Sunday, March 21, 2010

New Calling

Out with the old, in with the new. I got a new calling today (which wasn't a surprise since at our Mid-week RS Activity one of the counselors told me she was sorry that I wasn't going to be the chorister anymore...which was a surprise!). I could be like my oldest brother who blogs that he got a new calling, but didn't tell what it was (grrr), but that would be no fun and ruin the post I have written in my head.
Have you ever cried when you got a calling? I don't mean cried because you felt the Spirit so strongly you cried, but I mean, cried. Ya, I've never heard of anyone doing that before. I've heard of people not really wanting the calling (had a few of those) but accepting it anyway because that's what they were taught to do, or not accepting the calling (which is a little foreign to me because I grew up learning that you say yes to callings). Well, I accepted being a Nursery Worker, and when the counselor left my house I cried. A lot. I cried when Dan hugged me and said some really sweet things to try to make me feel better. I cried when I was putting on my eye make-up (which, just in case you were wondering, doesn't work extremely well, but I persevered and got the stuff on, which is quite the feat for me regardless of wet eyes or not), I cried during the opening hymn in Sacrament meeting, and finally got a hold of myself. Although I was told by some friends that I definitely didn't look happy when they announced my name and have you stand...Ooops. But in my defense this was hopefully because I had just been crying and was trying not to look like it. But on the bright side I was wearing foundation so I didn't turn all blotchy (well, you couldn't see it as well) as I normally do when I cry. I can't even blame the crying on the fact that I'm a girl, because I've had callings before that I wasn't extremely excited about and never cried then. And come on...who cries when they get a calling. That's just pathetic. It shouldn't have come as a surprise, but for some reason Nursery didn't occur to me. Primary did (and yes, technically I know they are apart of each other, but to me they are separate entities). Actually, my first day today in Nursery wasn't so bad. I'll admit I have concerns with having both Cole and Caden in there with me, but the time passed quickly and it should be pretty good. I was asked to do the music, and since I have strong views on this it should be okay. The two ladies that I met were nice and we should get along. The kids are cute, and it will take me a while to remember their names. The embarrassing thing is, the names that I can't remember are the kids that their moms are in there with them...
I realize I'm not going to get any sympathy from this post. Who hasn't worked in the Nursery? Given the different wards we've been in it is actually amazing that I haven't worked in there sooner. But this is my trial. Most people have trials like illness, or losing jobs, but something big like that...me...it's the Nursery. But hey, I'll take it. I don't particularly want that big stuff, so I'll happily endure to the end with mine. Happy was the key word there. I'm almost convinced...well, I'm working on it anyway.

18 comments:

Karen said...

I'm not quite sure if I should say congratulations or I'm so sorry!

I was actually shocked they didn't call me to Nursery when we moved into this ward (I've been called into it in every other ward), so I can definitely understand. I think I cried every day after church that first year (but that was mostly due to a little girl who liked to try to strangle the smaller children). Wishing you the best.

Catherine said...

Nursery can be a lot of fun!!! I loved being nursery leader. With that said, now that I have a daughter in Nursery it is not a calling I want now! It is really really hard with Madilyn in Nursery. I sub a lot lately. It is hard on Madilyn (she doesnt like to share me and has a hard time going to nursery anyway). It is hard to be a worker in there and not want to defend my own child more. I feel your pain. But you will be great. The kids love music!!

Jewelle said...

I got called to the nursery in my last ward. I had just found out I was pregnant and I was sick beyond belief. I cried when I got the calling. I cried almost every time I came home from nursery. I worked with two other ladies who wouldn't do anything but sit and gab with each other the whole time. So I spent the whole time taking care of 10 kids. I convinced my hubby to come help me since I was getting sicker as my pregnancy went on. This made things a little easier. When the time came for this calling to be over I realized I was going to miss it. Those children make such an impression on you. Don't get me wrong, i don't want to teach nursery again, but I look back on my time and know that I loved it even if it was hard. I'm sure you will feel this way too. Most people I've talked to feel this way too.

Oh and you're right having your kids in their with you is not easy {Lily was in their when I was}. Sorry :(

michelle said...

I have felt like crying at some of the callings Collin has received...does that count?:)

Amber said...

You. Have. My. Complete. Sympathy. I'm in Nursery, too, and while it's pretty easy compared to a lot of other callings I've had, it's not my first choice either.. I will think of you each week, and hopefully we'll get through it together.. :D

Jennie said...

I've cried when I got a calling. At first I laughed at them and said they must be joking, then I cried. Cub scouts (shudder). I struggled with it more than I have any calling. I don't particularly care for nursery either, but it was better than cub scouts. I hope you will learn to enjoy it, or at least some of the children in there. Good luck!!

Jillyn said...

When we moved into our new ward i thought i would be put into nursery...(i've been in it twice now) but when i had my new member interview with the bishop and he asked me if there was any callings i wouldn't want, i said nursery...i just didn't think i would be able to handle it.

So i was put into cub scouts....wow was that a calling i was never expecting! I thought i'd get primary worker or YW or something (which would be super fun!).

But nursery gets easier with time. Some days are a little stressful, but just try to have fun and love the kids :)

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've ever cried, but I sure have felt like it. And vent all you want! I can sympathize. Well, not totally, I was only in the nursery for one week (yay for pregnancy!) but I think I would feel the same way.
ANYWAY, that being said, I bet you will do a wonderful job in there. I see you with your kids and the kids you watch and you are very patient and fun-loving and creative, and just wonderful. So, even though it might be a bit of kid-overload for you, you will do well at it.
(And anytime you need to vent, I'm only a phone call away...assuming my phone is charged/within reach/not lost, etc.) Or email works too. :)

Andrea said...

You hid your crying very well. Your voice didn't sound shaky when I yelled up the stairs to see if you got a calling, and you didn't look like you'd been crying.

Crystal said...

I would cry if I got called to nursery too. Don't feel bad. It is the absolute last calling I ever want (too many years working in daycare) followed closely by primary teacher. And I wouldn't have a good attitude about it. It would take me a long time to even not be resentful of the whole thing, so you are way ahead of where I would be. Hats off Tarah.

Loni said...

I'd love to give you encouragement, but unfortunately I understand about the crying, not that I cried at that position I felt I didn't want, but the emotion, well. . . you know what I'm talking about.
Salutes to your for accepting the calling. I know you will give it your best and you really need to have Dan take you out at least one evening each week without the kids.
GO TARAH!!!

worth reading said...

Oh Tarah, I miss you! you make me laugh -- I didn't love nursery at first, but I grew to love it and the children. Soon you'll be crying when they move away! You can make this fun! I still miss my little group of girls I taught and watched grow for three years. Maybe you should look threw some of your old primary presidency folders you would hand out to newly called nursery workers... and the importance of the calling, it helped me :)

Ma & Pa J. said...

With your storytelling talents you will be the biggest hit with those kids! You know how I feel about the nursery. I have strong feelings that this is where their little testimonies begin. It's their first experience in the Church. Bubbles work wonders too! I have tons of visuals for singing time I would be glad to share! I am excited! But I also understand why you feel the way you do.

Anonymous said...

As soon as you asked, "have you ever cried bc of a calling?" the first thing that came to me was, yeah, I've balled my eyes out both times that I've been called into the nursery. You are not alone dear sister in law. I wish I could laugh at your post, but I feel too much empathy for you. Caden & Cole? This is a lot to take on. Your right, everyone takes their turn, I just wish It wasn't until my little ones weren't little ones. I've found that if everyone(I mean the nursery workers) is on board with having a schedule of with all the good stuff(music time, lesson time, snack time, art time, of course play time) It can be soooo much fun. Toy time for 2 hrs is slow moving. I will be thinking about you much my dear. Attitude is everything, I know you know this.

Anonymous said...

...and I just read Carol Lee's comment and she is so on the money! If we as young mothers can get past the "why its hard for us to be in nursery" wonderful things can happen for both the teacher and nursery child.

Manndi said...

I had a similar (crying) reaction to being called to primary chorister. I liked it more than I thought I would, but I'm glad to be done with it now. Actually my favorite part was doing nursery singing time. I've never been called to nursery itself, but I loved singing with the kids. We sang the sunbeam song, I am Like a Star, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Wheels on the Bus every week and they loved it.

Beth said...

Had I not already been pregnant, I would have seriously considered getting pregnant just to be released from nursery after the first 6 months or so. I think its by far the hardest, yet one of the most fun callings in the church. Good Luck. Our kids really liked it when I glued pictures of Book of Mormons to sticks and had them hold them up everytime I said "scriptures" in my stories. I've had a few lessons go really well, and some just not really go anywhere. :0) Its okay to cry, but try not to in front of the kids.

The Bott Family said...

I would cry to and yes, I cried when I got my calling. Well, not cried was just annoyed and shocked and annoyed and mad and annoyed. It was the one calling I DID NOT want. I like it now, well sometimes. I guess I just do it because I know I need to and I do it for the girls. Anyway, Good luck! You'll do great. I won't give you words of encouragement because honestly you probably do not want to hear them. You just want to be sad about it and get through it. I will say, GOOD LUCK because you will need it. You are awesome!