My Network

I love to teach. I have no fear of public speaking but my bridal shower was painful. I hate being the center of attention. When I teach my earnest desire is to convey a message and in that venue the " message" is the center of attention. Last month, when I was asked to teach a workshop at youth conference I answered yes too quickly. I should have asked what my topic was first. When the stake YM president sent my subject with a long detailed outline of their intent, I honestly groaned out loud when I saw FAMILY HISTORY. I envisioned a university classroom filled with these kids unfortunate enough to be listening to my stumbling counsel. I don't do family history! That's my mother's job! I began trying to think of an inspiring outline. I thought of how much we are told that we "need" our ancestors. The children's book IF YOU GIVE A MOOSE A MUFFIN came to my mind. Its' beginning words, " If you give a moose a muffin" come full circle through a series of events and land the reader onto the last page where the moose wants another muffin. My idea here?...children's hearts turning to fathers snd then father's hearts turning to children. Muffin equals hearts. I ran with this for a while and in my head had some grand ideas of a stop action movie but beyond that it just wouldn't take off. Ugh. Other ideas came and went quickly. In a weak and uninspired moment I decided to actually delve into my family history. I talked with mom and dad about the stories of my family and looked through pictures. I surprisingly felt something...like heartfelt. I was exactly like the Grinch, who in a pondering moment and completely caught off guard, my heart grew three sizes sizes larger in one day! And with my new heart I began again. I saw standing behind me, but really beside me, the people who are my family. I found their stories of talent, courage, determination and faith could be a part of my story too. They could essentially be not only linked in my DNA but most assuredly in my very character. I need them in my life. Now I have a whole group of willing participants who will stand with me to tell the stories of my family. I know exactly who will represent each member of my family, including my parents who brought the gospel, not just to their descendants but also to their ancestors. I know in the final part of my presentation we will all stand together and sing FAMILiES CAN BE TOGETHER FOREVER...cause we can and I want that gift more than anything else. I genuinely want it with the generations that have come before me for the first time in my life. Because now my heart has turned.