Try, Try, Try

Last week at church Peter was given the assignment for the following Sunday to recite the First Article of Faith in Primary opening exercises. We started working on it early in the week so that he would know what he was supposed to say, but given his two previous attempts, I wasn't getting my hopes up. I would recite it and then he would recite it. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

On Sunday morning before church we set up a mock podium for Peter to practice. He said the whole thing without any prompting. Then I had him practice it again, but louder. Then I had him imagine that all the Primary kids were staring at him while he spoke. That sounds cruel, I know, but it can be an important technique to prepare yourself to speak in public.

Bryan, Cooper, and I parked ourselves in the back of the Primary room, ready to see what Peter would do. We had already decided that Bryan would be the helper this time and that I would stay in my seat. We sang along with the opening song (which Cooper loved), listened to the announcements and watched three other Sunbeams go up to the podium for their assignments. The little boy that was asked to give the prayer wouldn't even climb the steps, while the two little girls that gave the talk and the scripture delivered their parts nicely.

Then came the moment of truth. Peter's name was announced. Would he speak?

He bounced out of his seat, walked to the podium, climbed the steps, and smiled. Then, as Bryan whispered in his ear, Peter spoke loudly and clearly. He did it! And he was happy about it! Later, the Primary President told me that she was so excited that Peter spoke.

Me too.