Dancing in September

We didn't do an inordinate amount of dancing this past week. However, in two days I won't be able to reference the title to the Earth Wind & Fire song. With regard to dancing, the kids, including Capriel, like to turn on Landen's guitar practice CD and dance to some of the tunes.

Today was my favorite Sunday of the year: the primary program at Sacrament Meeting. There are so many reasons I love the primary program. Part of it has to do with the wide range of emotions I typically feel in less than an hour's time. This year was no different:

1. I felt a little nervousness for my children, who spent the last two weeks memorizing their speaking parts. I found myself praying that they would remember those parts as they stepped up to the microphone and stared at a congregation of 500 or so. I prayed especially hard for Talia, our 5 year old, who opened the program by playing "I am a Child of God" on her 1/16 size violin. I wanted her to feel good about herself after practicing so hard.

2. I felt great joy as she nailed the song. Just nailed it. I also swelled with parental pride (that's ok, right?) as each of the kids recited their parts. Brecklyn spoke on how her testimony of Joseph Smith has grown the past year. Landen spoke on his testimony of the scriptures. Talia spoke of her testimony of singing hymns. Each of them worked hard in preparing for their parts. They all did well, despite some visible anxiety in some instances.

3. I had to stifle fits of mirth as I watched several kids react to their own nervousness. Some couldn't stop laughing. Others looked straight down at the podium and waited for their cues. Some spoke at hyper speed. Others grabbed the pulpit like a veteran, starred straight at their mothers, and delivered a talk with the expression and delivery of a general authority at conference time, only their subject was how they like the primary songs, or how they pray that they won't have bad dreams. The primary presidency even had the guts to give the eight year old boys class (known throughout the land for its rowdiness) a singing part, with their own microphone. True to form, and to their collective delight, they absolutely bombed. They sang the wrong verse, came in at the wrong time, repeatedly bumped the microphone, took turns singing solos during their verse, and ended too late. One of many youtube moments.

4. I felt great humility and feelings of tenderness as I watched each of my children, and every other primary child, stand on a stool, state their name, and proclaim, "I am a child of God." That phrase brought feelings of humility, as I was reminded that my children are also God's children, that they have incredible potential, and that I am to help them reach that potential. I was also reminded that I, myself, am also a child of God. I felt like running up to the podium and proclaiming it myself: "My name is Craig Winder, and I am a child of God." Such profound power and hope and guidance are packed in to that short but never trite phrase: I am a child of God.

In short, you can't top the primary program.

Other highlights/observations of the week:

1. Brecklyn is coming on strong with her piano practicing. I think she is starting to recognize the artistic element of it, and give expression to a song. She is also improving as a soccer player.

2. Landen's soccer highlight of the week was when he was playing goalkeeper. Most of the action was on the other end of the field, so his coach encouraged him to come out of the goal box just a little. This was all the encouragement Landen needed. He not only came out of the goal box, but proceeded to steal the ball from an opponent at about midfield, dribble it down the left side, do a nifty crossover move, score a goal, and trot back to the goalkeeper's box as if this were another day at the office. For our part, we went from shouting "Landen, wait! What are you doing? Youre the goalie!" to "Good move," to "Shoot it! Shoot it now!!" to "Brilliant! Did you see that?! Yes!!!" in the span of about eight seconds.