The Sinks Are Always Cleaner...

In our church we carry out volunteer positions. My position or "calling" is that of the stake primary music coordinator, which is a fancy way of saying that I am in charge of all the music for the children and train the music leaders on how to conduct or teach the music to the little ones. I have had this calling for over 2 years now and I really like it.
Last night we had an auxiliary training meeting for all the primary presidencies and their music leaders. It was to be a brainstorming session where the leaders could get ideas from each other to spark new creativity. At the beginning of the brainstorming session I was to teach the new song for 2011-2012 to all the leaders, I was also in charge of decorations and making some of the refreshments. I was quite stressed about the song in particular...I love to sing but I don't love doing solos, especially when they aren't written for altos (which undoubtedly I am). I just feel so vulnerable standing there...all eyes on me...everyone waiting for the virtuoso songbird only to hear a squawking crow of a singer. I really struggled with trying to get some direction as to how the song should be presented?, what did the teachers need to hear?, what tools/ideas could I provide them to make their jobs easier? I finally settled on painting a large earth and discussing with the teachers different opportunities that we have when we come to earth and what help does God provide us. We came up with the symbols or drawings together for each part of the verse and stuck them on the earth (since the song begins "I came to earth...."). It went well, and despite my shaking I got through it. In retrospect I can see that my prayers were answered and I got the direction I was looking for and was able to keep it simple but effective. It's nice to know that you aren't all alone, even when you feel like you are sometimes.

After teaching the song I sat with the music leaders in the brainstorming session. After about 5 minutes into the  session my friend Emigen started packing up her baby getting ready to leave. I said to her "are you leaving?", she told me her husband had a meeting in 10 min and she had to get home to her other 4 little ones. I told her "I'll go watch your kiddos and you stay for the meeting". Normally, my dear Emigen would never take me up on the offer. She is one of the most amazing mothers, homemakers I know. She is such a constant inspiration to me...not because her house is always spotless and exquisitely decorated but because its not and she is ok with that. I admire her frugality and organizational skills. Her home is welcoming and charming and modest and I feel at home there. She doesn't put on heirs or pretension trying to be someone she is not. She is very adept at balancing her 5 little ones and making sure that their needs, and nutrition come first. She spends hours and hours reading to them and teaching them and creating with them...paint, clay, markers, crayons etc. She is a darling mother and as a result of her vigilance and care her kids are so well behaved, loving, kind, creative and fantastic readers!
Much to my surprise she took me up on the offer and I headed over to her house. I helped the kids with their homework while stacking the dishwasher and cleaning up from supper. The older kids got their baths finished up and I read to the younger ones. I got teeth brushed and prayers said and tucked them all into bed. I noticed a bounce in my step and excitement in my voice being able to take care of these darling children knowing that my dear friend would be coming home to less worry, less mess and might be able to enjoy her evening a little more if I worked a little harder. Why is it so much more fun to clean someone else's home than your own?? Suddenly a peace came to me and I felt closer to my Savior than I had in a long time.. so grateful to have had the precious opportunity of time dedicated to worrying about someone else and not just my little space.