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Sunday, March 15, 2009

I am sluffing Relief Society and drowning my sorrows in cheesecake my sister Vicki made me. She makes the best cheesecake ever. It's actually not even called cheesecake. It's cream cheese pie. That just makes it sound even better, right? She makes it for me when I get way busy or stressed at work. So I got home from my show last night and it was sitting on my table. And I'm not sharing.
I am sluffing Relief Society because I'm being non-religious today and pretending I haven't just been called to be the Ward Choir Director. I have now been this three times in my life, with Ward Chorister 5. I now will do both jobs at the same time. I have bitterness. Not because they asked me to serve. I can serve. I serve. It's just that it's the same thing over and over. Lead the music. I love music. My mom taught me to lead when I was 8. It's a gift I am grateful for. But seriously, it's the same thing over and over again. I looked right at the first counselor and told him this was a calling of convenience, not inspiration. And he said, You're right. (insert cheesecake here) I changed the time of choir practice and the location and you'd have thought I shot someone's cat. The ward organist, who I deal with weekly, is also the choir accompanist. He is very special. And I don't mean 'special, we want to be around him all the time.' I mean, special, in the way you are thinking. I had to talk him through the change. I thought he was going to have a nervous breakdown. I was standing in the hallway by the primary room scheduling the chapel for practice. The clerk wished my good luck, I said, "We'll see" right at the first counselor rounded the corner. He said, "Sister Thorne is excited. She just chooses to show it on the inside." I had to run out of the building before I unloaded on this poor man because my first reaction would have produced little pieces of him and me all over the wall. I have issues about this. I know I do. It will probably end up being the best thing that's ever happened to me. But right now, I'm just irritated about the whole thing. I guess it's because a monkey could do my callings. And I love doing music, but not when I feel thrown into it because no one else can be found. I'll keep you posted. Today should be interesting.

14 comments:

Anaelay said...

I'm glad you have cheesecake...that part was inspired!!

The Barlow Brigade said...

I love this post dearly!!! Tracy and I have the exact same problem. Try having that calling together....not so pretty. Not all calling are inspired........especially when it comes to music. Love you

Jim and Sue said...

Don't get me wrong--I'm extremely grateful for my musical talents but I will probably die on the organ bench, you know. There is hope, however-- Jim has finally been released as choir director after seven or eight years of it.

Erin said...

I can sort of commiserate. I was asked to be the music specialist in Relief Society just after I got married. Once was enough.

Cheesecake does make EVERYTHING better. Eat a piece for me!

Unknown said...

You should come to my new ward with me - the commute is totally do-able for you! The ward is great! You could join me in Sunbeams (we have a gagillion, so we team teach AND have split the class). Seriously, come join me - there is something awesome about being on the other side of Main Street - it's happy over here. Miss ya! Love ya! PS - I have chocolate eclair cake - it chases cheesecake rather well I would think. Come get some!

kalie said...

We love the church. We love the church. Say it with me: we love the church! :) I totally understand the dilemma.

Natasha said...

Been there...still am. I have had 2 'real' callings in my short life. Choir Accompanist...and now Choir Director. What's great is when the Bishopric informs me that I cannot get married or move until I'm 31 and no longer a 'young single adult.' In other words...I'm not getting released any time soon. :)

Yea for cream cheese pie! Eat a piece for me! :)

Clyda and John said...

Here is a solution. move outside of Utah and then they will put you to work. You will be doing so much service you will eat, breath and crap service.

Okay so maybe it isn't that bad, but if you are willing to work... ahem.. I mean serve, you get a ton of time. To the point where you say, Uncle, uncle!!! But I do feel for you. It is frusterating feeling like you are just being used for convenience instead of for a divinely inspired purpose. hang in there. And eat plenty of cheese cake for me.

Love Emma Watson said...

Hey ANN!!!!!!!!! Im so sorry about your calling... but im actually enjoying my moms cream cheese pie right now! YUMMY!!!!! Your show was great! love you! emma

Amylee said...

This is probably my favorite post ever. EVER. Gotta love callings of convenience. Would you rather have Relief Society President? I would be frusterated too. (By the way, how do you spell that stupid word, frusterated, frustrated??? I have no idea).
I'm over the Bears in Cub Scouts. All I have to say is that I hope I love Will when he's 9.

Tyler and Laura said...

It could be the activities people over a married student ward where they want at least one activity a month and for you to show up to ward correlation every Sunday and then they give you a "calling" to be a part of the ward choir. Not trying to one up you because I understand your frustration. I Love the church. I Love being religious. Sometimes I just want to sleep in on Sunday morning you know?

TheCoolestGalAround said...

I'm with you on this. I've been thrown into the primary everywhere I go and have been in since I was 18. I'm so sick of it but no one seems to really care that I want to just go to church and enjoy it cause I certainly don't now. Just once I would like to not be in primary and be able to go to Sunday school and relief society. GRRR!!!

Amelia said...

When we fill out our sheet of previous callings in a new ward, it's to tell them, "Please don't make me do this again!!", not that we're itching for more. And perhaps since you teach people to sing all day long, you don't want to do that on your weekends. Hmmm. And did NO ONE listen to Elder Ballard's 2008 conference talk? "May I suggest that the bishopric and the ward council members be especially watchful and considerate of the time and resource demands on young mothers and their families." I know the mothers heard it!! I'm just not sure if any of the men in charge did! But hang in there. In a few months (or maybe a few more than that!) you'll have an amazing story to tell us about someone you worked with and changed each others lives. Keep us posted. :) love you!

Torrey Jayne said...

You definitely deserve cheesecake... a-hem... "Cream Cheese Pie" after that. I do envy your talent, but not the abuse of your talent. You'll do amazing, let me know if I can provide more cheesecake.