Little card, HUGE impact
Two weeks ago, I received a new calling in addition to my calling as Relief Society instructor…
Den mother.
Yes, you heard me right. Den mother. I was as surprised as you are. I have no sons. I know NOTHING about scouting. I even had to ask what the heck a den mother was! After a brief explanation from the member of the Bishopric, I accepted.
Last night I went to my first Roundtable and Committee meetings. I left feeling COM.PLETE.LY. overwhelmed. It was too much. There is so much I don’t know. I could not have been more clueless. I am not starting from square one, I am starting from whichever “square” is a mile behind square one. I wanted to cry right there in the middle of the Wolf, Bear and Webelo pack. (You’ll be glad to know I waited until I got home.)
Lest you think I am whimpy and incapable of taking on new tasks and learning new things – that wasn’t the cause of my meltdown.
It was everything.
It was the songs that need to be written for the new CD.
It was the 20 extra volunteer hours I just found out I need to do at the school in addition to the 40 I’ve already done.
It was the preparation that needs to be done for the TOFW 2013 tour.
It was the song that needed to be written for TOFW.
It was the R.S. lesson that I need to plan for this month.
It was everything else a mom and wife needs to do on a regular basis.
It. Was. Everything.
(Please tell me you’ve had days like this…??)
I came home and called my husband, who was out of town. I told him all my concerns and listened to his comforting advice and encouragement.
Then, I went up to put on my pajamas, all the while wishing I could eat a Reese’s shake, and found a card from my note-writing-13- year-old daughter who was already asleep for the night.
It was Heaven sent. She said everything I needed to hear. I don’t know how she knew, but she knew. I honestly felt like she said what Heavenly Father would have said to me if He could have sat with me that night.
I am so grateful for her love…and her note.
Blog to you soon,
Hilary
January 10th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
Best wishes on finding the time and energy to do all of those things.
January 10th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I hear you….I to am a mother of girls as well….and was called to be a Cub leader last year. My first thought was yikes then quickly replaced with,”Ill go where you want me to go, I’ll do what you want me to do.” I might not understand the wisdom in teaching a cub pack. But I am willing to do what is required of me.
And I found out, I loved those little boys….those wild crazy want to pull out your hair boys. Now I am a councilor in Primary and still teaching those reverant little boys. Who knew…lol
January 11th, 2013 at 1:46 am
Hi- have no fear ( at least for now)
my husband and I volunteer with a cub pack with Hispanic and Haitian boys and drive the hour each week to be with them. It’s not a calling since we said just (rather I said my husband and I would do it) until you can get someone trained. WE have come to love these boys and I know when the time comes it will be hard to give it up. I’ve had two sons and I still feel lost at times- so hang in there. Maybe there’s a song in there somewhere…..
January 11th, 2013 at 10:08 pm
I felt the same way when I got called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher. You wonder if that was really inspired, and it takes a lot of faith to go forward and believe that it was. And somehow, God prepares the way for you to accomplish it. You don’t know how, because you can’t see it, you just move through it and realize you are witnessing miracles (like a card). The biggest challenges can turn into the biggest blessings–but you know that. Perhaps a song will come out of it all… Something along the lines of ‘are you ever burdened with a load of care?’ I know I could use a song like that.
January 11th, 2013 at 10:29 pm
It’s scary when we’re thrown out of our comfort zones – you, mother of girls, thrown into cub scouts – me, mother of boys, fostering an 8 year old girl for 58 days. Both are shocking, but I’d like to think Heavenly Father is preparing us for the future. Perhaps you shall have grandsons, and I shall have granddaughters – and we’ll know exactly what to do!
Good luck with your Cubbies. They really can be fun!
January 11th, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Wow! You are so awesome, I was truly surprised to hear you were so overwhelmed. But, then again – not! I love your music, I love listening to you at TOFW etc. etc. I love that you have a note writing daughter…. I have one to. Except this year she is turning 30 and just moved to Kansas City, MO. Be still my heart!!! I’m so thankful for cell phones, email, skype, and all that. I’m sure Heavenly Father is just as thankful for Prayer as I am for those things. It’s nice to communicate with those daughters of ours. So – write that note to Him – get down on your knees – he’ll help you with those boys…. you’ll learn to love them! Maybe not as much as your “note writing daughter” but that’s ok. Those “note writers” are hard to pass up!
January 12th, 2013 at 7:59 am
This post is everything I really admire about you as a person…of course, I love your music, but knowing that you are a normal woman (just like the rest of us) is the main reason I keep coming back to your blog!
My last calling in the US, before moving to China, was den leader. I think Scouts is the one area of callings where it is “different” than the other areas. “Scouters” are intense! And they mean business! They have it running through their blood. Take a deep breath and know that you are there to serve the Lord, through those boys, and you will be totally fine. Don’t be like me and think you have to get caught up in being the perfect Cub Scout Den Leader! Leave that for the scouters;)
You can do it!
Jen
January 18th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
When we moved about 1 year ago, I soon got called to be a cub scout leader. I was not happy, overwhelmed, and I did cry… I was asked right before church on Sunday, and was having a hard time keeping my face intact! Trying hard not to cry, I made it through church and then cried like crazy at home. I have since been released and am now teaching Relief Society. I have no advice! I can’t say I understand why scouts is a part of the church (my husband told me I need to gain a testimony of it!), but the boys are so fun and so excited!
January 20th, 2013 at 11:39 pm
I LOVE Reese’s shakes! and that’s what I always want when I have had an overwhelming day. Thanks for sharing. You have an awesome daughter who must be “in tune”. Like Jen says, its good knowing that you are a normal like the rest of us … Keep on keepin’ on.
January 22nd, 2013 at 11:33 pm
Not only have I had those kinda days, I have had those kinda weeks! I remember being called as a den mother when my son was just a toddler. I new N.O.T.H.I.N.G. about scouts other than being dragged to the few Banquets my brothers had in Boy scouts. However, I SURVIVED! Not only that, I loved those little guys and I still love hearing about their growing up years from their Moms on Facebook!
You have so much to offer these boys, and even better, they have so much to offer you too!
love ya bunches!
January 26th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
i was recently released as r.s. president and called as wolf den leader… and i’ll tell ya what – i was overwhelmed. scouts – wow. there’s a lot that goes into that. and the pine wood derby. Wow… it’s like a family project.
I’ve definitely had those days of ‘it . was . everything’… crashed down at the same time.
heard your non-talk
in lehi today. you did fabulous. nobody would have ever known you left your talk in ogden.
thanks for the positive thoughts. i’m going to start clicking!