Sunday Best

Today our ward enjoyed the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. It is truly one of my favorite Sundays of the year. During the Primary Program the children (ages 3 through 12) are responsible for our main worship service. Each child is assigned a part, and the presentation is always touching, charming and often times amusing.

I have to chuckle at the different attitudes that the Marshman boys take concerning the Primary Program. Several weeks ago, when the practices for the program began Adam rushed to find me right after church and told me with audible concern with his voice, "Mom! You won't be able to see me in the program if you don't move your seat on the program day!! I am on the other side of the room from where we always sit!!" I assured him we would move to a point in the chapel where his Dad and I could see all three of our boys.

Adam gasped with rising fear in his voice, "That will be impossible!!" I assured him that we could figure it out...

Evan said shrugging nonchalantly, "You'll never see me...I'm behind the organ." His tone sounded as though he was totally unconcerned.

Then I asked Brian where he would be sitting during the Primary Program and he looked at me blankly and said,

"The what?"

You see...very different attitudes.

The program was as charming as always, and Mike and I were able to sit strategically so that all three of our boys were visible to us. Mike and I are awesome like that. Sweet Adam need not have feared.

We did have to chuckle to ourselves at how differently our boys behave during the actual program.

Evan was calm, cool and collected. He didn't even blush when the much taller young man that spoke before him pushed the microphone waaaaay down so that our, *ahem* much less tall Evan , could use it right at the correct level.

I whispered to Mike that poor Adam looked like he was about to be executed. When his Primary class lined up to take turns at the microphone Mike got him to smile weakly by holding his fists up in the, "fisticuffs" position as if to say, "Go get 'em champ". Adam's stage fright was clearly visible and his cheeks and ears were red (which I found totally endearing) as he spoke. I was so happy for him that he made it through and did such a great job. He seemed to calm immediately after his turn at the microphone was over.

Brian seemed totally unconcerned that he was sitting up on the stage, and did not let the potential for hundreds of eyes to be looking at him at any given moment deter him from wriggling in his seat. At one point his shoes were visible due to some very vigorous upward leg swinging but...don't worry...I was able to lovingly glare him into taking a more reverent seated position. He did a fine job during his time at the microphone and I found his heavy nose breathing between every few words endearing as well.

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I know that I used humor when I described the events of Sacrament Meeting today... but the tears of gratitude that came as I listened to all of those sweet children of God take part in the program, makes me so grateful for my membership in His church and that all of our children are

learning the truths of gospel so young.

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October 2008 Evan (11 years and 3 months old) Adam (8 years and 3 months old) and Brian (5 years and 5 months old)