Monday, December 31, 2012

Reptition

Repition is sortof a given when you're LDS.

We do a lot of stuff a lot of times in hopes that eventually we'll learn what we're supposed to. We believe (not doctrine, just common experience) that the same story or experience will be different at different times in your life. So we do things over and over and over again. The same stories, the same commandments, the same meetings on the same topics. We listen, process and repeat.

When we went to our new ward for the first time we were excited and happy to see some wisdom and maturity in the ward. We were confident we would be sent to nursery with the other young children who can't sit through 3 whole hours of meetings.

That's why I was so confused when Brother Beck said "We'd like to call you to serve as the secretary...." and I thought Nursery has a secretary in this ward? Awesome! "....to the Relief Society."

I stammered some kind of "yeah sure, I think I can do that." response and stumbled out of the meeting in a stupor. I texted Josh whose immediate response was "awesome! when are we moving?"

In our last neighborhood I was lucky enough to serve as the Relief Society Secretary for 3 years and 9 different sisters as presidency members. I loved it and I loved the sisters I served with and each time there was a change in the presidency I was excited for the new sisters I would get to know better and I especially LOVED the opportunity to do something I was good at for church.

A dear friend of mine taught me about a time in her life that she and her husband each had multiple demanding callings. But it was also a time in their lives that they were asking for a lot from their heavenly father. They needed miracles in their life and were thankful that they could show their willingness to serve and attempt to repay the debt they felt they owed for their personal miracles.

When I got the call (and all through that calling) I felt much the same way. The type of miracles I needed changed significantly through the 3 years I served, (starting with financial needs, ending with spiritual needs) but I never quite felt like I was going to be OK without a lot of significant help from my Heavenly Father. I was thankful to prove my willingness to work and to sacrifice. To earn my blessings in a way. (Not that I think you earn blessings....I don't believe that....)

Anyway, my need for help hasn't diminished at all, so I am thankful again to have the opportunity to give my time and talents in church service. And I'm certain there are things I still need to learn from this position. A lot of things.

But at the same time: again?!?!

9 comments:

  1. Loved this Amy! Well written thoughts! xoxo
    Good luck with your calling... again.

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  2. As far as I can tell, that is how it supposed to work. I have moved many times to get the same calling again: 3 times in the Primary presidency and twice as the Visiting Teaching Coordinator. I like experiencing the callings in different wards and with different people. There is always so much to learn and so much service to give. I'm excited for you!

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  3. I have a friend who has been a teacher in Relief Society for the last 8 years, in at least 3 different wards. She finally got a different calling as Relief Society president! So there's always that :) J/K! You are the best RS Secretary! Good luck!

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    1. Oy! Now you've cursed me. :) that would be worse....

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  4. I love reading your posts. This was good for me today. I was telling my Josh that I love teaching primary but I am starting to feel like I'd really like to do something else. I wondering what I still need to learn from this calling. I started teaching at 17. I've taught primary for 9 of the last 11 years.

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  5. HAHAHA! I haven't written my post about this yet but would you believe I just got put in as primary secretary...for the THIRD time! :D I was stake primary secretary for a few years, then the primary secretary in Egypt, then I had a break with sunbeams/Valiant 10, and now I'm the primary secretary again.

    Some people are just GOOD at why they do, right Amy?

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    1. Oy! Primary secretary is the hardest job ever. And to put you in at the end of the year....? Rude.,:)

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  6. Way to be a responsible and organized person. Seriously, the Relief Society would flop over dead if I were the secretary. Sorry for the lack of variety, but I'm sure you'll be such a blessing to your ward.

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  7. Yay!! That's SO awesome!! :) Just as long as your still my VT partner! ... Speaking of which... LOL

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