"Wait, Isn't that a calling for Grown-Ups?"
"They know I'm kind of a doofus, right?"
"Blast! Now I can't indulge in minor swearing anymore."
Note: In the LDS church we do not have any paid clergy, instead the congregation members teach and lead each other. There is a leader of our congregation (the Bishop) and he assigns "callings" to each member. You can always choose to accept or not accept the assignment.
Last month we were rushing in the morning. Matt had a Sunday School class to teach to his 11 year old primary class. I had a Sunday School class to teach to my 14 & 15 year old class. And both Matt and I had been asked to team teach a combined Young Men/Young Women's lesson on Choice and Accountability.
I was making 3 dozen homemade Snicker Doodles for our joint lesson (because nothing says Choice and Accountability like Snicker Doodles...am I right?) when the phone rang. Matt got it, listened for a moment and then said, "The Bishop wants to meet with both of us before church at 10:45...can we make it?" And that's when it hit me full force....I am getting a calling to be in the Relief Society Presidency. I knew it. There was a spot as the 2nd Counselor made vacant just last week.
The Relief Society is comprised of all of the women in our congregation. The Presidency tends to their spiritual, physical and emotional needs, teaches and guides them. The Presidency also provides relief when needed for a sick or otherwise needy sister...including watching kids, taking meals in or helping them in any other way. It is the most work intensive calling there is for a woman in the congregation.
When we got to church the Bishop said his meeting had gone long and we would meet after church instead. Well, imagine my relief when my friend Amber was called as the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society during Sacrament Meeting. Whew! I must have been wrong! Close call, Ahern, close call.
And that's when Heavenly Father chuckled.
After church we met with the Bishop and I accepted a calling to be the 1st Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. I am humbled, nervous and a bit overwhelmed, but I know the Lord will bless me as I serve to the best of my ability.
15 comments:
You will do wonderful! That feeling...of knowing...is, well, a bit overwhelming, too! So funny that you thought you were off the hook. LOL!
What a great story! If I could, I'd move to be in your ward :). Our wards were all realigned today, which means my calling as 1st counselor in Primary is no more. I'm sad, but I know that there will be other times that I get to serve. I hope you share your adventures in Relief Society every once in awhile!
so exciting! you're gonna love it.
You will be great.
Sounds very important, and also quite demanding (time wise - for a sahm with two littlies). From a non-lds to a lds - congrats & good luck, I'm sure you'll do a splendid job.
Sadness that I'm going to be missing this. Good luck, you're going to do great!
I'm sure you're just what the ladies need. Good luck with your new calling.
Good times when you can look back and realize you gave Heavenly Father a good chuckle.
I think I do that more than most.
Good luck!
You are going to be FANTASTIC!! I just love that you got this calling kiddo, you will bless the lives of those sisters and while you are doing so, you will become an even better person (hard as that may be to imagine). Love to you dear girl. Mom xoxoxox
I love how you wrote that Heavenly Father chuckled. LOL Like he said 'jokes on you!'. Congratulations, you'll be great!
so excited to work with you, friend.
Congrats on your calling!! You'll be wonderful!! I had a similar experience recently as I was voted by my congregation (Presbyterian) to be the next Elder to the Presbytery. I believe my first thought was similar to yours - Isn't that for grown-ups??? Well, I guess I am one now :)
I wish I could tell you what I've learned the past three years! You'll be wonderful - and entertained and blessed. I love the phrase our stake pres. always says, and I live by it: "There are no coincidences, only movements of the holy spirit."
congrats on the new calling. you'll be awesome!
It's going to make you question your blogging self more often. You're going to write a post and then edit it before sending it into cyberspace, trust me. This type of a calling make you want to pretend to be the person they think you are. My unedited posts seem to confirm the opposite.
I'm excited for you Em!
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