Your What?

(Sorry mom, but this goes with my story.)

Okay, so my mom's been married three times already. She divorced her last husband in 2005. When they separated, she sort of went on to 'find herself.' Well, she went on a three year search and during that time, I felt like the adult in our relationship and she wasn't much of a grandparent to my children.

So, when she called and asked if she could come over and visit, I was kind of shocked. She also asked if it was okay for her to bring a "friend" over. I'm sure I rolled my eyes when I told her yes. Well, a little while later they showed up and I was introduced to Gary. He was very nice and softspoken. The boys were playing with a slot car race track and he joined them. We talked about my primary calling and she said they had been seeing each other for about a week and a half. We visited for a bit longer and they left.

A few days later, Brian and I were going to a movie. We had just pulled into the mall parking lot and my phone rang. It was my mom. This was our conversation:

Me: Hey mom

Mom: Hi Amber. Are you busy.

Me: Just about to go to a movie.

Mom: Well, I'll be quick...Remember Gary from the other night?

Me: Yeah...he's real nice.

Mom: Well, I'm glad you think so, because we are getting married.

Me: WHAT???!!!???

Mom: Yeah, and I'd like you to sing at the wedding.

Me: WHAT????

Mom: We are getting married and I want you to sing. Will you do it?

Me: Well, I guess. What do you want me to sing?

Mom: Just choose one of the songs you like to sing that's appropriate for a wedding and it will be fine. the wedding is on Thursday.

Me: Thursday, like in two days Thursday?

Mom: Yes. It will be over at Gary's sister's house.

Me: Yeah...alright...I'll call you later.

Mom: Okay, bye.

I turned to Brian and said "WHAT???"

I called my mom that evening and talked to her. She told me that this really wasn't something she was jumping into head-first. She said they prayed about it and even went in and talked to the Bishop. He told them he felt strongly that this was a good thing and they should go ahead and get married. He would perform the ceremony.

 

The Calling

So...I really feel like I need to share my story. I am going to start from the beginning of Summer 2008. This is where I feel like everything begins. Don't worry...I'll break it into chunks. The first one I'm naming "The Calling."

I had not been to church in quite some time. I was a full time student at UNM and just wrapped up in school, motherhood, and a contentious marriage. Brian and I were not on the same page in a lot of areas. I felt like I couldn't talk to him at all. My life was school and he constantly said that I talked to him like he was a child...unintentionally, I think, on my part. I think I was so used to working with children on a daily basis--be it my own or in the classes I worked in--that's how I related. I didn't get much adult conversation. Anyway, I felt like I was in a rut and just sort of surviving. We fought all the time and kids were always in a tizzy. Not much peace in my home.

Then, in June, I was called to teach a primary class at church. I was a little confused. Why would they want me to teach primary when I hadn't been to church in probably eight months? Brother Warner, of the Bishopric, asked me during my interview for this calling if I had a testimony. I told him I did, but it was very weak. I remembered a time as a much younger person having a much stronger testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the church. I knew that church callings were not given by drawing a name from a hat. I knew that the Bishopric had prayed and received the answer that I was to be called. I had also been taught as a young person to never refuse a church calling because it was a calling from God. So, I accepted the calling and began teaching the CTR 6 class at church--coincidentally Brandon's class.

I have said many times that when I am through with college and start teaching, I don't want to teach K-3. So, I get a class of 5 and 6 year old children to teach at church. I thought, this was my lesson to learn from this calling. Maybe 5 and 6 year old children wouldn't be so bad to teach. I was right, they were awesome...but little did I know that my lesson was yet to come.

Brian was irritated that I took the calling. He said it was their way of "sucking me back in." I told him it was my decision and that I wanted to do it. He never said another word about it.