12.07.2008

Church callings make me sick.

I find myself, today, home from church and sick as can be... again. I can hardly swallow, it hurts like crazy to cough, and my head is pounding. I think big, stressful events in my life make me physically ill. And most of the time, these events occur because of my various church callings. They are also, I believe, the cause of my skin breaking out and my body ingesting entirely too much comfort food and/or diet pop. Hmmm...

This is just how I roll, unfortunately. People can tell me to simplify and not worry and delegate all they want, but still, the responsibility for the fabulousness of whatever's going on lands squarely on my shoulders. I can't help but feel the weight of it. I think back to six weeks ago when I started googling and thinking of an idea for our Christmas party - and felt like Zarahemla WAS SOOOO the right direction to go... but now, holy cow, I find myself with 5 days to go and 500 things to still coordinate/build/borrow/set up... we don't have nearly the budget I thought, it's too late to change plans, and I'm so weak I can barely do anything.

There was a time, probably for a year, that I had a calling to teach Relief Society, (which I loathed). And once a month, like clockwork, the week preceding my lesson, I would get horribly sick. Seriously. It was too much of a coincidence for there not to be a connection.

So tell me, what's the solution? I need to simplify - should they just call me as the hymn book collector after Sacrament Meeting each Sunday? Throw me back behind the piano in Primary again? Or how about I become the one who's responsible for bringing the bread each Sunday? I KNOW I could do that, at least. What's the most stress-free calling you've ever had? Please share, my health and sanity depend on it...

6 comments:

RandiSue said...

If your calling is anything like a geneology calling then you are stuck for the duration of your earthly LIFE. You will have to hope they don't do parties in Heaven.
You have now set the standard for ward activities SO HIGH that no one can possibly replace you.
My only recommendation at this point would be Zoloft with a Pepsi chaser(non diet of course).

Carlos said...

Are you barfing? If not, then you are not that sick. No, really--I saw you on Friday and spoke to you on Saturday and you are one sick girl.

Take Mother's Day off!

Margaret said...

hope you are starting to feel better tonight??? And I am sad to report for all of us "marthas" out there...there are no stress free callings.... My goal is to be more "mary" this year.... it is not easy!!!

Cameron said...

Good vent blog

Ashlee said...

2 Thoughts:

I had a visiting teacher several years ago tell me that my 70% effort was so much greater than what people were use to, that it would feel like 100% to everyone else. Your standard is much higher than ours. It is okay to let some of it go.

On callings: Today I had the chance to change a messy diaper for someone and wondered if that could ever be a calling. I really don't mind it so much and there is no pressure for a job like that. Everyone is happy you did it and nobody else wants to do it. I would just be the go to person if someone had a need. I would bring various sizes and all the supplies necessary. The nursery teachers would just bring the kid to me, and the parents could continue learning or teaching. It would be a huge service for so many....the only problem would be finding a substitute perchance I had to be gone.

hang in there Shellie. We love you!

Collette said...

I was once the librarian for a stint. It was the BEST! I brought in candy every week - it was a party.