August 2023, Week 4

*Today in church we had a youth-led Sacrament Meeting.  The youth planned and prepared the speakers and musical numbers, and it turned out beautifully.  Caytie was part of a small group singing "I Believe in Christ," and Tessa transposed and arranged (and played in) a two clarinet and one French horn trio, which played "I Need Thee Every Hour."  They also participated in the Young Women's and the whole group choirs.  I accompanied Tessa's number, as well as a song two brothers sang, called "I Will Go and Do."  The whole thing was so lovely.  The youth know that their Savior loves them, and that will carry them far.  They are also quite talented.  We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us!

It was a delight!

August 2023, Week 3

 *Today in church we had Sister Vasquez and Brother Vasquez (no relation) speak.  Sister Vasquez said something that I've been thinking about.  She said, as an introduction to something else she was speaking about, that "I don't always do things the way other people do them."  I'm glad for her willingness to say that though she may feel she's different, she still belongs and has valuable things to contribute.  I'm glad that we do things differently.  I think we'd be pretty uninteresting if we didn't.  Brother Vasquez is a High Counselor who spoke about sustaining.  It was related to the temple recommend question, but he talked about it more broadly, and I was happy to hear that he included sustaining his wife in his talk.  He shared a sweet story about making breakfast for his young son that morning, and his son was asking him why he had to go to an English ward.  (Brother Vasquez is a native Spanish speaker, and they speak it in their home and attend the Spanish Ward in our stake.)  He said that he was going to give a talk to us.  His son asked if there was anyone else who could do it, and he said that yes, there were other people who could, but he was the one asked by the Stake Presidency to do it, so he was going to do it.  It can be that simple.  You sustain your leaders (or spouse☺), so when they ask you to do something, you do it.  I try to live that way.

*Today was my last time substituting for Primary piano.  The pianist had emergency surgery a few weeks ago, so I stepped in to help, and Gracie was also going to help, but she wanted to finish her temple prep class before leaving for college.  I found out that the pianist wasn't going to be able to come back until November, and the Primary Program is in October.  I really don't mind playing for Primary, but I felt bad that Ben was teaching our class with substitutes each week (well, often with Scott, but this was his last Sunday before returning to college), and I was also asked to play for the choir (which does require a lot of practicing), so I found another sister who could help.  So--back to class for me.

It was a delight!

August 2023, Week 2

 *Today in church my sweet friend Amy spoke.  She and her family have lived in this area longer than just about anybody else in our ward.  Her husband Bill was the first person baptized in the newly created Wylie Ward.  We moved in just after that ward was split into two, and now there are four wards here.  However, this was her very first talk in Sacrament Meeting!  I actually hadn't realized that.  She told some very personal stories of how she has found strength in adversity.  She reminded us to look for the good in the bad.  She gave an example from earlier in the summer when her family was about to leave on vacation.  They decided to get a tire replaced, but while it was being changed, they found there was major problems with something else, so a $100 repair became a $1000 repair--but she was grateful that they found the problem before they were in the middle of their trip in the middle of nowhere with a tire falling off the car.  I am so grateful for Amy and her faith.

It was a delight!

August 2023, Week 1

 *Today at church, I substituted on the organ, so when it was time for bearing testimonies, I was already there and took advantage of being up there already.  It was a good opportunity to say how grateful I was for everyone, especially for my Savior, and I talked about some of my "spiritual touchpoints," that help guide my life, including what my mission president would always say ("The church is still true, isn't it, Sister Danielson?").  I didn't really have anything profound to share, but it was nice to take a minute to be public with my beliefs.  Another brother later got up and shared how he started thinking about his "touchpoints" and why he stays, and shared some tender things with us.

*Today our Young Women's presidency was released and a new one was called.  I'm excited for the new leadership, but I will really, really miss the president that my girls have all had and loved and learned from.  She's truly a treasure.  It's a blessing to be confident that when you send your youth, who are stepping away from you into the world to make their own decisions and create their own opinions, to church classes and you know that they will be taught truth, unapologetically.  I don't think that will be changing, but I know they had it with Sister Taylor.  She bore her testimony today and told the girls to always remember that they are so loved.

It was a delight.

July 2023, Week 5

 *Today in church I accompanied a musical number, which was a quartet singing "Abide With Me."  We had been practicing this song for a couple months, due to changed performance dates and illnesses.  I have lately been having fears of accompanying in church, because of messing up in the past, and I even felt like I'd forget how to read the music once I was in front of everyone.  But since we had so much time to practice I knew that even though I wasn't going to be perfect, I knew it well enough for muscle memory to help, and that I would NOT forget how to read it!  I was the most calm that I've been for a musical number in a while.  I'm grateful for preparation, and I'm grateful for the Spirit that brings peace.

It was a delight!

July 2023, Week 4

 *Today at church a new brother spoke, and he was relating how his mission president (I think) had said that when someone came to him to say they were leaving the church, he would always ask, "When did you stop reading your scriptures?"  This brother said there was always a pause, and then an admission of a long gap.  I think that this might be not always the case, but it does give me a reason to stop and think about what role the scriptures play in my life, and how diligent and sincere I am in my studies.

*In Primary we talked about what it means to be a Christian and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Then we acted out the story of the angel freeing Paul from prison.  I enjoy my class, and especially enjoy teaching with Ben.

It was a delight!