Monday, January 15, 2007
Waiting for May 6
Going to church is a different experience for me these days than it has ever been. For example, since I was very little, I have always been admonished to bring my scriptures with me to church, and I have religiously (ha!) made that a habit.
But I haven't brought my scriptures with me to church for a few months now. I don't pay attention in any of my meetings like I used to. And frankly, the result is that church isn't as spiritually uplifting for me as it used to be. I wish I could go back to my old habits and make church better, but I can't. Not until Sunday May 6, 2007.
That's the date that Ellie is allowed in the nursery.
I love my little baby, but she's quite a handful at church, and I usually have the sole responsibility of taking care of her during Sunday School and Priesthood meetings, because Shelly is fulfilling her own calling as Primary teacher. Especially this year, when our meetings switched to the 11:00 to 2:00 block--smack when Ellie is usually taking her long daily nap and eating lunch--it's been difficult handling her.
I find I spend almost as much time wandering the halls with her to keep her from screaming as I do sitting down and listening to the talks and lessons. Opening up my scriptures and reading along is a doomed enterprise, as the pages would get ripped out of the book as soon as I opened it (assuming I have hands free enough to open it in the first place).
We've considered hiring a non-Mormon babysitter (or at least someone on a different time schedule than us) to watch Ellie for us while we go to--and enjoy!--church. But somehow that seems a little unrighteous (not that Ellie gets anything out of church at this point in her life anyway). So we'll just keep plugging along until the first Sunday after her 18-month birthday, and then I'll start bringing my scriptures to church again.
But I haven't brought my scriptures with me to church for a few months now. I don't pay attention in any of my meetings like I used to. And frankly, the result is that church isn't as spiritually uplifting for me as it used to be. I wish I could go back to my old habits and make church better, but I can't. Not until Sunday May 6, 2007.
That's the date that Ellie is allowed in the nursery.
I love my little baby, but she's quite a handful at church, and I usually have the sole responsibility of taking care of her during Sunday School and Priesthood meetings, because Shelly is fulfilling her own calling as Primary teacher. Especially this year, when our meetings switched to the 11:00 to 2:00 block--smack when Ellie is usually taking her long daily nap and eating lunch--it's been difficult handling her.
I find I spend almost as much time wandering the halls with her to keep her from screaming as I do sitting down and listening to the talks and lessons. Opening up my scriptures and reading along is a doomed enterprise, as the pages would get ripped out of the book as soon as I opened it (assuming I have hands free enough to open it in the first place).
We've considered hiring a non-Mormon babysitter (or at least someone on a different time schedule than us) to watch Ellie for us while we go to--and enjoy!--church. But somehow that seems a little unrighteous (not that Ellie gets anything out of church at this point in her life anyway). So we'll just keep plugging along until the first Sunday after her 18-month birthday, and then I'll start bringing my scriptures to church again.
Comments:
Ha! A bunch of Mormon guys I know (several in our ward) have told me that their children are a great excuse to leave meetings and avoid paying attention... they almost seem sad when the kids graduate to nursery. Way to set the spiritual bar high for us soon-to-be-pops ;)
Well, as boring as Sunday School can sometimes be, at least it's still more entertaining and interesting than looking at the wallpaper in the hallway, that's what I say.
You are making the assumption that your daughter will actually go and stay by herself in the nursery. As a parent and former nursery leader, my experience would say that very few oldest children stay by themselves for at least 4-5 months. This means you will be spending your time in the nursery-- which is better than the hall. Toys, snacks-- I think it's not a bad way to spend church time at all! Good luck!
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