Amy and I only had a couple plans for yesterday, it’s just that every plan took longer than planned, and we finally crawled into bed at about 4 a.m.
Luckily, I have a very short commute to church. In fact, I have church over the phone. And as such, my commute is simply an 18 number code away. (19 if you count pushing the mute button. I count it, it’s important.)
There are some aspects of church, like taking roll, that takes much longer than it would in a brick and mortar building. There are some other things, like transitioning between classes, that takes MUCH less time than it ever did in the family ward back home. Of course, I think the singles ward I went to used to plan a longer break between classes, because their purpose was to marry us off.
Today, I taught Sunday School. And I find that I look at the clock a LOT more on days when I teach. I thought I’d share church with all of you:
9:49 Hit snooze
9:56 Turn alarm off, find red glowing light that signifies the phone.
9:57 Call into church. Dial code. Find out I’m the 6th person to call in. Be surprised that I’m this early. Usually there are already 24 parties in conference, including me.
10:00 On the dot: start church. Opening song, opening prayer, and 6 minutes for roll call.
10:18 hititng mute for the passing of the sacrament for those families with priesthood holders.
10:23-11:00 two talks
11:01: Closing prayer for sacrament meeting
11:02 opening prayer for Sunday School
11:03 Start lesson
Freak out a little because I don't think I have enough material to take up the time to 11:40.
11:08 Realize that I hadn't asked for any group participation. Ask for help.
Heave a sigh of relief that I didn't get cut off, and had been talking to an empty phone-line.
11:15 Unsolicited volunteers!!
11:18 Group Questions- wonderful answers
11:32 Realize that I have too much information left, and not enough time. Start to condense remaining lesson.
11:42 Done! I feel a little guilty for going over, but it was only two minutes. And it's not like I'm letting my class out after the other teachers are, and holding up everyone. After all, we only have the one line, and everyone is on it at once.
11:42 Closing prayer.
11:42 Turning meeting over to Priesthood/Relief Society
11:43 Opening prayer.
Because this is the 5th Sunday, the men and women's auxiliaries are meeting together. We are discussing raising children in the bush, and teaching them the gospel.
I am not the only person online right now. Facebook tells me so. Of course, I can't feel guilty that they see me online, since they're online to see me. I had a similar situation at a thrift store as a child. My mom was looking for second-hand furniture. After all, if bunk beds made it through one set of twins, it's more likely to make it through a second set. I ran into a friend from school, and she was very embarrassed to be seen at the thrift store. She didn't seem to notice that I was there too, but felt the need to make excuses for why she was there.
But I digress.
12:11 A woman in the congregation who has small children is discussing her 8 year old son. I've met him while traveling. He is a pretty awesome kid. Actually, their whole family is amazing. And I love her especially because she comments during lessons, which helps others feel like they can share. Also, she loves Settlers of Catan, and that is also wonderful.
12:27 I feel the lesson wrapping up.
12:35 Closing prayer.
12:35 Hanging up the phone, and leaving my room to wash some dishes.
Thanks for joining me for church today.
I feel as if I were there.
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