I have been so blessed lately. In December, I had the opportunity to work with your Primary children to present music at our Stake Nativity Festival. Through March and into April, I had the opportunity to assist the children in presenting music for Stake Conference. The children are so good, and I want to take this opportunity to say "Thank You" for the lessons that you have taught them. We couldn't have accomplished these wonderful events without you.
You helped me from day one. Some you were my sounding board as I tried to figure out how to organize an entire stake's worth of children. Thank you.
You accepted the challenge to add one, two, or more songs to your already full schedules in Sharing Time and Singing Time. Thank you.
You show up every Sunday with smiles and love. Thank you.
As I think about these wonderful people that we work with in Primary, I am so grateful that you said yes: you accepted your calling. Thank you. You may have accepted it with full confidence in the talents that you have been blessed with and the talents you have developed. Or you may have accepted your calling with trepidation, unsure about the talents that you have been blessed with and unsure whether your development was up to a weekly presentation. Thank you.
I encourage you to think about your music partner. Often, when we are first given the opportunity to work together, we accommodate the needs of the other, because they are fresh in our minds. But as time goes along, we will naturally slide back to our comfort levels, to our normal routines, and to the level of preparation that works best for us. I encourage you to think about your partner. Are you providing that person enough information to allow them to be most prepared for Sunday? Are you as a music team doing everything that you can do to bring the Spirit and teach the gospel to the children?
I encourage you to take a few minutes next Sunday, or even pick up the phone or send an email this week, and check in with your counterpart. Are you on the same page? Are you providing enough information and enough time? Is there anything that you need to help you be most prepared and ready?
If you are uncomfortable asking for more time, more information, or anything else that you might need to magnify your calling, please talk to your ward or stake primary presidency. You are part of our stewardship, and we want to do everything that we can to help you succeed. Because when you succeed, you share your testimony and your love. And you feel and share God's love with his children. That is the true measure of success.
Sara Hammond
Arlington Stake Primary Music and Nursery Leader
