*Today at church a brother spoke about fathers (as it is Father's Day), and how he had many father figures in his life to fill in for his missing father, and he honored all of them. He also spoke about the Priesthood. He is an adult convert to the church, and told of when he was asked to give his first Priesthood blessing. He was extremely nervous, but had support of the other brothers, and was able to give a blessing to a man who was very sick. The next day the man died! He was so apologetic to everyone, feeling as if he had caused the death somehow. The sweet new widow assured him that he had not failed, but that he had put her husband in a place where he could pass comfortably into the next life. Sometimes life gives us challenges and we don't always understand how these are opportunities to bless us and others. We just need to ask for the Spirit to guide us, and to help us say and do what we need to say and do.
*Today at church I taught my Primary class about Jesus's suffering in Gethsemane. This is a story they are very familiar with, but I think the part that's new is learning what it means for them in their own trials. We also talked about, "Not my will, but thine be done." In our own lives, we may think we're sacrificing something when we're asked to do hard things, but in every case, the blessings that come from the "sacrifice" outweigh the loss. It is not easy. It is worth it.
*After Sacrament Meeting, despite it being Father's Day, Ben, Caytie, Tessa, and Benson left for Scout Camp. I'm going to miss them this week. We're going to have a quiet house with my older three working during the day. I'm grateful, though, for all they'll get to learn and experience, and that they get to have their dad with them.
It was a delight!
