Joshua's First Primary Talk

We found out a few weeks ago that Joshua would be giving his first talk in Primary on May 20, and he had been assigned the topic of "The Holy Ghost Helps Me." He's seen lots of other kids get up and share a scripture, give the opening prayer, and give talks, and I think he's always been intrigued by the microphone :) But I also know that he can get extremely nervous and overwhelmed in front of large groups, especially if he is the center of attention. So he and I worked together to prepare his talk early so he'd have a couple of weeks to practice and prepare for it. Here is the text that we came up with:

Each of us can receive help from the Holy Ghost. When we are scared, He can help us feel safe. When we need to know what to do, He can help us make the right choice. He helps us know the truth, and He helps us feel Heavenly Father's love. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

At least once each day over the last two weeks, we'd sit down and read his talk together, and then Joshua would read it to me. As the days went by, he got more excited and read it with more inflection. He was so proud of himself each time and seemed to be getting over the nervousness of sharing it in front of the Primary class (at first when I told him that he'd be doing this in Primary, he'd say, "No...I think I'll just do it at home for Mommy"). I told him that I would be there to help him, and that Daddy and Grandma (who was already planning to be in town for a concert and spending the weekend with us) would be there to see him too.

The big day finally came and Joshua looked so handsome all dressed up for church. When Leah had finally had enough of Sacrament meeting (which doesn't take long these days!), we went into the Primary room so Joshua could practice standing at the podium and giving his talk into the microphone. By this time, he'd read his talk enough that he had it memorized and was quite the ham in giving it to Grandma and Daddy :) I think this helped calm a lot of his fear and showed him that he could do this! When it was time for him to get up and share his talk in front of all the Junior Primary kids and teachers, though, I could sense his intimidation and see a little fear creep into his eyes. As I was helping him stand on the chair behind the podium, he asked if I could give the talk instead. I smiled, reminded him of how hard he had worked, and encouraged him that he could do it. He held onto the microphone with one hand and he gave that talk all by himself! Granted, he said it a little more quickly than he'd practiced and looked at me instead of the class for about half of it, but he DID it and I was so, so, SO proud of him! He conquered a big fear and did such a good job.

I honestly don't have the right words to express how much I love this sweet boy. He loves to learn and he loves to please, and I know that what he did today was not super-easy for him, which makes me all the more proud of what a great job he did. I am so grateful and humbled to have been entrusted with this amazing child and to have been given the blessing of being his mother. I am also grateful for the testimony that he is building, even at a young age, of the love that Heavenly Father has for him and for the help he can receive from the Holy Ghost. What a wonderful learning experience for my little man! :)