Hall Class

Henry and I are members of the church hall class. He is noisy, fidgety, and he likes to chirp like a bird, and I do not believe in disturbing the efforts of teaching (especially since I am a teacher and I know what it is like!). So, we spend a good portion of our time sitting on the couch in the foyer, watching all the lovely people go by (it is facinating, you should try it!). 

I love it in the hall class. In some respects, I feel I learn more from observing people and their actions, than I do sitting in on a Sunday School lesson. (There are usually people going in and out of different classes/meetings.) I am naturally a people-watcher, so it suits me just fine to view the actions of those around me. (Yes, I do interact with people, too.) During my time in the hall, I have come to observe what lovely people there are, especially at church. There are so many good, marvelous souls, just trying to do their best. I have also noticed that Mormons can be remarkably beautiful people -- which is nice, because it makes them easier to watch. :-)

"What big eyes you have!" 

"All the better to see you with, my dear."

I was not always happy to be a member of the hall class. With my first child, Sammi, I used to wonder why staying the full 3 hours of church was even necessary, since I spent at least 2 hours in the hall, or mother's lounge. I would go faithfully (and I always will), but sometimes I felt gypped as I had to remove myself from the classroom as Sammi would let out her precious baby shriek. (I left on my own accord, I was not forced out or anything.) Those new mother days were hard! I loved having my sweet baby, and snuggling in the hall (or feeding in the nursing lounge) -- but I also longed for the mental/spiritual stimulation I would receive from attending my classes, especially since I felt like I had pushed out some brain cells along with the placenta. It was a battle for me, but I made it through -- mostly unharmed -- and definitely for the better.

Now that I am older (and wiser), I love the quiet hall class that I get to share with my cherubic baby! I have realized that there is great power just being in the church building. I love being at church. I love being in the Lord's house. And when I can just let the pressure of performance go (you know, putting on the fake-happy smile until your cheeks hurt), and when I can just "be still" -- that is when I can feel the peace and joy that comes from my presence at church. No matter where I am in the building: the chapel, the classroom, the nursing lounge, the hallway, etc., I can feel my Savior's love for me. Even (and often especially), as I sit with my sweet baby in our special limited time only hall class.

And thanks to my parents, I have a special hall class "manual."  They gave me this book to write my thoughts in, and it has become the perfect thing for me to do, while I am nestled in the comfy church couch with Henry. 

My plan for this book is to fill each page with a favorite quote, and then write some very brief feelings about it . . . nothing complicated or stressful, just thoughts.

 Oh, and I really want to have my handwriting analyzed . . .  it hasn't changed since grade school! 

So, if you are also part of the church hall class, don't hate it, or feel gypped -- embrace it, love it! It will pass quickly . . . too quickly. And one day, you may wish for the sweet and simple lessons taught while holding your eternal posterity tightly in your arms. You may wish you could escape to the gloriousness of the hall class. If you are currently privileged to have a baby to hold, while knocking over chairs, interrupting the class, covered in spit-up, and making a mad-dash to the door . . . just enjoy it! You are holding the most important church doctrine in your arms -- no doubt about it!