Where's Joseph When I Need Him?

I've read more than once that the state of pregnancy can induce vivid dreams. So true. Most nights, I have very detailed, borderline bizarre dreams that make me laugh, shudder or seek reassurance from various loved ones the day after. Here's what last night brought:

Sidenote: As I lay in bed this morning, each dream segment was so startlingly detailed that I decided to blog about them. Now, as I type, a fuzziness creeps along the edges, rubbing out certain parts.

#1. While in some kind of auditorium, cultural hall (it kept shifting back and forth between something with a low-ish ceiling and a gym), I was frantically searching my quilted church bag for the music the YW were supposed to sing. The room as packed with expectant parents and friends. So packed. Like Broadway show packed. I could not find the right music. I had all of this other music and as I'd pull it out, I'd know immediately it wasn't the right song and I couldn't even substitute because the sheetmusic would be incomplete with many of the middle pages missing. It was our turn to sing and everyone was waiting and I'm throwing things out of my bag, knowing people were turning around in their seats to watch me, and I'm purposely keeping my eyes down to avoid seeing the annoyance and expectations in others faces.

Suddenly, my friend and former counselor, Michelle, was at the piano announcing a different number. I felt panicked because Michelle doesn't play the piano (she does play the cello and ukulele, however. So cool!) and all at once, the girls were doing a choreographed showtune (not at all churchy, which stressed me out) that involved clapping and dancing on a set of risers. There were all sorts of girls I didn't recognize on the risers with them and I felt this huge mixture of relief that they were singing something and shame that I had failed them.

Possible interpretation: I am stressed that i can no longer rely on Michelle's awesome adaptability and knack for handling the YW on short notice. Also, I need to clean out my church bag.

#2. Also a church dream but much more disturbing. I was playing the organ as prelude and the meeting isn't starting on time. People are getting more and more loud in their conversation and, all of a sudden, this girl who is dressed somewhere between being a goth and a throw-back 80's punk rock gal (like she had on this humongous pearl cross necklace in blood red) came on the stand and was shouting and laughing and hugging all of her friends. My reverent playing didn't seem to matter and so I left the organ and sat on a metal folding chair in front of it and said to a girl with a frizzy perm, "Everyone is being too loud. We should be embarrassed I(I think it may have been a Stake Conference setting). The girl stood up, pushed me and told me to mind my own business. We started to brawl. Brawl! There was a hallway behind the seats on the stand and we were pushing each other down it and I told her to stay out. I won the brawl but not decidedly and I came back to play the organ and give the loud blond girl wearing the bright red cross the stink eye. Suddenly, I came to a hymn in the hymnbook I had never seen or heard but it was the perfect message. When I started to play it, the sound dropped to an immediate hush and there were several people crying it was so beautiful. I think I cried too.

Possible interpretation: The YW in the stake have been asked to sing a song at stake conference. I have no idea why this could or would be stressful to me, since it isn't at all, but maybe my subconscious realizes something I don't and is stressed about how the song will go (see dream #1). As far as the brawling goes, I would never, ever even tell someone to be quiet, much less physically fight them about it. I believe the perms and crosses have to do with some prejudices of mine.

#3. I am in eighth grade. I know this because I am in Mr. Barker's classroom only the room is facing a different direction than it actually did. I am waiting in my desk for the bell to ring but at the same time, am sticking my head out the door to see if Henry is coming. He is. He's running down the hall, trying not to be late (Mr. Barker was mean) and I'm hurrying him along in my head. He's bigger but still wearing the outfit he wore to last night's actual football game, a Thomas the Tank Engine t-shirt and blue zip-up hoodie. Only....bigger. He makes it in time, sits down one row over and one seat up and just as I'm about to relax, he starts brushing his teeth with a loud Sonicare toothbrush. My heart races at the noise and mess and Jay starts to rub my neck from behind me, telling me to calm down. I feel calmer. I love his touch and reassurance and can feel myself loving him deeply, even though we are only eighth graders. Then, many of those in the class start to brush their teeth and I realize it's all o.k. We just got back from lunch.

Possible interpretation: I worry about my kids hygiene habits and their new teachers since school just started. Another thought, Henry's personality stresses me out even though his mischief and marching to the beat of his own drum will turn out fine. Also, I desperately need Jay.

That's the best I can do without bidding Joseph to come and interpret these dreams for me. I'm looking for more prophetic meaning, like famine or plenty, but mostly think I should double check my church bag for the right music before Sunday. And, should you be thinking about it, don't go out and get a perm. I might beat you up.