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Monday, November 26, 2007

It Was About Time....Now Take It Back!

Well, I finally got a calling in our ward. During the month of October, I was the ward magazine representative - helping make sure everyone had the Church magazines who wanted them. The Bishopric ensured me that they would find me a ward calling as soon as that assignment was over. And they did. Only it wasn't what I was expecting...at all. You see, throughout my young adult life I have been called to various low-key/low-stress callings such as "Mission Prep Teacher" and "Visiting Teaching Supervisor" and "Gospel Doctrine Co-teacher (with The Chief)." As I entered the Bishop's office to receive my new calling a couple of weeks ago, I was hoping that I would again be dispensed a position that would allow a certain amount of anonymity. I like to stay "behind the scenes," so to speak. I don't usually get to know many people in the wards I am in. I mostly know the other women who attend Mom and Me activities. Bishop, however, saw fit to bring this particular socialite way beyond her comfort zone. In one brief interview and with one deft chop, he felled all my expectations of remaining anonymous. "There must be some mistake," I thought. "He must have meant to call someone else to this position," I reasoned. "Surely there is someone who is much better qualified to do this job," I pleaded in my head. No mistake. Yesterday I was sustained and set apart as the new 1st Ward Primary President. I had never felt more inadequate, incapable, young, and humbled as I did after talking with the Bishop two weeks ago. Frankly speaking, I was freaked out. No one knows who I am and vice versa. How was I to choose my counselors? How can I run an entire Primary when I can't even keep my own home running smoothly? I haven't been in Primary since I was in Primary as a little girl (and we all know how much good that does me with my incredible memory)! How could someone lead who had never been a leader before? "Bishop," I wanted to cry out, "I am no shepherd. I am a sheep!" Thankfully, the knowledge that the Bishop is guided by the Lord has been the greatest confidence booster of all. Through praying, fasting, studying the manual, and talking with my mother, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law (all of whom have been Primary President before), I have come to understand the basic goals and functions of the Primary. And, after attending Primary yesterday with my counselors, interacting with the kids, singing songs and participating in sharing time, I feel much more confident in my abilities to keep the Primary running smoothly - with a great deal of help from the other members of the presidency, of course. In fact, now I am even getting excited about being with the Primary and I already have lots of ideas for change and improvement. This new presidency is young and, though inexperienced, I now believe we are more than equal to the task. We will bring a freshness to the Primary, I think. At any rate, I have gone from terrified to thrilled and eager. The Lord has given me confidence, for which I am deeply grateful. And when I was set apart, Bishop blessed me that as I lead the Primary and learn to recognize my weaknesses, the Lord will then turn those weaknesses into strengths for me. I can't wait. It's going to be a fun ride. Wish me luck!

19 comments:

Scott and Karin said...

liz, you'll do an awesome job! If it makes you feel any better, we just got a new Young Women's presidency in our ward and the girl who is president is newly married, no kids and no older than 22 or 23. I can't imagine! I'm good with teaching the relief society once a month.

Liz said...

Oh yeah, I can't imagine either. That would be crazy! At least I'm a whopping 26, instead of 22 or 23. :) j/k!

Unknown said...

Elizabeth, I'm so happy for you!! Primary is absolutely the best place to be every Sunday. I get to be in Primary too.
Love Aunt Mona

Liz said...

Thanks, Aunt Mona. I'm sure I'll love it, too, once I figure out what's going on. :)

Unknown said...

Liz I am so glad that you came across our blog, because it is so great to see what you guys are up to and stay in touch! You will be a fantastic Primary Pres! I love seeing the pictures of your cute little family. I can't believe how big your boys are getting! They looked so cute for Halloween! I am so excited to stay in touch now! Oh, and yes, we are still in the ward. Bishop Chesney is still Bishop - we'll tell him hi for you - but they totally changed around the boundaries so we got a ton of new people and they changed our name to the BYU 33rd ward! Crazy! It is still fun though. We feel like the veterans of the ward!

Liz said...

Ha! You probably are the veterans of the ward, Brendi! That's crazy that they changed the name. Does that mean that UVSC (or UVU) people will be going to a different ward? Is it all BYU people in your ward now? Weird. Thanks for telling Bishop, hi, for us! I love checking out your blog, too. Michael is so big and so cute!

Kari said...

Wow thats great Liz!! You'll do a great job. I have a cousin and sis in law that are primary pres. too. What a fun opportunity!

Brooklet said...

I think that calling is right up your ally. I think you will a wonderful job and I think you will love it. Its such a great place to use your creativity and there is nothing like being around the kids-they have the sweetest testimonies and there is always such a strong spirit!

I have been the primary pres for about a year and a half now and I love it (of course, I liked it more when I was a counselor, less responsibility). This would be my advice to you- don't get all caught up and overwhelmed in the mechanics of primary- there are so many activities, programs, scouting, attendance, etc that can be daunting. Though they are important, remember that your most important job as pres is to love the children and teach them to learn of Christ and love him. All the other stuff if small stuff.

And lean on your counselors- they are life savers!

You are going to have so much fun and I know the children will feel the spirit of your testimony and the love you have for them.

trina said...

Liz,

I'm sorry that none of the Agles mentioned that I was a Primary Pres for three years. During that time, Jessy was 2, and I had Jake and Jonas. It's a fun and rewarding calling. I did about a million Sacrament programs (at least it feels like that). You are super worthy, it's going to be fun for you. Just make sure you delegate to your counselors and your secretary. Delegation is very important!

This is a key calling for you to prove your leadership capabilities.

As for being new in the ward, when Travis and our family moved to Laguna Niguel, in about four months I was called as YW president, which I held for 1 1/2 years because we moved. That is a calling I loved!

After moving, we were in our current ward for 3 months when I was called to be the RS president. Now that's a quick way to get to know everyone. Our Stake bounderies were changed 2 weeks ago, and now we have 25 new families in our ward. Before we left for AZ for Thanksgiving, my counselors and I spent 3 days visiting our new sisters (with cookies of course!)

You will be awesome. Primary is very structured and easy to do. Just make sure the share times are fun for the kids, as well as instructivd!

Love you!

Trina

P.S. What stake are you in? We as a ward are going to the Poway stake center this Saturday AM to help fire victims. Are you in that Stake?

Sara said...

Elizabeth! You little Dickens! No, I'm not going to do the whole congrats thing...I can't believe you didn't tell me. ME! Your own sister! Here you are blabbing to mom, Mary, Billy Bob, and Daffy, and you didn't have time to tell me you got called to the primary president position?! As Jarem would say- unbefreakinlieveable. HAHAHA. You'll do great, just listen to all the great advice (see above).

Don and Amy Bennion said...

I love Primary too, although the most I've done is to teach the 5 year olds--and even that was with Don! You'll be a great president and I'm sure it will be great experience for your future. That is so fun...and just as Soren will be entering Primary. by the way, I love the pictures of the boys in the Santa suits...how adorable! Where did you get the suit?

Miriam Herm said...

you can do it! you will be amazing!

Chris and Chelz said...

you will be awesome! you are so good with kids! i would be scared out of my mind if they wanted me to do that calling!!!!
-chelz

p.s. i did not understand how to change the paper on my blog (the background) if you could tell me again or call me that would be much appreciated!!! 801 664 7469

Melissa said...

Oh Liz- You'll be great! I LOVE primary. I was the second counselor last year and I LOVED it. Our president was like you- she thought she couldn't lead, but she got really good at delegating and that is what you need to learn to do. I had a bad Sunday where I was actually telling Brandon, "Man I have the two WORST callings in the ward!" I'm the choir director and nursery leader. It was just a bad day, those callings aren't too bad. Nursery is rough with Jake somedays and Choir was bad since there were only 5 people there over thanksgiving break. Ugh.

Liz said...

I think nursery would be fun, but maybe not with my own kid in there. We'll see how that goes since Soren starts Primary in January. :) Choir would definitely be hard. Not too many people are gung ho about participating in the choir. I think I should probably be there each week. Maybe I'll start going. It's just hard with kids that need to get home to naps and food. I hope your callings are better this next week with Thanksgiving break being over.

Marcia said...

Okay, you have to quit calling them kids; they are children :) Um, is that picture of Soren with the Santa hat this year? Darling.

Liz said...

No, that's Soren two years ago when he was one. It's the same outfit on both boys. :) I just took the Anders Santa pictures yesterday.

Lisa/Scott said...

I work with the CTR6 class and I would LOVE to have you as president! You'll do more than great. Everyone in the primary will cry when you get released. I've been a primary teacher for almost three years now, (not counting when I taught sunbeams for a year and a half after I finished high school) and from what I know, you'd be a perfect president. My confidence in you is complete and perfect.

Lauren said...

Wowzers, you have so many comments!!! I realized some are by yourself, but still, lots of readers. That's fun. Anyway, I too think you will be fabulous in your new calling. You seem to be a very on-the-ball sort of person!