During Sacrament meeting today Matt leaned over to Luke and challenged him to bear his testimony. Little did he know what he was putting him up to :) Luke was nervous and said he didn't want to. After a while he leaned over and told me he thought he had enough courage to do it. I quickly wanted to make sure his testimony didn't turn into a "thank-a-mony" or something and so I reviewed the 5 ingredients in a testimony. He acted like he had this one in the bag and didn't need my instruction. Just before he went up he asked me what day Grandma and Grandpa Rose came in town. I'm thinking oh that is cute that he is going to mention them.
So he walked up to the podium, by himself because he didn't want me with him. He opened his testimony in the sweetest way saying "For those of you that don't know me, my name is Luke Rose." I immediately teared up because he sounded so grown up. I expected to hear the same old "I want to bear my testimony...I know this church is true...I'm grateful for my mom and dad....etc, " but to my surprise, Luke began speaking like an adult would when they start to tell a story! He started out saying that his Grandma and Grandpa came in town Tuesday and he was worried because he thought it would rain all week and that it wouldn't be a fun week for them. He went on to tell how we were able to go to Rock Springs and the weather held out long enough for us to go down the river 3 times before the horn sounded, warning us of lightning, and so we had to get out. He said he was grateful for the good weather. So I'm thinking he is doing a great job and that he is going to tie it into prayer or something. But suddenly he seemed to get really comfortable and kind of enjoyed having the undivided attention of the whole audience and then he goes off telling about how, at Rock Springs, Gavin started trying to catch a frog and Luke had to stop him and then Gavin got a stick and was poking the frog and then Luke had to grab him and tell him to stop again, etc. etc. etc. Matt and I looked at each other and realized it was going nowhere fast as he was starting to really get into the details of the story. So Matt walked up to the stand and sat behind him and whispered in his ear to share his testimony. Luke nodded his head and continued on like he didn't hear him, "AND THEN when we got home Gavin was covered in poop and my mom had to yell for my dad's help!" Matt immediately jumped up before Luke could get into the details of the "poop" story as we like to call it, and whispered again to bear his testimony. Luke looked back at the audience and says "oh never mind" and then finishes up. WHEW! That was a close one! Matt gave him a hug and then stood up and started his testimony, "Well, I know a good topic for Family Home Evening tomorrow." It was so cute!
Luke was very embarrassed when he got back to his seat. He teared up and you could tell he wanted to curl up into a ball and be invisible. We tried unsuccessfully to comfort him. But then our wonderful Primary President, Sister Von Hack, got up and choked up as she said how grateful she was for cute little Luke Rose who showed us his courage to stand up. She said he must feel the love and support of our ward family to feel comfortable enough to tell of his experiences. Then, she quoted Mark 10:14, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God." She said she hadn't felt like getting up today but because of Luke's example she got up. TALK ABOUT SWEET! It made him feel so much better! He sat up a little taller and was able to wipe away his tears. Needless to say we have taken many opportunities today to review WHAT a testimony is! : )
Here's Luke NOT sitting with me
Luke AGAIN NOT sitting with me :(
Here's my little buddy Lauren
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