Sunday, October 18, 2009

Talking In Sacrament Meeting

Today our whole family (minus Emily) spoke in sacrament meeting. The bishop asked us to speak on the Atonement. What a loaded subject! We decided to not philosophize, but to talk about what the Atonement means to us in our daily lives by sharing personal stories and feelings because the Atonement means something different to everyone. It's simply that personal. Hopefully, we helped others feel of Christ's love for them individually through our testimonies.

We were given the option of having a youth speaker or allow our children to speak during the first few minutes of sacrament meeting. We reluctantly choose to have our children speak not knowing how that would pan out. The kids were scared at first, but after a few days they got used to the idea.

Wing and I spent so much time working on our own talks that we didn't prepare the children's talks until Saturday evening. While I was putting the finishing touches on my own talk, the kids were outside playing with some neighbors. Kate got caught in the middle of a tug-a-war and got her arm painfully pulled out of the socket and came home in pain and tears running down her little cheeks. I ended up in the emergency room with her while Wing helped Parker and Grace plan their talks. When I returned from the ER with a happy and fixed Kate at 11:30 p.m., Parker and Grace were busy rehearsing their talks to Daddy. Can I just say that they did an awesome job!? I was so proud of them! Wing had them choose there favorite scripture about the Savior and tell their feelings about that scripture and why they liked it. The only other help they had was how to organize their talks with an opening, body, closing and testimony. Kate did an awesome job too and actually prepared her talk days in advance. She knew exactly what to say.

On Sunday morning, we put on our best faces and delivered an awesome sacrament meeting! (Am I allowed to say that?) The Durrants held Emmy for us because Wing and I were more nervous than the kids were and just couldn't deal with her little wiggles. Parker, Grace and Kate had a quiet confidence about them. I think that children feel the spirit easier than adults because those three were actually excited to deliver the talks they had prepared. The spoke with clear confidence. Their excitement really prepared the stage for their parents. We are so proud of our three little spiritual leaders!


Kate was so proud of her "written" talk and beamed with delight when she waved her paper at the Durrants while sitting on stage. Kate can't read, but holding the paper meant a lot to her. I read her the words and she repeated them in the micorphone.  Her friend, Jessica, said it just wasn't fair that Kate got to sit up there and talk. 




Page 1 of Grace's talk.




Page 2 of Grace's talk. She really captured her personality and what was important to her. She even went the extra mile to make talking in sacrament fun by adding her artistic touch. Too cute!




Parker's talk. He added his own jokes without any help. What a man! He definitely takes after his Daddy.

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