Release

On Sunday I was released from my calling as 1st counselor in the primary presidency of our ward. I'd served in that calling for 2 years and 5 months. It was my first church calling that wasn't related to leading the music or playing the piano.
When I was first called to the primary, I wasn't too excited about it. I really had never been comfortable around children, except my own, and I had no idea what I was doing. But it didn't take long for the kids to make me feel right at home and touch my heart forever. I've had so many amazing experiences serving in this calling. I'm grateful for the things the children taught me through their faith and their innocence and the things I learned through trial and error. I'd like to share a bit of what I learned....

• Children believe what you tell them, so you'd better make sure it's correct
• Children are quick to love and never hesitate in showing that love. We should all be more like them in accepting others and not being afraid to give a hug and say "I love you"
• No matter how much you prepare and study, the kids will always come up with a question or comment that you didn't see coming. Good luck with that.
  
• Patience....I got to practice a whole lot of patience
  
• Children are always watching. So many Sundays a child would come up to me and say that they saw me at the store or at the school. They pay attention to what we say and what we do, even when we don't realize they are. Our actions speak louder than words.
• Yes, your kids will always rat you out in primary. They love to tell us what happens at home. =)
• Good teachers and leaders are in all of us. So many of the teachers we'd call would say they didn't think they were good at teaching primary, but they all did such a great job and the kids love them.
  
• Keep it simple.
  
• Every child needs you to tell them and show them how special they are. In today's world, so many of the children are suffering because of circumstances beyond their control. A simple smile and a compliment can have a lasting impression.
  

I really didn't think that being released would affect me much. I've been feeling a bit tired and burned out lately by the responsibilities of my calling. But on Sunday I found myself fighting back tears all through our meetings. I'll miss being with the kids every Sunday and hearing about their week and visiting them in their homes and doing activities with them and watching them learn and grow and being a part of their lives that way.

Thank you children of the Parkside Ward. You have touched my life and helped grow my testimony in ways that you will probably never even realize.