Change

So, change is a very difficult for me. (Just ask my husband about my reaction to him buying a new phone. And don’t even think about moving any furniture around.)

Which is why getting a new calling is so very difficult for me. Please understand that I never turn down a calling, but dealing with the change it brings can be daunting for me.
For the past eight months or so I have been the Sunbeam teacher and loved every minute of it – Truly I did. I had the cutest four Sunbeams. They brought me joy and amazed at their grasp of gospel principles at the age of three.

On top of that I was also the Teacher Development Instructor for the past two months. Juggling both callings took some maneuvering. My little Sunbeams sat by themselves during Sharing Time while I taught Teacher Development during Sunday School. I would end Sunday School a few minutes early so I could rush into Primary to gather up my Sunbeams, hectic to say the least.

I was growing very concerned about my Sunbeams and feeling that what was happening with them was not fair or right. Then I grew doubly worried about the beginning of a new year because these new Sunbeams would not be ready to fly solo during Sharing Time. What was I going to do?

On top of these worries cam the possibility of new adventures for me that would make it impossible for me to do either of these two callings let alone both at the same time. (I alluded to these adventures in my last post – and I still am not quite ready to share – soon though.) As the worries were forefront I received a visit from a member of the Bishopric.

A new Primary President was being called and she asked that I be her Secretary. I was so relieved and excited about this new calling. It was an answer to prayers.

The challenge has been juggling all three callings the past couple of weeks as a new Sunbeam Teacher has not been called yet (soon I hope). (I have a substitute for this week.) And, I will not be released from Teacher Development until this course round is completed which will be the end of January. It will all work out.

Back to my Sunbeams. Around Halloween I received the cutest, most thoughtful Thank You from one of my parents. Something I will cherish forever.

In case you couldn’t read it, it says:

“Dear Sister Murphy,
You are a ‘whopper’ of a teacher. You help me reach for the “stars’. You
Help me control my ‘butterfinger(s)’. You bring me ‘Joy’. You are a “SweetTart’. I Love You.”

It melted my heart and reminded me how important teaching these little ones are.
I will miss teaching them every week, but am grateful I will still be in Primary to watch them grow in so many ways.

Christmas and All Its Happenings

December is just about over and I had every intention of writing a bit here and there and even posting some pictures. However, I used Andy's camera for the picture and then for some unknown reason he took the card out of his camera and it ended up in the wash. As a result, no pictures, at least until now.

For Christmas I got my own little camera so I can take charge of my own pictures for posting (yea me!).

Even though it is after Christmas I did want to include something that you may find you want to do for Christmas next year. It's a poem called the "Christmas Nail". (Picture first and then the poem.

It's Christmas time at our house
and we're putting up the tree.
I wish I could find some simple way
to remember Christ's gift to me.
Some little sign or symbol
to show friends stopping by,
the little babe was born one day
but He really came to die.
Some symbol of His nail-pierced hands,
the blood He shed for you and me.
What if I hung a simple nail
on my shining Christmas tree?
A crimson bow tied round the nail
as His blood flowed down so free,
To save each person from their sin
and redeem us for eternity.
I know it was His love for us
that held Him to the tree,
But when I see this simple nail
I know He died for me.

Christmas was a little different for the Murphy's this year. Kimber is married and she and her husband went back East to be with his family. It was very strange not having her here. (It makes me grateful that she lives here close by.) In fact we still haven't exchanged gifts with her because she was gone. I am excited that she will be home in less than a week.

2011 has been a year of blessings for the Murphy's and I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for watching over and protecting my family.

2012 is already shaping up to be a year of new adventures for me. I am not quite ready to share as I am still processing the path my life appears to be taking.

In any event: HAPPY NEW YEAR!