hard things

A while ago, well about a week and a half ago, I did two things that I never thought I would do.  A few weeks before this I was asked to teach Relief Society and so I, instead of actually "teaching," tried to lead a discussion about the topic which was the Holy Ghost.  Luckily I've had some experiences with it and was able to share them in hopes of coaxing participation from the other ladies.  There were about fifteen women there and most of them just stared at me.  A few graciously responded to my questions and volunteered but I was relieved when I finished.
As many of you know, I have a severe and nerve-wracking fear of public speaking, especially when I feel like I don't have anything to say.  I prepared for the lesson but mostly just prayed that I would be able to get through the lesson and keep them engaged.  When the time came to teach, as I stood up, I felt only peace and calm and I knew that Heavenly Father had heard my prayers and had the Holy Ghost help me in my time of need.  Those feelings of peace stayed with me throughout the entire lesson and kept me going the entire time.  Afterwards, several of the women, including some who had not spoken and who I've not seen before, thanked me for my lesson.  The calmness was a great testament to the very subject I had to speak on and I am so glad to know that I can in fact teach Relief Society though I am not going to be volunteering any time soon.

The other hard thing I did was that same day and involved more public appearances.  About a month or so ago one of our professors was asked to do a fireside in Brighton and asked to make it a musical fireside.  As always, it seems like most the girls on this trip can sing or play an instrument and though I wanted to participate I volunteered for the choir.  During one of three practices we went over hymns and arrangements and it was decided to do a quintet.  After some prevaricating on my part, I agreed to sing one of the alto parts, we had two sopranos and one girl sing a high tenor.  When it came time to sing, I was terrified; not only was I in front of a room full of people but I was also singing, one thing I have never been confident of.  The same professor's wife is wonderful and so supportive and through her and some other girls I had the confidence to sing and it turned out wonderfully.  These two experiences helped me to grow and learn more about myself than I learn in a month and I am so glad I forced myself to do both of them.

L-R: Me, Courtney, Maddy, Madeline (in the back)

I managed to find one photo from the Brighton trip.