Primary Stress

EDIT: yes, I am posting this on November 16th, which means I missed a day of posting. However, after writing most of this post, our Internet was down all night. In my humble opinion, this should count toward my "posting every day in November" goal!

 WARNING: this may seem like a bunch of incomprehensible babble if you are not a member of the LDS Church.

Thanks for the image, LDS.org!

 I don't have much time to post today, since I spent most of the morning in a marathon Primary presidency session. It's that time of year when the primary classes need to be reorganized for the next calendar year; and with a new ward, new counselors, and a shortage of teachers, it has been a tricky proposition. Luckily, after a few headache-inducing hours, I think we came up with a plan that will work pretty well.

This is the first time I've ever been a "president" of any church calling. I've been a counselor a couple of times, and that is also a fair amount of work, but being a president is a whole different set of things to think about. For one thing, I have to attend Ward Council (a meeting with the ward bishopric and the auxiliary leaders that meets about twice a month), so I get a much different perspective on how the ward functions and how each part of the ward works with every other part. It's been both fascinating and moving to see how much wonderful service is provided by so many ward members, and the great love that is expressed for our fellowmen in doing so.

I also need to have Personal Priesthood Interviews, since I'm an auxiliary president. This was very amusing to me at first, since I personally don't have (and probably never will have!) the priesthood. Still, it's a very good opportunity to sit one on one with the bishop, listening to his counsel and being able to pick his brain and share my concerns as well. There's a nice amount of give-and-take at these meetings; plus, our bishop received his calling only a week or two before I received my calling, so it's nice to feel that we are both figuring out our jobs together!

Another new feeling I've gotten is that as Primary president, I don't "do" as much as I used to! I'm more used to people giving me the orders, and then doing them. When you're in an administrative capacity, you often spend a lot more time giving the orders, and not as much time actually implementing stuff. It has been sort of disconcerting and guilt-inducing to just tell people what to do...it feels lazy, somehow. I realize that I do perform several tasks personally, and that a lot of the decision-making is mine, but this has made me realize that I'm a more "hands-on" person in church service than I'd thought. On the other hand, I'm learning to channel my "mom mode" (aka ruling the house!!) into church to an extent--though with the bossiness significantly toned down :) .

I do want to mention, though, how much the Lord is helping me; more than I even realize sometimes. Being a "type-A", control-freak kind of personality, I have a tendency to sweat the small stuff and worry endlessly about things. Surprisingly, I haven't felt that way much since receiving this calling. This is partly due to my AMAZING counselors who are responsible for so much good work and have given me such wonderful advice; I'm truly lucky to have them around. Besides that, however, I truly feel that I am being visited regularly by the Comforter--the Holy Ghost--and He is helping calm my fears. I realize there's a lot to worry about in Primary, but even with all the responsibility, I've felt a peace and confidence that I don't often feel in similar situations. It is so encouraging to know the Lord has got my back--it's a definite testimony builder, and it make me hope to be the best president I know how to be.