I am the primary pianist for our ward here in Logan and I must say it is quite an idyllic calling. There is no prep, no meetings, no quarterly reports, etc but I am most definitely missed when I am not there. I get to hear a lesson, feel the spirit in addition to adequate "wiggle" time. I love it. One of the kids' favorite singing time games is "the bug game." I always knew it as Hot and Cold." Two children are selected - one is to go out in to the hall and wait while the other hides the plastic insect in an obscure place. Then the child returns from the hall and tries to find the bug while the primary sings the selected song over and over getting louder and softer according to the child's proximity to the bug. Some children really understand the game and find it really quickly. Most of the children, however, just run to the popular hiding places despite the volume in the room. A few children just stand in one central spot trying to see the bug while disabling the aid of the "choir." This game is a lot like life decisions and the Holy Ghost. I have been thinking a lot about this during this phase in our life - trying to decide which medical school to choose, how to pay for it, what job to take, etc. My anxiety level was getting very high around Thanksgiving to the point where I had a constant "IV drip" of adrenaline in my system. As I shared my feeling with my in-laws during the break, my father-in-law matter-a-fact-ly stated, "you just aren't having enough faith." I wasn't defensive and thought about it a minute and concluded, "No, that's not it. I have perfect faith that Heavenly Father will guide us. I trust perfectly in whatever he wants for us, even if it isn't medical school at all." So why was I so stressed out? As I played the piano during the "Hot and Cold" game in primary the next Sunday, I realized I lacked the faith that I would recognize His guiding! I then thought of the scripture in D&C 6:14 ". . .for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time." In other words, I have recognized his promptings every other time, or else how would I have ended up with such an awesome husband, major, home, financial independence, etc. I took faith that Patrick and I do make awesome decisions together! Life choices are just like the game of "hot and cold." You just have to start moving while listening intently to the spirit and staying or moving toward the place it is the loudest.
I shared this experience in Fast and Testimony meeting and the children must have listened because all of a sudden the game got much better. The bug is now put in REALLY hard, non-visible places and it is still usually found before the first verse is up. (The junior primary is a little slower, but still a big improvement.) That is just an example that children need to be properly instructed in what to listen for and once they get it, they got it! Children can learn early to follow the spirit.
