I have to admit that yesterday gave me a whole new perspective on being a Primary president. You see, it's something that I've struggled with for the past few months...the woman who was the previous president was able to have everything run like clockwork. I'm less like clockwork and more like semi-controlled mayhem.
For those out there who aren't familiar with Primary, it's the Sunday School program in my church for kids aged 18 months to 12 years of age. I was called, or "asked with emphasis" to be the president of this organization late last year--a move I still believe may yet shake the foundations of our church to its very core.
In addition to our weekly meetings, Primary children are also asked to attend quarterly activities as well. We made cards at Valentine's Day and had an activity that focused on fun and fitness in July. This month, we have been focused on the blessings that come from LDS temples, and so we decided to have our quarterly activity a little early, and take the kids to the temple here in Billings.
Unlike our last activity, which had a rather small turnout, this activity brought together more than 15 children aged 4 to 11. Dressed in their church clothes, they arrived at the temple at 10 a.m. We had an opening prayer, and sang songs. Then we began to tour the temple grounds, which are amazing this time of year. The children got to see what we mean when we liken our bodies to temples, and how at the temple everything is always clean and beautiful--just like our bodies should be. We talked to them about how Jesus Christ is our living water, which is represented at almost all of the temples through the use of fountains or reflecting pools, and how when He comes again He will do so from the East--the direction which the statue of Moroni points. A member of the temple presidency met us, and talked to the children about the cornerstone of the temple and how it was dedicated, and later they kids got to see a bride come out of the temple after having been married.
The kids were amazingly reverent, and really got involved in the activity. That is not to say, however, that there weren't some funny moments. I laughed especially hard when one of the 6-year-old boys, Carson, asked why everybody kept talking about the bride coming out of the temple, but not "the man". He was a little perturbed by it all, and I didn't have the heart to tell him that he just needs to get used to weddings being about "the girl". So we then made sure that everyone knew that the groom would be coming out as well. I also had to laugh because when we asked the kids what they liked best about the day, most of them replied "the popsicles". (They got to have treats afterwards.)
Anyway, I just was so glad that everything worked out (even the weather cooperated!). I guess I'll probably stick around in this calling for a few more months. Until, at least, the next activity....
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Are you a Drop Dead Diva, too?
I have a new favorite TV show: Drop Dead Diva. Have you seen it yet? The premise is that a beautiful blond (Deb) whose dream it is to be a Price is Right model dies (driving her car, painting her nails and talking on a cell phone), and in a twist of fate, ends up back in the body of a smart, plus-size attorney (Jane) who died taking a bullet for a colleague. She ends up with Jane's brain and body, but her own memories and...well...attitude.
I've read a few blogs that pan the show because of one (often ultra-feminist) thing or another but to me, it's not only entertaining, it has a great meaning. How many women don't feel comfortable in their own bodies? How many feel that the true them is someone that can't be seen? Whether it's beautiful thin women who aren't taken seriously, or plus-size ladies who "have such pretty faces", I think that almost every woman would like to be able to be seen differently to one extent or another.
In truth, I relate a lot to Deb/Jane. Most of my life, I've been thought of as being smart (although I worry that I'm not) and have gotten the "pretty face" thing since about birth. But at the same time, I adore fashion, makeup, shoes--all of those fun, girly, non-sensible things. In fact, there are times that I forget what I look like until I see myself in a window or a mirror or a photograph, because in my mind I'm just a fun-loving, jewelry wearing, handbag-craving clothes horse who looks just like all the other girls.
For awhile, I was on my way to reconciling, at least to some extent, my interior and exterior selves. But two pregnancies, post-partum depression, birth control and an overwhelming love of chocolate have sidetracked me more than once. My plan is to get back on the path to reconciliation with my Deb side...but at the same time, I really want to learn to like my Jane side more. I want to accept who I am right now, what I look like--and still like myself. In fact, I kinda think that until I love my Jane, Deb is a long ways away.
So how is that for being philosophical on a Wednesday night? I'd love to hear your thoughts--or am I alone in my Deb/Jane conundrum?
I've read a few blogs that pan the show because of one (often ultra-feminist) thing or another but to me, it's not only entertaining, it has a great meaning. How many women don't feel comfortable in their own bodies? How many feel that the true them is someone that can't be seen? Whether it's beautiful thin women who aren't taken seriously, or plus-size ladies who "have such pretty faces", I think that almost every woman would like to be able to be seen differently to one extent or another.
In truth, I relate a lot to Deb/Jane. Most of my life, I've been thought of as being smart (although I worry that I'm not) and have gotten the "pretty face" thing since about birth. But at the same time, I adore fashion, makeup, shoes--all of those fun, girly, non-sensible things. In fact, there are times that I forget what I look like until I see myself in a window or a mirror or a photograph, because in my mind I'm just a fun-loving, jewelry wearing, handbag-craving clothes horse who looks just like all the other girls.
For awhile, I was on my way to reconciling, at least to some extent, my interior and exterior selves. But two pregnancies, post-partum depression, birth control and an overwhelming love of chocolate have sidetracked me more than once. My plan is to get back on the path to reconciliation with my Deb side...but at the same time, I really want to learn to like my Jane side more. I want to accept who I am right now, what I look like--and still like myself. In fact, I kinda think that until I love my Jane, Deb is a long ways away.
So how is that for being philosophical on a Wednesday night? I'd love to hear your thoughts--or am I alone in my Deb/Jane conundrum?
Everyone Needs a NikkiShovel
I always used to wonder what it would be like to have that kind of "over the fence" or "down the hall" neighbor that seems to pop up in all sorts of movies and TV shoes. You know an Ethel to my Lucy. Well, I'll have you know that at long last I get to have one of my very own.
My backdoor neighbor is none other than the lovely Nikki, with whom I spent a lovely evening last night sitting in lawn chairs, surveying our respective kingdoms and exchanging thoughts on the state of pretty much everything. We worked together for about four years, so we have the kind of history, but more importantly, our boys are the same age, we find humor in the same kinds of things (mostly ourselves) and are just different enough to make things interesting.
Ethan has a crush on Nikki (as most people do who meet her). I think he pretty much has since the first time they met. For about the first year, he would grin shyly and call her "NikkiShovel" because he was for some reason unable to just call her Nikki, and he couldn't pronounce "Schaubel". One night as Nikki and I were meeting for one of the first of our clandestine necklace exchanges in the backyard (I used to sell jewelry--now she does), Ethan wandered out with me. He was just a little guy, before having a younger sister aged him considerably. He stood with us for a while as we went nuts over whatever sparkly we were discussing, and then suddenly announced "Aren't the stars lovely, NikkiShovel?" Yes. He said "lovely." To which she responded, "Yes, Ethan Green, they are lovely." And from then on, they were quite the best of friends, each using the other's full name whenever they stopped to chat.
Now Nikki has more or less adopted Ethan as one of her own. Now, thanks to Nikki's husband who must have a nickname for everyone, he is "E.G." and can do some little bump thing with his fists that I'm not cool enough to do. She takes him to school, on field trips with her boys and isn't the least bit surprised when he's suddenly playing in her backyard. She and Eme are becoming fast friends as well, especially since my daughter realized that, like herself, Nikki also likes polish on her toes. Even Dave joins in the mix, since Nikki likes to garden, and he likes to talk to other people who do. (I am not a big gardener, as you may assume.)
I'm not sure exactly what I did right in order to get a NikkiShovel next door. I think she's my reward for having some pretty lousy neighbors other times in my life. All I know is that I sure hope that all of you get to have one someday as well.
My backdoor neighbor is none other than the lovely Nikki, with whom I spent a lovely evening last night sitting in lawn chairs, surveying our respective kingdoms and exchanging thoughts on the state of pretty much everything. We worked together for about four years, so we have the kind of history, but more importantly, our boys are the same age, we find humor in the same kinds of things (mostly ourselves) and are just different enough to make things interesting.
Ethan has a crush on Nikki (as most people do who meet her). I think he pretty much has since the first time they met. For about the first year, he would grin shyly and call her "NikkiShovel" because he was for some reason unable to just call her Nikki, and he couldn't pronounce "Schaubel". One night as Nikki and I were meeting for one of the first of our clandestine necklace exchanges in the backyard (I used to sell jewelry--now she does), Ethan wandered out with me. He was just a little guy, before having a younger sister aged him considerably. He stood with us for a while as we went nuts over whatever sparkly we were discussing, and then suddenly announced "Aren't the stars lovely, NikkiShovel?" Yes. He said "lovely." To which she responded, "Yes, Ethan Green, they are lovely." And from then on, they were quite the best of friends, each using the other's full name whenever they stopped to chat.
Now Nikki has more or less adopted Ethan as one of her own. Now, thanks to Nikki's husband who must have a nickname for everyone, he is "E.G." and can do some little bump thing with his fists that I'm not cool enough to do. She takes him to school, on field trips with her boys and isn't the least bit surprised when he's suddenly playing in her backyard. She and Eme are becoming fast friends as well, especially since my daughter realized that, like herself, Nikki also likes polish on her toes. Even Dave joins in the mix, since Nikki likes to garden, and he likes to talk to other people who do. (I am not a big gardener, as you may assume.)
I'm not sure exactly what I did right in order to get a NikkiShovel next door. I think she's my reward for having some pretty lousy neighbors other times in my life. All I know is that I sure hope that all of you get to have one someday as well.
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