Primary Program

Today in my church we had the primary program (which means that the kids in our church congregation ages 12 and under did a presentation for the main hour-long church service in front of everyone).  As a counselor in the primary presidency, and mom to 1/3 of the primary, I was really really proud of how well they did!

Jethro wrote his own talk about temples which was really great and he also translated another boy’s talk into German and read it, and Hazel and Ethne both memorized their parts (Ethne’s in English), and we worked and worked with them almost every night so they knew all the words to all the songs. 

Our primary has nine kids in it, three of whom speak no English, two of whom speak almost no German, and four who speak both.  So though our numbers are few compared to many wards I’ve lived in, the challenges are a bit different.  (And next month when our two nursery kids come in (one of whom is Talmage), there will be another one who knows no German and one who speaks only Swiss German, and no High German.  Sheesh.)

So we have a lady in our ward who plays the harp, so we were lucky to have her accompany two of the songs.  It was really nice, but she had never made it to practice with us, so we were winging it.  And then I had kindof gotten a piano solo together just to play while the kids were going up to the stand in case the harpist wasn’t there- but in the end we had extra time so I ended up playing it, and luckily it went really well even though I had not practiced much at all.  (It’s a very nice arrangement of Praise to the Man, found here.  Although I’m listening to the version on the website right now and realizing I play it about ten times faster.  Maybe not quite ten times, but a lot faster.  And I like it faster.)

Anyway, we put in some extra songs since we have very few kids and needed to take a bit more time, plus songs are always good.  So I found an arrangement for ‘I Am A Child of God’ at freewardchoirmusic.com and I personally think it was the highlight.  When we sang it I looked up and saw a few people with teary eyes.  Brett said he loved it, and had teary eyes himself.  So, I recorded our kids singing it at the practice on Saturday, and while it’s not anywhere near as nice as hearing it for REAL, you can take a listen if you’d like.

Oh yeah, one funny thing was at the beginning the primary president was introducing each of the kids and they each stood up as she said their name.  She said Ethne’s name, realized no one could see her behind the stand, and lifted her up in the air for a second, then set her back down.  Maybe you just had to see it, but it was cute.

Brett invited some of his coworkers to come, and they did, so that was pretty awesome.  All in all, it was a really really nice program.

While I’m on the topic of church, can I just say that I love my ward (congregation)?  It’s really great—I love that on any given Sunday, the opening prayer might be said in English, a talk in Spanish, translated to German (which is then always translated to English by headset), a blessing on the sacrament in French…  it’s pretty cool.  I usually don’t get to listen to anything, because it’s pretty difficult to wrestle a baby and four kids (remember, Brett’s on the stand) and keep your headset on.  But hey, who am I kidding, it’s pretty much impossible to listen when you have little kids even when you aren’t relying on a headset. 

In other news, Brett’s leaving to the United States of AMERICA on Wednesday.  He and two coworkers are going to Vanderbilt University in Nashville to spy on their competition.  I keep saying that because I think it’s funny and he keeps shaking his head at me and saying they’re collaborating.  Anyway, he’ll be gone for a few days and he’ll get to be in the U.S. for the first time in about two years. 

And guess what.  I’M going to be in the US for the first time in two years (almost exactly) when I fly to Arizona for my sister’s wedding on the day after Christmas!!!  And, get this… I’ll be ALL BY MYSELF.  It’s going to be totally outrageous to be without children.  Outrageous and AWESOME.  Think about it—two 20 hour plane rides to read, sleep, look out the window, or do whatever the heck I want because I’m not trying to help any kids go to the bathroom or eat their snacks, or pick up their snacks from all over the seats and floor, or get them to stop crying and go to sleep, etc. etc.  I’m pretty pumped.  Pray for Brett—he’s never really done much time by himself with all the kids.  :)