Monday, June 21, 2010

I Did It

I actually taught relief society yesterday.
It was hard for me.
I had to leave Sunday school multiple times because I was so nervous I had to go to the bathroom over and over again. Then, when Sunday school was over, I started crying. I went to the bathroom to gain my composure but it didn't work very well. I sat down in Relief Society and my friend Melissa said something like "you ready?" and I burst into tears. I went back into the restroom and threw up. Then I was crying in the hall, well, not just crying, sobbing. My friend Wendy came out and asked if I was OK. I shook my head no and she said "Is there anything I can do for you?" and I said "Yeah, you could teach Relief Society." She is so sweet. She paused, then said "I haven't even read the lesson!" What a good friend to even consider doing that for me. She obviously could see that I was panicking.
So, I got a drink to help me stop crying, and went back into Relief Society. When it was time to give the lesson, I was still crying. I stood up and told everyone I was crying because I am terrified to teach and that I hope I would stop crying. I couldn't read the lesson because of all the tears. It was so embarrassing. It took me a few minutes to stop, but eventually I did stop crying and got on with the lesson. The Atonement isn't the easiest lesson to give, but all in all I think I did an okay job...minus the anxiety and crying that is. I forgot to fill half of my chart on the board, I answered questions the class was supposed to answer and I dropped the book because I was shaking so bad. I wrote out everything I wanted to say, but when someone did make a comment it threw me off and I didn't know exactly how to proceed. Also, Randy and I couldn't get the video I had planned on showing at the end of the lesson to work.
BUT, my stories I brought were perfect for the lesson, my object lesson worked out really well, and I ended on time. I did it. I don't want to do it ever again...but I did it.

10 comments:

Evelyn Jakins said...

Good job heather - I'm really proud of you! I wish i could have been in there for suport and to hear it, i bet it was just what the RS needed to hear.

-evelyn

Heather said...

Thanks Evelyn

Michelle said...

I can't believe you actually did it! Good job!! I hope those ladies appreciate what you went through to give them that lesson. I'm sure it will not be so bad before you do it next time.

dave, catie, and baby b. said...

good for you!
you know after i commented about
how 'yeah it's scary but every time
i speak or sing or teach i feel good after' yada yada...well guess who got a call to give a talk this sunday? yep. kill me.

Jane said...

The more you do it the easier it will become. Good job. You may find that you have a talent for teaching that you didn't even know you had.

Grandpa and Grandma B said...

Yes it will get easier even if it doesn't seem so. Eileen loves teaching and I still don't like to teach but it has gotten easier with practice.

Unknown said...

It will get easier, I hate speaking at church, but teaching RS is okay. Of course that is coming from a nursery teacher. I have it tough.

Nessa said...

I've been a R.S. teacher for three years...I still get nervous every month!

Lindsey said...

I bet you were great! I like what Jane said too. You may have a talent you didn't even know you had. Andy's the same way. He gets soo nervous to speak or teach and after, he has people always tell him how his words were exactly what they needed, etc. Hang in there.

Sara said...

Hooray! Congrats! That is fantastic! I bet everyone was cheering for you.