This is probably the most thrilling event of our 2013 year! Breanna has always suffered from a great deal of anxiety about speaking to certain people. As she has grown older that group of people has diminished in size quite significantly, but it is something that hasn't gone away completely for her. As of this past summer, she still had two groups of people that she found it difficult to talk among. One was in Primary and the other at school. Over the summer, with our different travels and with visiting different wards, we noticed that Breanna didn't suffer from anxiety so much in Primary. She would sing and participate when called upon to do so. It was WONDERFUL seeing the growth in her and the confidence she was gaining in herself.
In September our ward began practicing for the Sacrament Meeting Presentation. Naomi promised Breanna ice cream if she would speak her part instead of us having to play a recording for her. Breanna's confidence was already significantly increased, and within her heart, she decided that she could do this. As her primary teacher, I was there to assist if needed. When it was her turn to practice her part, I went up with her, but she spoke loud and clear into the microphone. I remember looking at the primary presidency and smiling to myself at the stunned expressions on their faces. Of course I could do nothing more than that, because my heart was so full it was brimming out my eyes. Breanna had just made a significant step in overcoming her biggest challenge at this point in her life!
The following week, Breanna spoke her part in Sacrament Meeting and earned her ice cream, but better than her ice cream was the reward of overcoming a challenge and I could feel the support and love of the whole ward as they witnessed our special girl doing something that was really hard for her. The spirit was so strong, and once again my heart was filled to overflowing and leaking out my eyes.
Two months later, Breanna had decided that she was going to bear her testimony in Sacrament meeting. Chad wasn't there with us that Sunday as he was away helping his father, but the rest of us were privileged and delighted to see Breanna confidently stand up, take the microphone and bear a strong testimony of the gospel. Again, I could feel the love and support of the ward as they sat in amazement at the courage of this strong daughter of God. Breanna chose to again bear her testimony the following month and this time her dad was able to witness for himself the strength and courage of our youngest daughter.
As I have watched Breanna overcome this challenge to such an extent (she is still working on the school part), I have been very impressed with the impact of goal setting. Each time Breanna makes a big step she almost always tells me or another family member that she is about to speak here or there or to a person of her choice. Once she does it the first time, and jumps over that hurdle, it is completely behind her. She never looks back. She has never once faltered at primary since the day she began speaking in Sacrament Meeting. She has an amazing ability to overcome a bit and move forward. She doesn't worry about if what she said was perfect or if everybody could hear her or not, she just moves forward.
From Breanna there is a valuable lesson taught. It is SO important to overcome our weaknesses - whether they be a tendency to be judgmental, overeat, skip prayers or study time, or any other imperfection - once we decide we are going to overcome a weakness, we CAN put forth the effort, set our minds and hearts to the task and DO IT! Sometimes we are less than perfect, and sometimes we falter, but having made the decision to DO we should never look back wondering if maybe the weakness benefited us in some way. Weakness will never benefit us UNTIL it is made into a strength. This can only happen by moving forward and overcoming those challenges that threaten to swallow us at times. Thank you Breanna for setting such a good example and for showing your courage and determination to do hard things! I can easily see a time that standing in front of a group of people and giving a speech or talk will be something that will be easily within your grasp! You are awesome!!!
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