The View from the Front of the Chapel. . .

The view from the front of the chapel is very different from the view in the back/middleish area where I usually choose to sit. First of all, I'm facing the congregation. Yes, that means everyone gets to look at my lovely face all through Sacrament meeting, which means I darn well better avoid falling asleep! And I need to make sure I'm paying attention, which I most definitely was.

I also found it so easy to see exactly who the people whose names were called for callings, releases and new memberships in the ward. Instead of craning my neck around hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever the person is, I could just look right at them. What a novel idea!

Why was I sitting in the front of the chapel? Well, I had the privilege today of speaking in Sacrament meeting. Public speaking doesn't really bother me, but I still found myself feeling quite nervous, especially after the bishop announced my name as the first speaker. At least this time I wasn't last and had only 5 minutes to give either a 13 or 8 minute talk. . . (that's what happened the last two times I spoke-I was last or nearly so and ended up with very little time but I dealt as best I could) Today I had the privilege of being first and I did give my whole talk, based upon Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's final conference address "Come What May and Love It." I'm pretty sure it went well, based on compliments I received from people. I just wish I was better at channeling funny. I can do cute just fine but not so much funny.

While I enjoyed having a different perspective today, don't get the mistaken idea that this means I always want to be sitting on the stand because that just isn't so. And I'm relieved that I have now spoken in Sacrament meeting in the new ward because that means unless I get a major calling, which I don't foresee happening, I am free and clear! No, I promise I did NOT just jinx myself by saying that. But as Elder Wirthlin said, "Come what may and love it. . ." :)