Primary initiation

     For the last 2 years, I have been working as a teacher in Relief Society. This calling has given me far more than I ever expected. I can't believe how much I learned. I loved, loved, loved this calling. Upon my release, I was asked to teach the (one of  three!) Sunbeam class...the (mostly) adorable 3 and  4 year olds. This will definitely be a change of pace from my previous assignment. While I may go home each week with what I call "the primary headache," I am never bored and I love it.These kids are sweet, sassy, and always liberally offer up secret family information ("my mom has a baby in her tummy," or "I broke my toy on purpose and hid it under my bed," and often, "my mom yells at me") While it always keeps my on my toes, I really do love teaching them and seeing their eyes light up as little seeds of testimony are planted.
     Today was a perfect example. This was only my second week teaching. Our lesson today was about "Friends." I begin by asking the children who I am...hoping that I could get them to see me as their friend. When I throw out the bait, they all cry out, "You're not our friend, you're a mom!" Hmmm....okay, that pretty much backfired. I continue with the lesson. Several times throughout the lesson, one  little girl keeps asking to tell a story about her dad. I gently remind her she will have her turn at the end of class. Knowing how badly she wanted to tell this story, I officially turn the attention to her at the end of the lesson. She starts, "I went upstairs.....and....saw my dad....NAKED!!!" Wha, wha, what???  It was out there and said before I could even react. There was no clue or indication of what direction she was heading in. Wow. What do you say to that? I awkwardly said something like, "Well, yes, we all take showers....we all have to get dressed...." It didn't matter. They were all lost in their giggling. At least class was over and some of pressure would be off me in sharing time, right?
     With our annual primary program fast approaching, the children are practicing their standing in unison and standing while singing. One girl in particular had a difficult time standing when she should be sitting and sitting when she should be standing. After about the third time trying to direct her, I reach down and to help her stand, except....at the exact moment that I bend over, she decides to jump up. (!!!!!!)  Did someone just ring a bell? That is what it felt like when her head was thrust into my lip. My eyes were watering, my lip was bleeding. I feel all the adults looking at me (trying to figure out what just happened) as I excuse myself from the room. My lip bleeding and throbbing, I needed a moment to gather myself. I'm pretty sure I have a good idea of what your lips feel like after a collagen injection. Mine felt nice and full. While my top lip was definitely swollen, I think it felt worse than it looked. I expected primary to be a change of pace. I just didn't think I would need protective gear!