church + life: Our Primary Class

I love my calling, have I ever told you that? I do. Love the giggles, sudden exclamations, meltdowns over someone stealing someone else's chair, eager hands stretched to the ceiling to say the prayer, and the on-going question, "Did you bring candy today?!"

Scott and I teach the 4 going on 5 year olds in the Junior Primary. We have 6 kids that come regularly. Each is so different and they all crack me up.

One boy knows only one volume: loud. Everything he says is done in a shout. But I recently found out he has three older siblings and a younger baby brother. So, I imagine, shouting may be a necessity for him at home if he wants his voice heard. He gets embarrassed easily and will look at me out of the corner of his eye if he thinks I'm watching him. (I like to make my kids sweat and see me as a threat. haha.)

One boy wants to answer every question, be the first to do anything, and volunteer for ev-er-y-thing. He is a tender little heart and has the sweetest little voice. He loves Mario and makes me drawings of him on the Sacrament Meeting Programs. This Sunday he seemed really enthralled with the lesson. I touched on the Atonement and crucifixion of Christ. We talked about how that probably really hurt, especially when Judas betrayed him and people were mean to him. This little boy suddenly told us this long story about how his family had lived in Japan and a group of bullies used to push him down. It was sooo sad as his sweet little voice told how much it had made him sad. His eyes were all big and glistening and it just broke my heart. But then they all started saying, "Those guys were mean. I loooove Jesus. Yeah, me too. I love Jesus." It was such a special lesson and made me so happy as a teacher that they understood and even applied it to their own lives.

Another boy is just stinkin hilarious. He is so little. Wears glasses. Loves Star Wars. (That's been a big topic of conversation among our class: Star Wars and Mario.) So cute. Pretends his hands are space shuttles and flies them around in front of him making noises. Above all, he is SO SMART. Seriously, this kid gives deep, text-book answers. Sometimes I don't even know what he's talking about. I actually think he may be smarter and more knowledgeable about the scriptures than I am. (It all made sense when I found out his dad is a chemical engineer and his mom was a physics professor. yikes!) But I count it as a blessing to learn from this humble, sweet little spirit. Examples:

I told the class we were going to read a scripture from Matthew. This little boy, pushing up his glasses says, "He was a tax collector." Now these kids say a lot of random things, so I kind of just dismissed it. But then I started to think, "Was he?" haha. I looked it up and sure enough...he was! This kid blows me away.

Another time I showed a picture of a Christus in a Visitor's Center. We had talked about symbols and so I asked them why they thought a scene of the universe, planets, stars, etc had been painted behind the statue. This same little boy answered, "It is supposed to remind us of all of Heavenly Father's creations." I was shocked. I just stared at that face and was blown away. Who is this kid???

After class was over we waited for his parents. He was the last one left and so I asked him, "How are you so smart? I bet your parents tell you you're so smart all the time." He said, "Eh." hahahaha. So I asked, "Well then how do you know all the answers?" He replied matter-of-factly, "My brain just tells me. I am soooo smart." I laughed so hard. And couldn't stop beaming after he left that I am so privileged to have this little Primary class to learn from.

Their testimonies are so pure and so strong. They are truly mighty little spirits. I look forward to every Sunday to see my little class and learn from their simple and heartfelt explanations. They make my week! Honestly, how could this face not make you smile!!?