About 4 weeks ago our Farmington 7th ward and the neighboring Farmington 6th ward split to create the Farmington 16th ward which we are now apart of. I was really excited for the split because I love change. I need it every so often or I feel like life gets a little redundant. A couple weeks prior I was seriously debating about chopping my hair. That is usually the first thing I switch up since it is the easiest and least expensive change I can pull off. And it doesn't effect the family too much so I can justify doing it as opposed to other things I would like to change. So this ward split came just in time and saved my hair and a few regrets that were sure to come.
The Sunday before October General Conference the wards had an evening meeting to reveal the boundaries and new Bishopric. We went home after the meeting excited that we would have the opportunity to meet a lot of new people. Not long after we got home we got a call from the Executive Secretary asking for Paul and I to come in and talk with the Bishopric. I thought, "Wow! They are really on top of things. They are already giving out callings for primary and Sunday school teachers!" When I told my mom we were going in to meet them, she informed me something major was coming for Paul or me. I told her there was no way.
So we get to the church and we were the last to be called in. The Bishop called me in first and asked me if I was worthy to hold a recommend. I answered yes but then started getting really antsy thinking that was not a normal question for a teacher. He got up and asked Paul to come in. Bishop Nield started with some small talk that didn't put my mind to ease at all. Then he said something about just issuing calls to all of the Presidents this evening, to which he looked at me and said, I'm sure you've figured out we are calling you? I just smiled and shakily said, "Sure". Then he asked me to serve as Primary President...I'm shocked!
Just a side note - I get really weird when I am put on the spot or feel nervous. I start giggling and get almost hyper. It is ridiculous! I'm sure they thought this was the best news I had ever heard. Thinking back I know I completely deceived them because that is obviously far from my normal self. I'm sure they were thinking from looking at the person in front of them that they had made the best decision because of the way I was acting. A Primary President should be happy and smiley and exactly like the little show I was putting on. Little did they know, I was not portraying my true self. Anyway....
At this point the rest of the Bishopric had come in to join us. They explained that as they were contemplating who should serve in this calling, when they came across my name they all had a very peaceful feeling and knew that I was meant to be the Primary President. That did put my mind at ease a bit to know that they had so much confidence in me. I know their answer had come from Heavenly Father despite however inadequate and scared I felt. They spent a bit of time with me going through names to consider for my presidency and some Primary President 101 information. They kept informing me that Primary is like running a small business. I was not aware that Nursery, Scouts, and Activity Days all fell under the responsibility of the Primary. I also didn't know that the President is responsible for suggesting names for every single calling in the Primary. I knew I had a massive job ahead of me!
I accepted and they told me they wanted my presidency's names by Tuesday - that gave me two days. The most challenging part was I didn't even know half of the ward. Once I got my presidency together, I then needed to staff my whole primary which came to about 50 names I needed to come up with. Now, even four weeks later and I thought that I was done with that part of it, I am realizing that will be a never ending process to keep teachers and workers called.
One of the things that stuck out to me that Bishop Nield told me the night they called me was that when he was a Primary Chorister, there would be times he couldn't even sing. He would be so overcome with the Spirit seeing all of those sweet children sing. He told me that I would have experiences like that. I remember really wondering if I would. Yesterday during Senior singing time, I couldn't sing. I felt the Spirit so strong and I knew this is exactly were I needed to be. I'm not sure that it is for the children's sake, but I know it is for mine. I will learn so much the next few years. It will be a challenge for me as those closest to me know that children, especially other people's children, are not my favorite thing in the world. As maybe horrible as that sounds, I am just not good with kids. That is why my mother lovingly told me that I better reconsider wanting to become an elementary teacher all those years ago.
There will be so much to learn and so much to do. It will be a massive challenge but I am ready to really serve in the church. Paul has been incredibly consumed by work lately which has resulted in me feeling like a single mother most of the time. However, I can already see the blessings from Heavenly Father from being in this position. So I'm ready for all the good, bad, hard, growth and crazy that is coming my way.
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