So,I was recently released as a Primary President in our ward and called to be a Stake Primary President.
I was searching through my emails and came across this email I wrote 1 year ago and had forgot all about.
I guess it's time to share it with a few edits. (In the pic, I'm on the far right.)
What I wish I had known about before
I was searching through my emails and came across this email I wrote 1 year ago and had forgot all about.
I guess it's time to share it with a few edits. (In the pic, I'm on the far right.)
What I wish I had known about before
Being called as a Primary President in a Bulk Children Ward!
1. Schedule monthly PPI’s with your Bishop.
Personal Progress interviews are important!! # 5 explains more on this. Be prepared ahead of time with a list of questions and not chew up his time! Since you carry the majority of the callings in the ward, stick to this topic more than rambling about how you didn't read your scriptures Thursday. You should still meet with your Bishopric councilor weekly, by phone or in person but this doesn't supplant that one time monthly meeting with Bishop. I just assigned myself to come down on Tuesdays nights when Bishopric was there and try and pop in. When needs arose you can always ask the clerk to fit you in. I never took more than 15 min. Yes his time is precious but yours is too!
2. Never speak an ill word about leadership.
Negative words always find their way back home!! Just cast out the thought of judgment when it enters your head!! There is a heavy fine in Heaven laid for those who whine about church leadership. “with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you again”, I believe was the line. That’s a yard stick you want to avoid.....like the plague!! What goes around comes around. If you were unjustly wronged by leadership, guess what, you just won a lottery! You just suffered for HIS sake, big rewards in the next life!! Woo hoo! (Maybe, people should wrong you more often! j/k ) Don't repeat ugly things other have said either. (Just adopt the phrase "everyone is crazy to some degree" and you will smile more!)
3. Share personal experiences when teaching.
Children are drawn in by your personal experiences. Stick with the uplifting ones. (not about what you learned through your sister’s divorce or anything involving a situation where someone had to cast out a demon. lol! ) I have had an entire room hush abruptly as I told a personal story many, many times. It's a moment of pure gospel learning that the Holy Ghost can speak through. Share a piece of your self with them!!! You might feel like your bragging about your life but truthfully you need to let your light shine for them so they see how the gospel has worked for you. (Oh, and while we are chatting about sharing time, making the teachers do an impromptu testimony meeting is against church guidelines per handbook 2…don’t ask me how I know this…biting lip...)
4. Expect to find out what is EXPECTED:
The first day you get the job was like "Fun! I ready for training!" Then you realize 1 or 2 sessions of chatting with the former president was more like drinking out of a fire hydrant...lots of info coming at you but nothing getting IN you. Then you just dive in. You think "fake it till you make it..." WRONG! Pride is your enemy as #8 explains. CALL EVERYONE! Call study read online everything. Ask a million questions! Knowing is half the battle! You probably didn't know that you have the option/need to be apart of many meetings among which are or can be: 11yr old planning meetings, key scouters and/or scout committee meeting, primary presidency, ward council, round table, board of reviews, primary activity planning meetings, 8 is great, priesthood preview, teacher training, cub scout meetings, activity days recognition night planning meeting, stake auxiliary training, world wide leadership training broadcast...I'm sure there is more. When you finally figure out what is really expected then you can schedule and delegate the jobs. Divide and conquer! (Our primary had over 180 kids, trust me you will not survive a "one woman show" in a bulk kid ward.)
5. Tread lightly on confidential matters!
Person to person with Bishop is a correct route for sensitive info. Members often tell you very fragile important information. Sometimes this information cannot be shared in a presidency meeting or sometimes even with the bishopric councilor. It goes from your mouth to the Bishop and nowhere else! Emails and texts are easily forwarded or seen accidentally. While we are on the electronic issue and being confidential…Try your best to only post positive uplifting messages on social media. This is even more painfully true when it comes to your personal life, don't confide in the WORLD! Think 13th article of faith, if it doesn't comply then it’s not the best idea. Stand up for truth but avoid purposely starting heated debates!! Light-mindedness is simply communicating without thinking of consequences or impact.
6. Daily words from Ancient or modern prophets will save your bacon!
It goes without saying that you will pray often…but honestly the number one most vital thing I've learned this year is that if you neglect your scriptures you are ten times more likely to have a bad day or be unprepared for that next curve ball. Consider it as a MUST! If you are not there yet consider baby steps, one verse per day, then increase. Read from ancient and modern prophets. Listen to General Conference while in the car. Just believe in your self rather than bash your self when you forget. "I am becoming better every day! Tomorrow I will rock this! I am Tony Robbins!"
7. Never rush or push through getting a calling.
Be timely with calls but if you don't feel settled than the calling isn't ready...time to reach out to councilors and bishopric. Drop by and meet with those in question without disclosing your reasons. Often times information will breed revelation. Grab a substitute for whatever it is, to get you by that week and press forward. The answers will come!! When callings just go, well, all wrong... remember, often times Heavenly Father wants us have a lot more say about things then we want somedays. It's wisdom in Him to let us experience this. All failures have something you can learn from, often times it's just that people have their own agency.
Failure is just a negative word for the phrase, "I tried." Growth however painful is still growth. In other words, MOVE ON, keep trying!
8. Do you really want to be a blessing hog? Drop the pride and adopt the stride!
Just because you are a primary president doesn't mean your calling and election is made sure!! (aka: ready for Heaven.) The prideful, "I’m the alpha, I've got it.", attitude may find you at a low moment when you just collapse. No one was ever meant to do this alone! You have your teachers, your counselors, Bishopric Councilor, Bishop, Stake Primary President (hopefully your husband) and your Heavenly Father to support you. They have ideas that you don't for a reason, that all may be edified of all. People might see you fail as you trust others and go forth. They might even *gasp* see your ugly faults. Say this with me: So what?l! The only opinion that matters is the Lord's. Your faith is your confidence and hope! The Lord won't let his gospel fail and he will honestly guide you! Carry yourself with a smile, faith and humble dignity! When you worry about & "doubt focus" on yourself you will pass right by a woman crying and never see her. (Just a little guilt trip to beat you back into a positive mindset.)
9. Simplify your life!!!!!!
I know before you were a bone marrow donating, PTO president planning, HOA board attending, preschool teaching, soccer coach running, taxi machine BUT this has all got to go out the window!!!! Trash those “good” time consumers for the “BEST” usage of time!! Sacrifice will bring forth the blessings of heaven!!! How are you going to receive revelation when your time is all used up??? Your family needs you too!! Your kids spell the word love: T-I-M-E!!! You need down time. (Please do this!!! Members needs just love to arise when it is most inconvenient…accept this as the norm.) It’s much easier to accomplish #6 this way as well.
10. A successful day is one where the kids:
A. Felt the Spirit B. Learned something about Christ C. Felt loved.
That is your #1 goal. The rest is just what will make your life easier. Organization is all about keeping you sane. Please invest in your sanity. and I deeply apologize for this little gem in advance...---} Just remember,
- You will one day stand before the Lord and give an account of your work in this sacred calling!
HOWEVER, instead of a message of dread look at it as a "God trusts you!" cheer! Imagine sharing with Him the best parts your successes, struggles and growth. You don't HAVE to serve, you GET to serve.I am sorry, it had to be said.
Ok, Ok Just Smile and trust me, you will deeply miss it this crazy roller coaster of joyous little human juggling when it is all over far too soon! Till then, fight the good fight soldier, your on the front lines!
~Roseanne Service
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