I don't write these experiences to brag. I write them to remember. When I'm sitting in some tiny branch in the middle of rural PA, and I feel like nobody likes me, I'm going to remember these wonderful times with the Young Women of the Chelsea Ward.
This week was "Capture the Flag" at Timbertown Park. I've never played CTF, and I figured that I would just sit on a park bench, watching the girls and taking a picture or two. However, I should probably know by now that that just isn't going to happen to me.
John had the keys to Greenie, so I took the convertible. When I drove up, parked and got out, the girls came running over to me shouting, "It's SISTER KENNEDY!" The barrage of questions then began about the car. When did I get it? Is it mine? Why haven't they ever seen me drive it? Yeah, they were talking about that for a good five minutes.
Then, even though I wasn't in charge of the activity, all the questions get thrown at me. "Sister Kennedy, can we start?" I told them that I wasn't in charge and didn't know, but then Sister Spencer told me that the Mia Maids are in charge of conducting all activities this month--my bad--and would I start the activity? Sage, our MM president, wasn't there, so Isabel stepped up. I couldn't help but throw out the question, "How was the stake dance, Isabel?" considering I tease her non-stop about her funny adventures at dances. The other girls then asked her questions as well. I figure at some point, they'll go with her because of how she sells it. Anyway, we needed a prayer, and she said (teasing me in return), "Sister Kennedy will now say our prayer." It got strangely quiet, so I stood tall, marched up to the front, and announced to everyone, "THANK YOU, ISABEL. I LOVE TO SAY PRAYERS!" ;-)
After that, I figured I was off the hook, but they all circled around me, asking me what rules we were going to follow (like I had any idea). So I walked out to the field with them when they asked, "How will we know the center of the field?" I guess this is an important question since the flag needs to make it halfway across the field. So I stood in the middle. And I counted down for the game to begin. And I stood there. And within five minutes, a group of girls was sitting around me in the middle of the field, talking to me.
I ask you this--WHERE WERE THE OTHER LEADERS???
We then decided to move the game to the playground (one of those large wooden structures) because it would involve less running. At this point, our YW secretary and second counselor joined in, but our president was over talking to a parent. So I just kept leading, but still with some girls just hanging around me. I would like to say we were talking, but they seriously love to tease me, and they are really, REALLY good at it!
Finally, we finished up and I asked to take a picture of them--I said for the newsletter, but it's more just for my memories.
Then, today.
Still feeling sick with a cold, I wasn't even sure I was going to stay for the second hour of church, but if I'm there to play organ, how can I not go to YW?
Eden Gibson was slated to teach today. She announces before class has even begun that she was worried she wouldn't have enough material to fill the time, "but I knew if Sister Kennedy was there, I'd be fine." Oh my GOSH! I zipped my lips immediately, and just looked at them all, laughing and smiling at me. Yeah, that lasted all of about 2.2 seconds until Isabel asked how our week was and all eyes turned to me. Seriously, if I share a story, everyone else opens up too. So much wonderful sharing and talking that it's hard then to start the lesson.
So Eden begins her lesson, and she asks a simple question. Nobody answers (it was the beginning of the lesson), and she turns to me, and says, "Well, I know Sister Kennedy has an answer." Well, I told her that yes, I did, but I was keeping my mouth shut, to which Isabel said, "Sister Kennedy, you share, and then I'll share an answer." Perfect. That was all that was needed. We had the most wonderful, sharing lesson about keeping the Sabbath day holy with all of us brainstorming ideas on how we can keep that commandment better. And you know what, we finished with one minute to spare! ;-)
Man, I'm going to miss this validation. I'm going to miss these friends.
This week was "Capture the Flag" at Timbertown Park. I've never played CTF, and I figured that I would just sit on a park bench, watching the girls and taking a picture or two. However, I should probably know by now that that just isn't going to happen to me.
John had the keys to Greenie, so I took the convertible. When I drove up, parked and got out, the girls came running over to me shouting, "It's SISTER KENNEDY!" The barrage of questions then began about the car. When did I get it? Is it mine? Why haven't they ever seen me drive it? Yeah, they were talking about that for a good five minutes.
Then, even though I wasn't in charge of the activity, all the questions get thrown at me. "Sister Kennedy, can we start?" I told them that I wasn't in charge and didn't know, but then Sister Spencer told me that the Mia Maids are in charge of conducting all activities this month--my bad--and would I start the activity? Sage, our MM president, wasn't there, so Isabel stepped up. I couldn't help but throw out the question, "How was the stake dance, Isabel?" considering I tease her non-stop about her funny adventures at dances. The other girls then asked her questions as well. I figure at some point, they'll go with her because of how she sells it. Anyway, we needed a prayer, and she said (teasing me in return), "Sister Kennedy will now say our prayer." It got strangely quiet, so I stood tall, marched up to the front, and announced to everyone, "THANK YOU, ISABEL. I LOVE TO SAY PRAYERS!" ;-)
After that, I figured I was off the hook, but they all circled around me, asking me what rules we were going to follow (like I had any idea). So I walked out to the field with them when they asked, "How will we know the center of the field?" I guess this is an important question since the flag needs to make it halfway across the field. So I stood in the middle. And I counted down for the game to begin. And I stood there. And within five minutes, a group of girls was sitting around me in the middle of the field, talking to me.
I ask you this--WHERE WERE THE OTHER LEADERS???
We then decided to move the game to the playground (one of those large wooden structures) because it would involve less running. At this point, our YW secretary and second counselor joined in, but our president was over talking to a parent. So I just kept leading, but still with some girls just hanging around me. I would like to say we were talking, but they seriously love to tease me, and they are really, REALLY good at it!
Finally, we finished up and I asked to take a picture of them--I said for the newsletter, but it's more just for my memories.
Then, today.
Still feeling sick with a cold, I wasn't even sure I was going to stay for the second hour of church, but if I'm there to play organ, how can I not go to YW?
Eden Gibson was slated to teach today. She announces before class has even begun that she was worried she wouldn't have enough material to fill the time, "but I knew if Sister Kennedy was there, I'd be fine." Oh my GOSH! I zipped my lips immediately, and just looked at them all, laughing and smiling at me. Yeah, that lasted all of about 2.2 seconds until Isabel asked how our week was and all eyes turned to me. Seriously, if I share a story, everyone else opens up too. So much wonderful sharing and talking that it's hard then to start the lesson.
So Eden begins her lesson, and she asks a simple question. Nobody answers (it was the beginning of the lesson), and she turns to me, and says, "Well, I know Sister Kennedy has an answer." Well, I told her that yes, I did, but I was keeping my mouth shut, to which Isabel said, "Sister Kennedy, you share, and then I'll share an answer." Perfect. That was all that was needed. We had the most wonderful, sharing lesson about keeping the Sabbath day holy with all of us brainstorming ideas on how we can keep that commandment better. And you know what, we finished with one minute to spare! ;-)
Man, I'm going to miss this validation. I'm going to miss these friends.
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