What is the biggest test of faith when it comes to living the gospel? For a coffee-lover, it might be giving up your favorite beverage. For a boater, it might be giving up your Sundays on the lake. But for many of us it is the annual Primary sacrament meeting presentation. Today was our dress rehearsal, in the chapel. I would compare it to Saturday afternoon...at Wal-Mart...two days before Halloween. ("Chorister down on aisle 5...")
The best thing I can say is that no one died.
Children who suddenly can't read in either English or Spanish. An entire Primary who listen to the prelude for "I Want to Live the Gospel," a song they have practiced about 400 times, and look at you like you have just launched into the opening notes of the Swedish national anthem. An eleven year old narrator who decides ten minutes into rehearsal that "this is dumb" and instantly loses the power of speech. A ten year old who gets a big laugh when he dives onto the floor and twitches after reading his part and decides to permanently incorporate the move into his portion of the program. A chorister who decides after the second song that "It's time someone else learns how to do this!" and hands her big box of lyric posters to the pathologically shy second counselor.
By the time we finished there wasn't an adult in the room who didn't have a migraine and a head full of homicidal thoughts. Someone (not me) thought it was a good idea to schedule another rehearsal on Friday night. I thought we should just go for it on Sunday and let the bodies fall where they may. My inability to communicate my opinion in Spanish, though, left me disenfranchised.
The good thing about Primary sacrament meeting presentations is that they roll forward like gospel truth and the stuff that drove you nearly insane during practice takes on a kind of charm when presented to beaming parents who somehow get the message and are moved by the Spirit. And that is how we know that the gospel is true. It thrives despite us.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
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Oh boy I am trying to forget that our program is approaching very quickly. I really almost wish that my mysterious illness that landed me in the hospital a few weeks ago would reappear. I could have a little hospital stay and avoid the hours of song practice that we have scheduled for the next few weeks. Today after we just finished practicing I'll Follow Him in Faith for the umtenth time. My primary presdent asked me if we could slow the song down a little for the preformance. I told her, once again, that I really know nothing about music that I am sure we could I just stand here with posters and signs that she needed to talk to the pianist (I think she thinks I am just being modest I can't stress to her enough that I know NOTHING about music she just doesn't believe me).
ReplyDeleteFor some reason (probably my fault) "I'll Follow Him in Faith" has become a march tune in our branch. It sounds like the marine choir singing it.
ReplyDeleteI say the more falling to the ground and crazy antics the better. It makes it more entertaining for the audience and the parents can see what delightful hooligans their kids are (as if they'll care). I mean what do they expect, really?
ReplyDeleteI have decided to participate more in the blogging world so here goes:
ReplyDeleteI think your branch may take the cake on chaotic primary presentations, however- I did have 6 3-year-olds (1 of which is autistic) who had to be pumped with teddy grahams for the entire 30 minutes just to keep quiet during our program. Oh- and 2 of them had to actually be taken out the closest exit because they HAD to go potty during the program. So...I think I can nominate our ward as a runner up in the disaster catagory.
Clare
yay clare left a comment... I'm so jealous!!! :(
ReplyDeletelike the new look!
ReplyDeletevery nice look to the blog. I like to occasionally change mine up too.
ReplyDelete