So....I just got released from my year and a half stint as the ward organist. To be perfectly honest with everyone, I am pretty broken hearted.
Funny how things change...back when I was first asked to take this calling, I was shell shocked. At the time we were teaching the Young Single Aduts Gospel Doctrine and had been doing that for about a year and I knew a change was coming because Jer had been called to be in the Elder's Quorom so I was teaching the class by myself. I never in a million years expected to be called to be the organist. I was horribly out of practice and had not really played for a few years; I had played for Relief Society a few times, but struggled through the hymns. Of course it is all Jer's fault for ratting me out to Justin Sheen that I knew how to play the piano.
I remember the day clearly. Jer had let it slip that he told Justin my hidden talent, and mentioned that they were looking for a new organist. So when Peter Christensen called Jer and me in and offered the calling to me, the first thing I did was turn to Jer and said "I told you!" I then began with a string of inadequacy comments such as "I am really not that good" "I don't think you are asking the right person, I haven't played for years" "I am really bad at playing when people are singing with me" and more importantly "I don't even know how to play the organ", etc. Then Peter pulled out this whole "stretch calling" nonsense (laying on the guilt trip...thank you Peter). Anywho, after trying unsuccessfully to convince Peter I was not the one, he asked me if I would like to think about it and get back to him in a few days....and I said "yes I would".
Well after fully convincing myself that I was going to say no, I spoke to my dad. He asked me "Well do you know how to play the hymns?"...yes. "Are you able to practice?"...yes. "So what's the problem?"....OH MAN! Sometimes I hate logical thinking!
Well I was going on a trip so I wouldn't be at church the next sunday, so when I was saying goodbye to Jer, I asked him to call Peter and tell him "K, Fine, Sure, Whatever, I'll Do It". So Jer called Peter and told him "K, Fine, Sure, Whatever, I'll Do It". And Peter proceeded to tell the Bishop "K, Fine, Sure, Whatever, I'll Do It".
Although I was nervous at first, I got over myself and fell in love with the calling. It springboarded me into being the choir pianist, the pianist for baptisms, sometimes primary pianist, relief society pianist and anything else someone needed a pianist for. There were some sundays that I played for every hour of church and then a baptism afterwards. Eventhough I ended up playing mostly church music all the time, I enjoyed that I had a reason to sit down and practice the piano most days. I love playing the piano so much now that it makes me wonder why I took it so much for granted when I was younger. I took lessons for years, but I was never really good at practicing. Sometimes I wonder how much better I would be now if I had practiced more....funny how hindsight is 20/20.
Well as Biship told me that I was being released, I am sure I was alternating between 2 looks. 1) shock that I was being released, and 2) a glare (which is my normal face unfortunately) because I was sad. And Bishop sensing that I was not too happy about the decision said something very wise...and I paraphrase..."when a person gets upset about being released I know that they put their heart into their calling and I like to see that".
Well now I am on to Primary, 9-11 year olds. I am excited to get back into teaching again. Being the teacher you get to learn so much as you prepare the lessons. I am excited to get in the scriptures again. The lessons for this age are much more than "I am thankful for my eyes".
So to all of my friends that laughed with me as I totally botched a hymn ("Called to Serve" anyone), our fun is at an end. This has been my absolute favorite calling to date. I can only hope that in the future I will be given this calling again.
6 comments:
I shall miss your organ playing indeed. I am also sad about the fact that we are leaving primary just as you are entering it...Of course, it often felt like you were in primary with us anyway. Good luck!
~L
Wow, you miss one week of church and there are big changes! For what my musically untalented opinion is worth, I thought you were an excellent organist and I really admired all of the time you put into it, including the many extras. The Primary kids will be lucky to have you.
You have been an awesome organist, but I will admit that I for one am extremely excited to have you officially in the Primary. I'm sure your piano talents will not go to waste. ;)
I still remember Peter telling me about your "K whatever..." response to the calling! I'm glad it turned out to be a calling you enjoyed so much.
Yes, we too will miss your organ talents! We will mostly miss your facial expressions when you've noticed that something just isn't right or there is slight confusion during hymn time. I love those. They make me giggle every time. But I think you will be an awesome primary teacher and the children are so very lucky to have you! :)
i'm in primary and quite frankly...it is a little exhausting. i do like it a lot, but i am not sure that i have the attitude you do. i like your blog. i have never been on it before. tell jer hi.
I love this post.
~P
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