Primary Program

Today was our wards (congregation) program with the children age 3-11. This was a pretty monumental year for Annie Kate. She did her speaking part and sang in a duet with Elizabeth H. (whom she calls her cousin because we distantly related) The last two years in TN for some reason got very nervous for the program and last year would not even take a speaking part. So you can imagine how proud I was to see her so willing to do something.
The theme of this year's program "I will trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Their promises are sure".
One of the most amazing song that the kids learned was "Holding Hands around the World" You can listen to it here. I am sure anyone would say it was the highlight of any program. When they started the program all the kids stood up from where they were sitting and stood in the isles and the music started and they formed a large circle in the chapel and started singing the first verse and chorus. They then started walking to the front and sat in the choir seats. It was an amazing way to begin.
A few things that I thought were great ideas were having three microphones from the pulpit. One on either side of the middle microphone. So they always had a child ready to give their part. They had the primary presidency sing the first verse of "Dearest Children, God is near you" and then the rest of the teachers stood up and sang with them. It was really powerful.
Each class sang a verse of "Follow the Prophet"and then her and Elizabeth sang the last verse together. I was crying like a baby! I was so proud of her.
They concluded the meeting with singing the rest of "Holding Hands around the World" and had the congregation stand and sing the last verse.
It was really amazing. I did get kind of sad thinking of my primary class that I left in TN and wished I could have been with them for the program and would loved to have seen what Cara W and the rest of that amazing primary did there.
... also in one of my wards the R.S. president (Heather R.) had surprised all the primary leaders and came in and gave them all a special thank you to let them know how much everyone appreciated all the hard work they did. I had passed that on in our ward and they made them the cutest Hand shaped gingerbread cookies made into a turkey, with a gratitude note. Such a great way to thank the primary. What is great about this is that Heather R. served her mission in this ward years ago and I am sure she would be thrilled to know her idea was used in this ward... looks like I need to send her some good mail.