Another Learning Experience

I spoke yesterday in Sacrament Meeting, and it was an interesting experience (as many things in our branch are).  When Brother Novak (counselor in the branch presidency) asked me to speak last Sunday, I asked him the topic and length, and he said, “20 minutes on whatever you feel inspired to talk about.” Don’t know about you, but I hate not being given a topic--I spend half my prep time deciding!  I think we had both forgotten that it was Father’s Day.  Anyway, yesterday at church, I asked him, “Do you want me to sit on the stand” (D. and I had noticed that the speakers usually don’t.)  He said, “Do you want to sit on the stand?” I ended up sitting in the front row with Diane, who was there to lead the primary in a rousing rendition of ‘I’m So Glad When Daddy Comes Home’ in both Spanish and English.  He had told me I was the first speaker (no printed program for some reason), so right after the Sacrament and Primary song I got up to speak, and he whispered to me, “Take all the time you need.  You are the only speaker!”  So, I announced to the congregation that they would have the opportunity to hear my full talk (with the optional stories, too) since I was the only speaker.  (To their credit, most of the groans were silent…) 

After 20 minutes (of a normally 16 minute talk) and still 15 minutes short of the meeting finish time, I was surprised to have a note passed to me saying, “Wrap it up. Time is up. Thanks for speaking!”  I felt bad, thinking the other speaker must have shown up, and I closed up with my testimony.  I was at the end anyway, so I don’t think it too obvious.  Then Sacrament Meeting ended ten minutes early!  (After starting ten minutes late…)  I usually don’t take things too personally, but I admit I wondered if my talk was really that boring or bad…!  Later, I spoke to President DeRosa (stake president, who was on the stand) and he apologized.  Brother Novak is a fairly new convert in his first calling that requires him to conduct meetings, and both the other members of the branch presidency were out of town, and due to his nervousness (with the stake pres. there, etc.) thought the meeting should end at 2:30 instead of 2:40PM.  We then laughed a little bit, remembering that all those words that seem to come automatically from the person conducting (i.e., ”Those who will sustain Brother or Sister… please signify with the uplifted hand.”) don’t come automatically at all!!  It’s all a process of learning, and everyone who has the opportunity has to go through it!  It’s fun to watch people learn and grow, and Diane and I love the fact that this mission experience keeps us learning and growing a lot!!  We Love the Lord and the opportunity to serve in NYC!!!!