Monday, July 12, 2010

Come Follow Me

"Come Follow Me" (116)
Just saying those words can bring the spirit into a room. I had a hard time getting through this song on Sunday without some emotion. The words are not familiar, but they convey a powerful message. The Primary president did a fabulous job with sharing time also, showing the children how Jesus showed love and how we can follow him.
Can you imagine the Savior standing there, holding out his hand to you and in his soul piercing voice saying, "Come Follow Me"? That phrase and "Well done thou good and faithful servant" always bring tears to my eyes.
As I introduced this song to the Senior Primary, we used the hymn books. I had them look at the time signature and we talked about how we would lead this song. We also talked about how fast or slow the song should be. It says at the top, "humbly" and we discussed that this was not like another favorite, "How Firm a Foundation "(#76). This song would be more like a sacrament song. I told them that some songs are songs to shout for joy about the gospel and Jesus and some songs are to represent his humility and gentleness.
We went over several words and phrases, such as "effulgent rays" and as we were doing this, I had the pianist softly playing the song in the background. They, of course, did a fabulous job singing and made my heart want to burst with their sweet singing voices!
I bore my testimony to the children that this song talks about how if we are willing to follow in his footsteps, that we will be blessed with the spirit in our lives and ultimately be able to return and live with our Heavenly Father.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

All my hard work has paid off......

I wasn't actually there to witness it...I was at home with a sick little girl.
But, all my hard work paid off!
I have been teaching the primary children to led music.
We practice on random songs.
Some weeks we learn a song and learn how to lead it,
sometimes we lead a song we already know.
I made simple posters from the hymn book
and used them to show the children
the way to move their arms with the beat of the music.
I even taught them the 6/8 time!

So, this weekend when they were visiting some good friends,
they attended church in the branch.
I guess no one could lead the music, so Xander, my son, did it!
I can't believe I missed it!
I am so proud of him and so happy I taught him and the other primary children to lead music!
He told me later, "Mom, it was so easy! Every song was in 4/4 time!"
I am so proud of him and it just reminded me again how important my calling is!
Leading music is a skill everyone should know!
A simple poster and a few practices and the kids will be pros!!!!
Just an FYI, my husband took the picture BEFORE the opening song...he was so proud of Xander he couldn't resist, but promised me it was before the sacrament!