Monday, January 25, 2010

I have a pet-peeve...a BIG one! It has bugged me for many years and I am just going to vent!

My husband and I show up at church yesterday to enjoy sacrament and the speakers. The first counselor gets up to announce the meeting and proceeds to say, "There have been a few changes to the program. The couple that was supposed to speak has been hit with some illness in their home. So we have 2 youth speakers we will hear from and then the bishopric will share some thoughts. Then we would like to hear testimonies and thoughts on Family Home Evening from the following people, Jadee Hallman..." blah blah blah! Are you KIDDING me? I hate when the bishopric throws inpromtu testimonies in a meeting to fill up the time and pull people from the congregation. Those surprises are the worst and when I find out they are going to do that (the single's ward bishopric's are pros at this), I squirm in my seat and will myself to be invisible. I wasn't so lucky yesterday.

For those of you who know me, know I hate public speaking. I hate microphones and I hate people staring at me. Gary and I spoke earlier last year and as much as I hated it, I got to think about what I wanted to say and when my mind went blank in front of all those people (who yes, I'm sure don't listen and don't remember a word you say), I had my talk written out in front of me and I could read it. Of course I have a testimony and especially one of FHE but don't expect me to be able to say what's really in my heart when you have ripped me out of my comfortness. And by the way, some people don't stand up and bear their testimonies on purpose. They are personal and to me, I want to stand up when the Spirit is urging me to, not cuz my name is called. Plus, what if someone doesn't have a testimony and their name gets called? Awkward...!

Sorry but thanks for letting me vent. Some will read this and say, "Get over it. It's not that big of a deal" but to me it is. My dad is in his ward's bishopric and I hope this lets him know how some of us feel. Or maybe not....he really likes the microphone and can't see why others don't too. Ha ha.

6 comments:

Jessica said...

i am so with you ALL THE WAY. if that ever happened to me i dont' know what i would do. i seriously had a bad dream about it once. that has got to be one of the worst feelings there is. just sitting and waiting and being too nervous to collect some quick thoughts. and of course in those moments nothing EVER comes to my head which would only lead one to freak out all the more! i'm sorry that happened, you have EVERY right to vent. egh! p.s.i'm sure more then enough people would get up, willingly, to bear their testimonies huh?

Gary said...

This was such a good growing experience for my hunny. :)

Meghan said...

agreed. super uncomfortable. good job for not throwing a fit and leaving.

Kris said...

could have been worse!!!! a couple of weeks ago, the bishopric had totally spaced calling people to speak and so after the business part, literally looked at three people and said come up and speak about......we forgot to assign speakers, sorry and sat down! Fortunately they picked people who are windbags......
they were inspired to pick you for some reason! Someone needed to hear you!

The Barbers said...

Wow I can honestly say I have never seen that happen... that is ridiculous! Obviously someone needed to hear from you :) How scary though!

Suz said...

Amen sister!!!