November 2023, Week 3

 *Today at church the Primary practiced a new song I hadn't heard before called "Thankful," by Shawna Belt Edwards. It is simple and so sweet.  I noticed it was written in 2020, our pandemic year, so it was extra meaningful to think of being grateful for the hand of God in all parts of our life.

*In my Primary class, we talked about James 1:5 and the impact it had on Joseph Smith, and therefore all of us.  Just like on my mission, testifying of him and the visit he had from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ made my heart fill with joy and assurance of the truth.

It was a delight!

November 2023, Week 2

 *Today at church the youth speaker talked about how we can know we are known and loved by God.  She mentioned that this was hard for her to do, which at first I thought, "How could such a sweet, good person not know they are known and loved by God?"  Then I thought back to being a youth, and remembered that yes--it is sometimes HARD to learn how to feel Him and to feel His love.  It's when most of us start to feel alone in the world, for whatever reason, and we have to actually start applying all the things we have been learning up to then.  She shared some sweet examples of when her prayers were answered, and how she felt God's love through that, and I think that is an excellent reminder of looking to see His hand, even when we can't see His face.

*A brother (who is a father of four young girls with an awesome art teacher wife) spoke about President Nelson's talk from conference called "Think Celestial."  He said that most of the time, when people ask how he's doing, he replies with, "I'm surviving."  He said he's trying to change his habits through "thinking celesital" to move from a survival mindset to a thriving mindset.  I thought that was good advice.

*The final speaker is a new sister in our ward, who is pretty quiet, so I haven't even seen her before.  (Being in Primary has a few drawbacks.)  She was very vulnerable about some struggles with depression, and shared how people in her life answered prayers to help her through.  I hope I can be sensitive to the Spirit to help people when needed, and willing to ask for help myself if that need arises.

It was a delight!

November 2023, Week 1

 *Today at church I enjoyed listening to the testimonies of members of my ward.  Several older siblings helped younger siblings, and it is sweet to see their desire to help and to testify of the Spirit they feel in their lives.  In January our Bishop declared this year the year of miracles, and people have been sharing the miracles they've seen, big and small.  One small miracle I've had is that I finally went to see a chiropractor for my aching tail bone, and I'm able to sit through church (and stand up again) without sharp pains.  The pain is still there, but much, much less intense.

*In Primary, we wrote notes to Kara Webb, a sister in our ward with lung cancer that has spread to the point that she will be entering hospice care this week. I knew Kara when she was the Stake Young Women's President and I was the Stake Primary President, and heard her testify of tender things in our Stake Counsel meetings.  About two years ago she moved with her daughter's family into our ward.  She has been stalwart through her cancer battle, doing her calling even while in a hospital bed, and the last time I visited with her, she wanted all the news of my kids, who she doesn't even really know, instead of talking about herself.  Heaven is about to gain an angel back, but we are about to lose one.  The kids' notes were so sweet.  I hope they bring her a little relief.

It was a delight!

*Update: Kara passed away on Tuesday morning. 💔