missionary was less intimidating. (Of course, I choose to do that one.) And then to sweeten the deal, I started at the very beginning of my pregnancy. So I got to try to be encouraging and helpful when I felt like crawling into a big hole and murmuring over my afflictions.

But there are some awesome, humble and amazing people who show up each week for choir practice. I'm just glad they come back! I feel like the idiot leading the wise when I'm up there giving direction. I have no formal music training and no experience leading. I had to teach myself how to lead in 6/8 time. And these people thank ME! They are the ones doing all the work and they tell me 'thanks.' It's a strange situation for me.

Then, the past couple of weeks I noticed an unexpected blessing. My personal piano playing has improved. Don't be too impressed. All I'm saying is that I can now play 2 flats or sharps in the music a lot better than I could before. (Don't think I'm ready to sub in Primary, Angela!) I haven't been using the piano for choir; meaning I haven't been spending more time at the piano and therefore getting more practice than usual. I just find my fingers working the keys a little easier.

I attribute this unexpected blessing to serving in the ward choir. I'm thankful for the reminder that maybe my efforts are being noticed. And leading the choir has even gotten easier. I'm glad I didn't run screaming. I wouldn't have believed I could make it this far (even though I still have so far to go). And I'm not saying anything else about any other callings. I can't think of one I really want as they all have their challenges. I'll just do my best for now and wait until I start feeling really comfortable (that's when the next big change will come).

But tonight, I'm just feeling thankful for little blessings.

Don't Say It

I am a slow learner. I have to tell you a story from my past to start, but before you get to the end of this post, you'll figure out what happened today.

When I was waiting for my mission call (about a hundred years ago...or just 14), people would often ask me where I wanted or hoped to go. I wouldn't say anything specific because I didn't want to influence the outcome. I'm not superstitious, I just know we get tested and maybe Heavenly Father really does have a funny bone.

Case in point: The guy I dated my senior year of high school was waiting for his mission call. He wasn't as quick to learn the lesson and often said he didn't care where he went as long as he didn't have to sleep on the floor or eat raw fish. Can anyone guess where he spent the next 2 years? Yes, Japan. Another case: One of the sisters in my mission prayed for a hard mission. I guess she was really looking for an opportunity to grow. I don't think she ever really learned the language, but her heart was definitely in it.

So I stayed quiet. Until last week.

I was talking to a woman in the ward that I'm developing a better friendship with (always like it when that happens) and we got talking about different things at church. I'm still rather "new", or feel like it, since we've only just passed our 1st year mark. We got to the ward choir which pretty much died sometime around the end of summer. The choir director apparently had health problems or something, so the practices and performances were spotty. I mentioned to my friend that it was strange they hadn't replaced the choir director, especially once it was mentioned the family was moving and since did. She replied that she thought they'd been trying but couldn't find anyone willing. (She had done it when they first moved to the ward, but she had very young kids and was pregnant. After a while, she was released...but that's all way before our time.)

Anyway, I mentioned that I hoped they wouldn't ask me because I would have to accept the calling but REALLY didn't want that! That conversation took place on Monday. Tuesday night the phone rang and would I be willing to meet with the bishop before church on Sunday? (Have you guessed what happened yet?)

When the bishop said they'd like me to lead the ward choir, I immediately said, "I knew it!" I had forgotten the lesson learned 14+ years ago. History was repeating itself. Dang it! I told the bishop that every time I start to really enjoy a calling, I get yanked out of it. So I thought I'd jump right into the choir thing with hopes of being released quickly. He thought that was a good idea and jokingly promised that if I got 50 people out to choir, they'd release me in 6 months. I wish I'd held him to that off-handed remark. I think I could "persuade" some high numbers for a little while. Do they have to sing, too?

So now, I have to go learn how to lead music. Look folks, just because I'm willing to sing in a small group during the ward Christmas party, doesn't mean I'm song leader material. I have had callings that seemed challenging before (Enrichment Leader comes to mind) but this one is going to humble me right down to my single pair of church shoes. I wonder what the average life-span of this calling is. 'Till death do you part? I'm too young to die (and too young for this calling)!