It really hit me last night – the nerves, the sleeplessness, the anticipation, the desire to have it done with. I don’t know how, but I finally fell asleep only to wake up to the realization that today was THE day – the day of our branch’s Primary Program. I was a flurry of nerves as I got to church early to set up the podium with name tags for each of the children and their teachers. But, as each of the children started to arrive I was greeted with a hug and questions of “when do we get to sit in our seats and sing?” Then our Sunbeam teacher showed up with little beaded pins adorned with ribbons in the Primary colors of red, yellow, and blue for each of the children to wear on their special day. She is a woman who takes the initiative and does 110% in her calling. We love her!
As Sacrament meeting started I noticed there weren’t as many people as we had hoped as the children had all handed out invitations to friends, neighbors, teachers, and family members. My children alone handed out 6 invitations but none were able to attend. But, as soon as the time came for the children to find their seats on the podium the chapel had filled up and all but one Primary child were there. The children began by singing the Primary song, “I Am a Child of God” and I instantly felt the chapel soften as the spirit entered in. Those sweet voices singing who they are – children of God. Then I heard Emma and another sister begin playing their flutes above the children’s voices. It was beautiful!
The talks and scriptures were great as the children presented them with their own individual personalities, but the songs were so touching that I had a hard time seeing my piano music through my tears for most of it. My favorite part was when the children sang “Called to Serve”. They sang the first verse and then as they started in on the chorus all 6 of our full-time missionaries plus a CES (Church Educational System) missionary couple who came to see the Program marched up to the front of the chapel singing with them. Then they sang the 2nd verse with the children joining in for the chorus. Seeing the missionaries out of the corner of my eye marching down the aisles in rhythm to the chorus I couldn’t stop my tears (even though this was planned). The spirit was so strong.
Looking around at the smiling audience, I thought I was perhaps the only one feeling so overwhelmed with the spirit – maybe it was just a relaxation of my nerves. But, as soon as the Program was over, the Branch President came up to me as I was playing the Postlude and with tears in his eyes, only said the word “wow.” I was so glad he felt it too. The spirit these children brought into our meeting was so strong as they shared their testimonies in knowing that they are each a child of God.
We had put Comment Cards in the programs for anyone to write some positive feedback for us to read to the children during Sharing Time today. There was one that I cried through (is this a recurring theme?) as I tried to read it to the children. It said, “All the Primary children did such a wonderful job today. I know the angels in heaven were singing praises to God because of how good the children did. God bless you all!”
I am so thankful for the tender mercies I experienced today in the strengthening of my testimony through little children.
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