Re-Learning Lessons

Six years ago I broke my leg.  That event in my life taught me a great lesson. Mostly it taught me that it’s ok to ask people for help, because in life you really can’t do everything on your own.  You think the dramatic, and painful way I had to learn the lesson the first time it would have stuck.  But alas, I am stubborn and it did not. 

Last week I had to re-learn this lesson.  Our Bishop asked me to be in charge of the church Christmas party this year.  I reluctantly said yes.  Considering I have a busy calling with the Youth Program I was a bit surprised, but how can you say no when a Bishop, who does so much, asks you to do just one more thing.  Well as it turned out, doing this, “one more thing,” turned me into the biggest Grinch of all time.  I was letting it ruin my Christmas spirit.  I had only 3 weeks to plan a party for 100 people.  I’ll remind you I am one of the worst kinds of introverts you’ll ever meet.  Really, I am terrible at getting to know people and extending invitations.  Adam and I basically have no friends because we’re both this way.  We’d rather sit at home alone all the time.  We’ve been married 5 years and I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve invited people over (that aren’t the missionaries) for dinner.  Seriously, I think it’s like 4.  Pretty sad.  .  But that’s not the point.  Back to the party…. So here I was trying to figure out how to pull this whole thing off.  I felt like I couldn’t possibly ask anyone else for help, because, well, you know, it’s the holidays and people are busy, and I didn’t want to stress them out.  So I was up to my eye balls in stuff to do, because I procrastinated, basically because I just didn’t want to deal with it, and with Adam in Seattle all week, every week, I felt so alone in the whole thing.  I am pretty sure I had my first panic attack. Of all placea it would happen in the middle of Walmart.  With my cart full of stuff my mind kept racing and I kept thinking of more things I needed that I hadn’t thought about and the party was just 3 days away.  I just felt like there was no way it would all come together.  So, here I am 30 years old and calling my Mom for help and support.  I don’t think I’ll ever grow up.  I managed to pull myself together enough to check out at Walmart and make it to my parents house. 

My Mom kept telling me I had to call people and ask the to do things.  But I just couldn’t.  How could I?  I mean calling someone at nearly 9pm on a Wednesday night during the holidays to ask them to do something for a party on Saturday morning, how rude and insensitive would that be?   My mom did enough convincing that I managed to pull off texting a few people.  I just really, really hate asking people to do things.  But you know what, the next day through emails and texts I was able to pull enough people together that I felt like I had the support I needed to make this party semi-successful. 

Saturday morning came, and little elves had come in the day before, while I was at my work Christmas party, and they decorated the place and had it mostly set up.  And before I knew it the kitchen was full of people willing and ready to help cook and serve breakfast.  Truly, I couldn’t have done it without all the help I got, and the biggest help of course came from Adam who basically ran the kitchen and gave orders while I made sure we had our craft station and story telling areas ready to go.  

One thing I didn’t assign was anyone to take picture, but there were a few people with camera, so here’s a little of how it went. 

Enjoying the food - I hope

Story Time

Me -bossing people around

Eat up!

Craft Time

It was nothing fancy, just time to make some Christmas memories and enjoy the season.  I am sure in another six years I’ll have another story to tell where I tried to do way to much on my own, some lessons we just have to keep re-learning.  Humility is one of those things that just smacks you on the side of the head sometimes. 

I am thankful for our Savior who is the ultimate example of humility.  He’s entrusted all of us here to do His work here on Earth, and I know that by doing something a silly as a Christmas party pleased Him and helped bring joy to a few people that day.