June 2023, Week 2

 *Today at church I had no major responsibilities--which these days means no music substitutions and no Primary lesson due to some training the Presidency was doing with teachers.  I was heading to the car about to announce how great it was, but changed my mind, because I didn't want my kids to think that I'm not excited when I do get the chance to serve.  I realized that I do prefer to have something to do at church.  I'm grateful for the speakers (who were great) and the hymns and the prayers and the training, and yes, a day of lighter responsibilities, but I want my hands to be used as much as they can be in the service of the Lord.  It is beautiful and rewarding.

It was a delight!

June 2023, Week 1

 *Today at church was Fast and Testimony Meeting. We had a steady stream of awesome people share their testimonies of Christ.  I had been thinking that I might share something, but I didn't make it happen, as there were not really any lulls in the meeting.  I know you don't have to have a plan about what to speak on, or a memorable story or anything beyond a simple witness of faith in our Savior, but thinking of speaking without a plan kind of disables me, so I usually try to think of something to say before testifying.  I didn't get to share it with my congregation, but here's what I was thinking about...

In a long-ago Sacrament Meeting, probably when I was still in Primary, a speaker told of a code he and his wife used while holding hands.  One of them would squeeze the other three times, which meant, "I love you!"  The other would respond with four squeezes, which meant, "I love you, too!"  Then the first would squeeze twice, meaning, "How much?" and the other would respond with a tight, long squeeze.  My siblings and I liked that, and we would do it to each other now and then, and then I taught it to Ben when we were married, though we usually shorten it to just the final long tight squeeze.  

The day before, I had been driving home from a campout our family went on in Tool, TX, which is pretty rural.  The weather had been perfect and the fields were so full of wildflowers, and it was just so beautiful.  Late at night I was thinking about church today, and what I may say if I got the chance, and I thought I'd like to testify of how much I love my Heavenly Father.  Then I thought of the hand squeezing code, and thought I could feel Heavenly Father say, "I love you, too!"  And I thought, "How much?"  And he gave me the memory of driving through the wildflowers, with my sweet family together, and my heart felt like it was being squeezed long and tight.  Then I thought of Him saying, "I love you!"  And I replied, "I love You, too!"  And He asked, "How much?"  And I thought of how I could show my love for Him, and thinking that I try to show that by keeping the commandments and serving His children.  I'm so grateful for Him and His love.

It was a delight!

May 2023, Week 4

 *Today before church I was laying in bed thinking that I was excited for church, but my tail bone wasn't.   I've been having trouble sitting for long periods of time because of pain in my tail bone, and for some reason, church seats are some of the most difficult for me, even with padded pews.  We had spent a wonderful (but long) evening at Gracie's high school graduation the night before, and my tail bone was still in a bit of pain from that.  I prayed that it wouldn't be an issue for me today.  Very soon after my prayer, I got a text from our organist asking if I could be her last minute substitute due to her sick children.  I'm always happy to help her out, and was grateful there was time to review the hymns before getting to church.  Things went well (though not perfect-- it's never perfect! 🙂) and after Sacrament Meeting I was heading to Primary with Ben and remarked that my prayer had been answered in an unexpected way.  Since I was getting up and down from sitting at the organ several times, I wasn't still for a long period of time, and my tail bone didn't have a chance to get sore!  An unexpected and tender mercy.

*Our Young Women's President spoke today.  I love her thoughtful comments and humility mixed with boldness.  My girls have been truly blessed under her leadership, and I pray often in gratitude for that.

*One of my "more active" Primary boys made a comment that surprised me with its thoughtfulness., because I'm never quite sure if he's paying attention to anything that's being said.  Our music leader was reviewing the song "Come, Follow Me" and asked, "What does 'And let us in his footsteps tread' mean?"  He answered, "So we don't have to come up with a new way to do things.  He already made a path, and we just follow Him so we will go the right place and not have to make up something new."  Well done. 

May 2023, Week 3

*Today at church I was reminded by a newly returned missionary of how blessed we are to have the Book of Mormon.  It has only been on earth in the form it is now for 200 years.  I personally get so much strength and information and comfort and moments of spiritual awareness from it.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity to know more about Jesus Christ from it.  What am I doing to let others have the same gift?

It was a delight.

May 2023, Week 2

*Today at church we celebrated Mother's Day.  I'm grateful that I've never had negative feelings about this day, as many other sisters do, but I do understand why it's hard for some.  I am grateful for the desire and ability to mother, for both my own children and for others I associate with, and for all those that step up to mother my children, too, as their teachers, advisors, and mentors.  Benson sang "I Often Go Walking" with the Primary for the last time--it's the last time I'll have one of my children singing on Mother's Day as a Primary kid.  After the first half of Primary (when I taught my class), we ladies were excused to the Relief Society Room for fruit, cupcakes, and visiting.  (Ben and Scott covered Primary music time. ☺)  It was a nice morning.

*A couple sisters after church gave me Mother's Day hugs, and they were very appreciated.

It was a delight!

May 2023, Week 1

*Today in church we had Fast and Testimony Meeting.  It was SO GOOD.  Scott was with us for his first Sunday back from college, and it was his birthday (yay!), and I had a new hair cut (finally!).  I had a few moments of a mini pity party, but was able to talk myself out of it.  Our Bishopric does a great job of reminding us each week that the main reason we are at church is to take the Sacrament, and that was a highlight.

*Today one sister shared a story that happened with her kids.  Her daughter (7) asked if she could have a protein shake.  My friend was hesitant to give one to her, since the protein powder is expensive, and the daughter has a history of not liking the taste of it.  Her daughter really, really wanted one, though, so she promised that if she didn't drink it all, she wouldn't listen to audio books for a week.  Apparently she listens to the books non-stop almost all day, and they're really important to her.  So her mom agreed and fixed her a shake.  A couple hours later, her mom found the shake on the kitchen counter, barely touched.  She was upset about the waste, but more upset that she was now going to have to follow through with the no audio book arrangement, which would be very hard for both of them.  She left to do something else, and a little while later came back to find her son (one of my 4 year old preschoolers) chugging down the now warm protein shake.  She was surprised, because she knew her son didn't like the taste of protein shakes either, so she asked him what he was doing.  He said, "I didn't want (sister) to have to give up her audio books, so I'm drinking the shake for her."  He is the sweetest kid.  My friend said that her husband pointed out that this is how it works with our Savior.  He gives us the mercy in the justice situation.  He covers for us when we lack.  He shows us love when we have chosen another path.  He gives us the way back.  It is the sweetest.

*Two or three people shared how they were protected this week from harm, even in potentially life-threatening situations.  God's hand was over them in these miracles.  One of the final sisters to talk shared how even when the protection doesn't come in the way we think it should, God IS the miracle in every situation.  He IS there.  He lifts, He guides, He loves, He does protect and He does provide a way out, and He gives us comfort for those left after He calls His children home.

*As we were singing our closing hymn, I was thinking about my Primary class that I was about to go teach.  They are an energetic bunch and I was preparing myself to be positive so that we could stay on track to try to bring the Spirit to the lesson.  The song was "Be Thou Humble," and the second verse says, "Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee to serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love."  That was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, and honestly, it would be a good reminder every Sunday before going to class.  These kids need structure and some redirection at times, but it needs to be with pure and gentle love--and God will teach me to do it gladly when I'm humble.  I am glad to be a Primary teacher, especially with Ben as my co-teacher.

It was a delight!

April 2023, Week 4

*Today at church, perhaps because I attended two baptisms yesterday, I really enjoyed listening to the Sacrament prayers.  I didn't get any new insight or deep spiritual connection because of them, but I find comfort in the repetitive prayers, and the sincerity of the boys performing the ordinances was obvious and sweet.  I'm grateful for this weekly opportunity to remember and recommit.

*Our organist was back after her maternity leave!  Hooray!  But during the intermediate hymn (Is that what it's called?  I suddenly can't remember what we call the hymn in the middle of the meeting), she had stepped out to care for her upset toddler, and the Bishop caught my eye and invited me up to play.  I had already told everyone that I'd be willing to do that if the need came up, and here it was.  The hymn was #305--"The Light Divine," which I now officially do NOT recommend playing cold!  It was tricky!  But we powered through.  Again, I'm grateful for the chance to serve, even when I get to make mistakes in front of everyone--loudly.

*I got to teach Primary with Ben.  He has been travelling a lot, but is almost always home on the weekends, which is why I really appreciate having this calling with him.  He did have to leave to catch a plane after our class.  I'll miss him.

It was a delight!