Sunday, November 16, 2008
Confronting My Fears
Well, the dreaded day of reckoning has arrived. For the first time since Jeff and I have been married I've been asked to talk in church, next week, on thankfulness and giving. I'm having a hard time being thankful right now. I haven't talked in church since I was about fifteen. It was one of the most horrible experiences of my life. I've turned down speaking in church ever since. Honestly, if I didn't have a testimony I would quit going to church because you're always being asked to give lessons, talk in church, be the enrichment leader, all stuff which makes me VERY nervous. I'm trying to blame Jeff for making me say yes. When we got engaged our bishop asked us to talk in church and I, of course, turned him down. Jeff was so disappointed in me that I felt extremely guilty and promised to talk the next time we were asked. I could just feel him looking at me when they asked us to see how I would respond. Stupid promises! (By the way, none of you are invited, even those of you who are members of my ward!)
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11 comments:
I understand about fears, although speaking in church is luckily not one of them. I think you'll do great! Just pray hard and prepare well. You'll be surrounded by friends and neighbors that love you. Heavenly Father (and Jeff) will be so proud of you. Can't wait to hear all about it.
Sorry, but I just couldn't help grinning while I was reading this. It is about time! Especially since I have had to talk three times in the last 18 months. I do feel bad for you though. It is not my favorite thing to do either. You will do great, though. Just tell Jeff that you get to go first, and no matter how long you talk, he has to take up the rest of the time. He is pretty long winded, isn't he? :)
I had to talk yesterday! I didn't think I would be as nervous as I was. I prayed a lot. It went just fine. Now I figure I have two more years before the next one.
My advice is to write down everything. Then if you have to resort to reading your talk word for word because you don't want to look at anybody, there is nothing wrong with that. Jake can go off a small outline --whatever.
I also looked out at the congregation before I stood up yesterday and thought about how these are pretty nice people. And if they are like me, they won't remember much of what I say anyway, and as long as I don't go off on some controversial topic or cuss, then the talk isn't going to go down in history as being terrible. :) Good luck with it. You will do a great job and will undoubtedly share something that only you can share and that somebody in that congregation needs to hear from you.
You will be just fine. Just remember that everything is traumatizing when you're 15, so even though you had a bad experience then, that doesn't mean you'll have a bad experience this time. Honestly, you'll do a great job. Just prepare and pray, and then do it! I think you'll be proud with how well you'll do. If Shannan can call complete strangers on the phone, then you can give a talk in church, right? You can do it!
I just can't understand how such and eloquent gal could be worried about speaking in front of people. You have so much to offer. You'll do great and Heavenly Father loves you and will help you! It is pretty funny!
What time is the meeting?
Adrienne you will do awesome. Your enrichment night 'lesson' was GREAT! I would never have known it was hard for you to do if I didn't previously know. I look forward to Sunday, it will help calm me before I have to teach Gospel Doctrine...
I haven't given a talk since I was 18 and I plan on keeping it that way for a very long time. Sorry your luck ran out, good luck!
I'm looking forward to Sunday. I know you'll do a great job, you did womderful at Enrichment night, a seasoned pro!!
You can do it!!!!
You both did a fantastic job. I loved the meeting. I felt that you were so eloquent with your words. We all needed you talks. I was shocked when you stated that you were so nervous, because you were so easy to listen to and spoke with great power....maybe and angel was with you???
I also loved Jeff's quote on "being thankful means to take joy in the blessing." I am making a Gratitude book. It is full of quotes and pictures of some of my blessings. With you permission- I am adding that quote! Thanks for a great Sabbath!!
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