It's always worth it.

It's a funny thing. Every Sunday morning, even though church is at 1PM, I feel the stress of getting ready. Breakfast, lunch, showers, getting dressed, preparing lessons/musical numbers/talks/etc., finding shoes, getting diaper bag ready, feeding the baby, and so on. By the time we're in the van heading towards the chapel, I'm usually grumbling about what a pain it is to get ready. And then, of course, I get to church, and I thank Heavenly Father that I went. For example, here's what happened yesterday:

Sacrament Meeting: #3 falls asleep, #1 and #2 are drawing quietly. Okay, well, #2 did after we reminded her that yelling was not whispering. #4 was sleeping, too. Everything's going same ol', same ol' and then the speakers start. The two main speakers were a married couple and they spoke on personal testimony. Amazing. The way the Holy Ghost entered the room and touched our hearts was almost spectacular. She spoke of meeting a flight attendant years ago whose son died of cancer at age 6 and had another son (age 8) that had just been diagnosed with cancer, too. The speaker shared the gospel with this woman and years later found out that this woman, her husband and her two sons were now sealed together for eternity. I was crying --and yet I still had to play the musical number! I played and arrangement of "Because I Have Been Given Much" (yes, mom, I know it's the piece I've played since I was 14, but whatever! It's a good one! It works!). At first I couldn't even see the page because I was crying so much, but luckily I know it really well. I played it probably with more feeling than I ever had before. I know it was because of the Spirit and because of the talk this woman gave. Then the last speaker spoke, and his talk was amazing, too.

Primary: I am the Primary Pianist --and I LOVE it! I've never had this calling before, and I'm so glad I do now. #1 gave a talk about how our family can follow Christ in faith and she did a great job. Then I went to do my second calling: Nursery Music Leader. I had spent a long time yesterday morning getting ready for it (visual aides, finding the music on CD's, etc.) and it paid off. The kids were receptive this week! I was so excited! It was way fun. Then it was back to the primary room for more piano. #4 was good throughout everything, too.

On my way home, I was reminded, once again, how wonderful it felt to go to Church; how uplifting and strengthening it was. It didn't matter how awful it was getting ready or how every week I wonder if it is worth it, because in the end, it always is worth it, you know? It always is...