For the past few weeks, I have been thinking about how much I love my calling at church. I have been leading the music in Primary (my church's Sunday School for children) for nearly a year and a half. It has brought a lot of happiness into my life.
I was called to be chorister after I had been serving as a ward clerk for about four and a half years. I can honestly say I loved being a clerk---It was my favorite calling at the time. Although the outward appearance makes it look like a calling that centers on paperwork and budget tracking, I had discovered that clerkship has a deeply spiritual component. But eventually, I found myself longing for something different. I wanted to spend more time interacting with others and less time compiling reports.
I was kind of nervous when I learned that the new opportunity would involve teaching songs to a group of about 30 kids. I knew that most primary songs were not written with my bass voice in mind. I knew that teaching the music would usually require singing the songs by myself in front of the kids and their primary teachers; although I have a decent amount of musical talent, I have always felt very self-conscious about my voice as a solo instrument. But I was excited to try this new calling.
And I LOVED it. I honestly believe I have the best calling in the church, and I kind of hope I get to be primary chorister for a good 10 years or so.
Here are 10 reasons why I love being Primary Chorister:
1. Every week, at least one or two kids will say something wildly hilarious. It brightens my week and gives me something to look forward to. Every week after church, I spend a while telling Becky the fun stories.
2. It has expanded my artistic abilities. I'm not a big fan of downloadable cookie cutter song helps, partly because I balk at the price of printer ink, so I draw most of the posters I use to help the children learn the songs. It's fun and effective, I think.
3. I love seeing the children learn the gospel. When I teach them songs, I strive to take at least some time to define the words in the song and testify of the gospel principles taught in the songs. It's great to see the music help the gospel come to life for them. Also, I get to observe the way they live the gospel, and hear them give talks. It gives me hope for the rising generation. These are good kids!
4. I love interacting with the children. Partly because I have several younger siblings and lots of younger cousins, I've always been comfortable to talking to kids. When I served a mission, I taught many more children than adults. Their innocence and faith is inspiring. This calling is a nice continuation that keeps me young. I think it also helps prepare me for raising my own children.
5. This calling has expanded my musical abilities. I am much more comfortable singing in front of people.
6. I feel like I can (and should strive to be) a role model for the children I teach. I want to set a positive example for them and therefore help reinforce what their parents teach them.
7. The children help me realize more about what Christ meant when he commanded us to be like children. Many of them exemplify unconditional love for each other and for other people. I remember one time that an elderly woman from a different ward, whom no one in the room knew, came and just sat in the back of the primary room. When one of the primary leaders acknowledged her and said hello, a 3-year-old girl on the front row jumped up, ran to the back, and hugged the woman. Shouldn't we all be more like her?
8. My teaching abilities have increased. If I am ever called to teach a group of adults, I think I will be much better for them than if I had not been called to teach children.
9. In what other calling do you get to dance the robot, pretend to be a snowman, make children laugh, pretend to make popcorn balls, and sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" backwards at lightning speed?
10. Every now and then, there's food. One of the primary teachers makes some great cookies and cake pops for her class, and occasionally I get some leftovers. MMMMMmmm good.
