Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Released


After 3 years in the primary presidency, I was released a few weeks ago. I joked a lot over the years about being released. Almost every meeting had some sort of comment from me about it.

"Heather, can you buy more picture frames for the upcoming Faith in God awards?"
"Don't you think we'll be released by then?"

"Does anyone else want to write the Primary program this year?"
"I guess I could since we won't be in the Primary when the program rolls around."

But when it came down to it and I knew it was over, I started to wonder if I was ready. I thought about all of the things I would be missing. Did I enjoy my last sharing time as much as I should have? It was the perfect sharing time to end on -- it was on the atonement of Jesus Christ. I felt such an appreciation and love for my Savior as I gave that lesson and could barely speak as I bore my testimony of Him. There are so many things I will miss about that calling.

I was excited but also nervous when the Bishop asked me 3 years ago. Griffin was only 8 months old and I found out I was pregnant with Mia one month later. I felt so overwhelmed that first year. Feeling unable to add one more thing to my already busy plate but somehow I made it and after that first year it seemed to just get easier and easier. It was the perfect calling for me at this time in my life. I was able to be in there with all six of my children. I watched Jack graduate from Primary, Griffin become a Sunbeam and Mia start nursery. They got to hear me teach and bear testimony of my Savior every month. And I got to watch them as they participated, read scriptures, gave talks, sang songs, answered questions, played the piano, passed off Articles of Faith, etc.

I was able to witness firsthand the amazing teachers my children had. Teachers who taught my boys the importance of respecting the scriptures, wearing a white shirt and tie to church in preparation of becoming a Deacon, the importance of the priesthood; Teachers who worked hard at helping each child learn all of the Articles of Faith; Teachers who loved their class like their own children and requested to be their teacher for 2 years in a row; Teachers willing to work with Morgan. It's amazing to think of the progress Morgan made in those 3 years. She wouldn't sit with her class, she wandered around the room, trying to sit by Hadley, Jack or Ryan and hugging everyone or shaking their hand on her way. Her teachers genuinely loved her, helped her answer questions, allowed her to sit on their laps and gave her the patience that was required and even though her behavior is far from perfect, she's come a long way! I hope all of those teachers know how grateful I am for each one of them and the positive impact they each had on my children's life.

I'm also going to really miss working with this fun group of girls! And I can call them girls because I was the oldie in the group. Our meetings usually lasted about 3 hours and there was never a dull moment, full of laughter and fun, and serious stuff too, of course. Jessica taught me the importance of being a diligent servant, wrote amazing primary programs for Sacrament Meeting and is seriously a rock. Jennifer taught me how to be organized and get things done and became a close friend and nanny. Andrea had an amazing testimony of missionary work and was never scared to open her mouth and share the gospel. And she got us all the latest text updates on the David/David AI Finale. Lindsay seemed to do it all, no matter what was asked, she was always willing to do it and never complained. Racie was the ultimate party planner. No one could ever top one of Racie's primary activities. Don't even try! And even thought Kerrah was a newbie to the presidency, she jumped right in and went out of her way to get to know all of us and the children.

Racie, Kerrah, Jessica, Andrea, Jennifer, me, Lindsay at our last meeting (dinner).
And we didn't all decide to just wear green -- this was on St. Patrick's Day

I didn't tell my kids I was getting released. They heard about it for the first time when the Bishop announced it. Ryan kept asking me over and over if that meant I wasn't in Primary anymore. I'm not sure but I think he was a little sad. I asked him if he was happy or sad and he said, "a little bit of both." But then he said the cutest thing,

"So you're just like a random citizen in the ward now?"

We call that a member of the church, but yes, as of right now, I am just a random citizen in the church and I'm going to enjoy it while I can.


19 comments:

Summer said...

Heather-
I have been in the Primary Presidency for 5 1/2 years...There has been a lot of talk on and off of releasing me but I too love being in there with my kids. It is so fun to see them answer questions and interact with their teachers. Good luck with whatever they do with you next!

Addies World said...

Great post. I love being in primary but it is always exciting to start something new. Have fun with whatever they give you to do!
Classic also I know Kerra. She lived next door to my grandma in St. George and we used to play when we were younger. Small world!

Scarehaircare said...

Too funny! Enjoy your randomness. You know it won't last long in our church.

Good to read that Morgan acts just like The Love Magnet in Primary. The presidency just called couple to teach who have a little 6 month old baby. Last Sunday was the first EVER that TLM didn't wander or want to go sit with her brother. She spent the entire time on her teacher's laps, holding their baby.

Carrie said...

I'm still new to the Primary thing...I've been in YW so much that Primary seems a little foreign! I hope that I will do okay--it's good to hear how much you loved it. Send any good ideas my way!

Brittany said...

I can totally relate, I will most likely be released in a few months. Sometimes I think oh that will be nice, and then I think wait a minute, I can't be anywhere else but primary. I have mentioned this to Jamie and he has some pull, so hopefully when I'm released I can be a teacher in the primary?

Kristin said...

I'm in the Primary Presidency right now, too. My hubby is in the bishopric and I keep hinting that when Max is 18 months old, he can send me over to the nursery. I'm guessing it's not going to happen.

Emily said...

I already left a comment on facebook... but I LOVE this post! LOVE how much you have adored your calling!
I am the new Primary President in my ward and oh so scared! I am very excited too... I've just never served in Primary before, so I feel like I'm going in blind. I have faith that I can do it though!
I'm open for any ideas and suggestions that worked for you!

Tausha said...

haha. I wish lately that I could be just a "Random Citizen". :-) I have never been in the primary and frankly it scares me. I do better giving a talk to a huge group then doing primary. You have a special skill in working with those precious little spirits.

NatRat said...

I bet you were amazing and they are really going to miss you.

anya said...

I can't believe you got EVERYONE from the presidency there! Amazing... You guys really did do a great job! I loved being in there when I was playing the piano. I have an idea for your new calling... want my job?!!

motherofangels said...

I'm not in the presidency but I am my 8 yr old sons teacher and I LOVE IT!!! Kids just make you feel good (except when they don't :) Relax while you can... Maybe they'll call you to the Relief Society Pres or even better (my fav calling) YW presidency!

Grandma Bethany said...

Oh I know exactly how you feel. I loved being in the primary when my kids were little. Then I loved being in YW. The only calling I did not miss was teaching RS. I just got too stressed over that one.
Just read your blog to dad and we both got a chuckle out of the 'random citizen'. Too funny.

DKAZ said...

YW's need a new President? Cute pic of everyone.

Lacey said...

Hi there, in response to a couple of things you said. I do have private insurance, never would I depend on the state to pay for all his medical care, you can't trust them. But when you have a medically fragile child that literally costs millions, private insurance alone just doesn't cut it. Thats why there is medicaid waivers, to cover expensive medical kids and you don't have to be dirt poor to get it. Because its the middle class that gets screwed here. We don't qualify for state services but we don't have thousands of dollars to pay out of pocket each year. We deserve a little help because we pay our taxes every year, and we have good jobs, thats what its for. I hate to say this medical bill is not going to help us at all!
And with California, so many people don't know about California. They have the same problems as other states, but they are so high profile that their problems are broadcast for the world to see. Utah has no money, and thats whey they don't have the Katie Beckett waiver. We both have family in California. It has better medical care, better humidity and altitude for Jax lungs. Yeah some spots are a lot more expensive, but they also pay a lot more.
Sorry for the novel, I just hate the bad rap California always gets from people.

Lacey said...

Hey thanks for the offer, Jax is fun to play with! He is on the waiting list too for DSPD. I heard when he was a baby that it was like a 10 year wait. Crazy! I do have friends in Cali that want out, I think it depends on your situation. My friend has tons of credit card debt, and wonders why she can't make it. We've been wanting to move back since we got married, but because they are more expensive we've been waiting until we are financially ready. Of course Jax put a damper on that! But we are now ready, our house is paid off, our cars are paid off, and we have zero credit card debt. All we have is our monthly bills. So we would have around 300,000 to put down on a house out there. Although I think the market dropped here again so maybe not that much!

Karol said...

Y'know Heather, anything you put your hand/heart to is amazing! I'm sure your kids are going to miss you in there.

Even though it was years ago, I loved my service as the pri pres too! I will always have a spot in my heart for primary!

xo :)

The 'random citizen' comment -- so funny!

Andrea said...

Heather you are so nice to say those things! I loved serving in the Primary presidency. We had wonderful kids and I learned so much from you and everyone else in the Primary. I'll never forget a sharing time you gave two years ago at Easter. I remember learning so much about the atonement and what it means to all of us.

Pohlmans said...

What a nice post! It was so fun and inspiring working with all of you. I am always up for a girls night so we should definitely do it again!

Kristie said...

Heather! YOU rock :) I can hear your voice in the posting. You haven't lost a single ounce of that burning desire to serve our HF that you had when we were companions! AND you do all this with 6 kids!

Can I be you when I grow up? Love ya!