*Today at church I substituted on the organ. I was surprised to see all the songs were different than the ones the organist had told me, since there were last-minute switches that happened. Thankfully, the new songs were easier than the original ones, except for the intermediate hymn, which was loud and fast--but joyful! (It was Hymn #64--On This Day of Joy and Gladness.) It went well. :)
*Today my big little girl, newly 12, gave her first talk in Sacrament Meeting. She was assigned the topic of "Physical and Emotional Health." She did not want to do it. Not at all. But, when the time came, she just walked up and gave the talk she and her dad had prepared. I was so proud of her.
*Today our High Counselor gave a talk about service. It was a nice talk--but the thing I noticed most was that all of his quotes came from women. (Bonnie D. Parkin, Marjorie Hinckley, etc.) He also told one of my favorite stories about President Thomas S. Monson--how he would go on trips to Europe, especially East Germany, and come home with much less clothing than when he left because he would give it all away. He'd come home in his slippers after giving his shoes away. He loves and serves people--individual people. Later, in Sunday School, someone commented about what Elder Bednar talked about in a "live chat" broadcast he had with the youth earlier this week. One youth asked him what it's like to be an apostle. He said it seems that what they do is very public, with General Conference, Ensign articles, and so on. But he said he's learned that much of what they do as apostles is very private. He said (basically), "Would the Lord send an apostle all the way around the world for one person? Yes! He does it all the time." We are known and loved.
*Today a sweet sister told of her conversion, and how it hinged on the Book of Mormon. She told of how she investigated the church as a youth, and has dyslexia, so reading the Book of Mormon was a huge challenge, but she kept at it, and one day, it just hit her--it is TRUE. All of it. No turning back now. Then, in Relief Society, we had a lesson all about the Book of Mormon being the keystone of our religion, and we all were able to ponder our own testimonies of the Book of Mormon, and how the gospel is held up by its teachings. Our teacher has been a member for less than a year, and it was great to hear again this message from one who has completely converted and completely believes. I have always had the Book of Mormon in my life, and sometimes wonder what my reaction to it would be if I hadn't been introduced to it until I was an adult. I hope that I could recognize it as truth as these sisters did, and not be blinded by the teachings of men. I am thankful for my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I agree with the first sister--it is true. All of it. No going back now.
It was awesome!
Monday, May 18, 2015
May 2015, Week 2
*Today at church, in order to celebrate Mother's Day the very best way, my oldest son was set apart to the office of Teacher. He makes his mother's heart happy. We were fortunate to have my husband's brother's family in town for the weekend, so my son's dad and uncle were in the circle to ordain him. I am thankful for the Priesthood.
*Today at church I was able to substitute those Sunbeams again. This time I had time to prepare, and what a difference it made! We played a game, we had a snack, we had a lesson, we sang songs--we had order! They were just as wiggly as in the past, but I was ready, and not trying to figure out what in the world to do next. Plus, we were able to do a little craft for their mothers.
It was awesome!
*Today at church I was able to substitute those Sunbeams again. This time I had time to prepare, and what a difference it made! We played a game, we had a snack, we had a lesson, we sang songs--we had order! They were just as wiggly as in the past, but I was ready, and not trying to figure out what in the world to do next. Plus, we were able to do a little craft for their mothers.
It was awesome!
May 2015, Week 1
*Today at church we had another wonderful Fast and Testimony Meeting. Some people in my ward simply have a gift for sharing their testimonies in a way that touches so many of us.
*In Sunday School, we talked about the Light of Christ, as well as how we are like clay in the Potter's hands. I am really enjoying being able to attend Sunday School (when I'm not visiting or subbing) this year as we talk about the New Testament--especially the life of our Savior.
It was awesome!
*In Sunday School, we talked about the Light of Christ, as well as how we are like clay in the Potter's hands. I am really enjoying being able to attend Sunday School (when I'm not visiting or subbing) this year as we talk about the New Testament--especially the life of our Savior.
It was awesome!
Sunday, April 26, 2015
April 2015, Week 4
*Today was a long church day, but that's a good thing. I had an early Stake Council meeting, but was able to make it back in time for my own ward's meeting, where I was a last-minute sub for the organist and for the Sunbeam teacher. Easy, upbeat songs today--I like that. Primary in my ward is always a treat, and then I got to go to the Spanish Branch primary for a visit. I am happy to be remembering the children and their leaders!
*One of the youth speakers has dyslexia, and stumbled a bit giving her talk. After she sat down, she was on the verge of tears, and we could see her feeling worse and worse, even though we were all rooting for her and trying to give her whatever "thumbs-up" expressions we could. She was sitting between our High Counsel speaker and the adult speaker, and the High Counselor grabbed the tissues, and the adult speaker put his arm around her and quietly reassured her, and it was so sweet. I hope that the youth speaker felt of the love of everyone around her.
*Those Sunbeams--what an adventure! I think that if I had time to prepare, or if they had a routine I could jump in and follow, we would be sailing a little smoother. I couldn't get them all to look at me at one time, and there are only four. I thought I had basically taught the lesson to the air, and just let them color for the last 15 minutes. However, when they gave the closing prayers (they all wanted a turn), they each mentioned something from the lesson, and the most detailed list was from the one boy that I was sure was paying the least attention. I was humbled.
It was awesome!
*One of the youth speakers has dyslexia, and stumbled a bit giving her talk. After she sat down, she was on the verge of tears, and we could see her feeling worse and worse, even though we were all rooting for her and trying to give her whatever "thumbs-up" expressions we could. She was sitting between our High Counsel speaker and the adult speaker, and the High Counselor grabbed the tissues, and the adult speaker put his arm around her and quietly reassured her, and it was so sweet. I hope that the youth speaker felt of the love of everyone around her.
*Those Sunbeams--what an adventure! I think that if I had time to prepare, or if they had a routine I could jump in and follow, we would be sailing a little smoother. I couldn't get them all to look at me at one time, and there are only four. I thought I had basically taught the lesson to the air, and just let them color for the last 15 minutes. However, when they gave the closing prayers (they all wanted a turn), they each mentioned something from the lesson, and the most detailed list was from the one boy that I was sure was paying the least attention. I was humbled.
It was awesome!
April 2015, Week 3
*Today it was a little different at church. I had planned to substitute for the Primary pianist, but she ended up not needing me today, so I was not a substitute for anyone! I went to Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, and Relief Society, and was just a participant. Actually, since I've had a cold all week and have not much of a voice, I mostly just listened. It was...nice, but, I do prefer to be "doing" at church instead of just sitting. Oh--I did give the closing prayer in Relief Society, so that gave me some validation. :)
*Speaking of "doing" at church, our Relief Society secretary was the only one in the presidency there, so she conducted the meeting, led the music, and, since the instructor fell the night before, also taught the lesson. Busy! She told a sweet story of her son. Her own father passed away when she was young, and she has very few memories of him. However, her young son used to cry and tell her how much he missed his grandpa. She would tell him that he didn't even know him, but he would assure her that he did, and that he missed him. "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting..."
It was awesome!
*Speaking of "doing" at church, our Relief Society secretary was the only one in the presidency there, so she conducted the meeting, led the music, and, since the instructor fell the night before, also taught the lesson. Busy! She told a sweet story of her son. Her own father passed away when she was young, and she has very few memories of him. However, her young son used to cry and tell her how much he missed his grandpa. She would tell him that he didn't even know him, but he would assure her that he did, and that he missed him. "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting..."
It was awesome!
Sunday, April 12, 2015
April 2015, Week 2
*Today at church we heard some great talks about the Restoration. I am realizing now that it is probably because it was April 6th this week, and therefore the anniversary of the Restoration of the Gospel. The sister missionaries serving in our ward both spoke. One of them said something that is really applicable and profound: "You can't expect a thousand dollar answer from a ten cent prayer." I'll be thinking of that one as I pray for a while to come.
*I visited another ward for their Primary, and the theme for the month is...the Restoration of the Gospel! For Junior Primary, their president gathered all the kids together at her feet to tell them "her favorite story." Then she told of Joseph Smith as a boy, and the events leading to and during his prayer in the Sacred Grove. I could feel the Spirit immediately as she began the lesson. When I was a missionary, we did the "old school" discussions, and we shared this story with everyone we taught in the first lesson. At first I was a bit uncomfortable, because it seemed that Joseph Smith was maybe too much too fast, and people were often wary as soon as we brought his name up. Then I noticed that frequently, when we started this part of the lesson, a distraction in the home would happen--the phone would ring, a baby would cry, etc. I thought about it, and realized that the distractions and my first attitude were keeping the Spirit away. When I changed my attitude, and worked to keep that part of the lesson as free from distractions as we could, the Spirit was there full-force. Satan knew that--he tried to stop Joseph that day, and he works to stop missionaries now from telling the story, but he didn't win then, and he won't now. It became my favorite part to teach in any missionary lesson. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith--for the faithful boy, and for the dedicated man.
It was awesome!
*I visited another ward for their Primary, and the theme for the month is...the Restoration of the Gospel! For Junior Primary, their president gathered all the kids together at her feet to tell them "her favorite story." Then she told of Joseph Smith as a boy, and the events leading to and during his prayer in the Sacred Grove. I could feel the Spirit immediately as she began the lesson. When I was a missionary, we did the "old school" discussions, and we shared this story with everyone we taught in the first lesson. At first I was a bit uncomfortable, because it seemed that Joseph Smith was maybe too much too fast, and people were often wary as soon as we brought his name up. Then I noticed that frequently, when we started this part of the lesson, a distraction in the home would happen--the phone would ring, a baby would cry, etc. I thought about it, and realized that the distractions and my first attitude were keeping the Spirit away. When I changed my attitude, and worked to keep that part of the lesson as free from distractions as we could, the Spirit was there full-force. Satan knew that--he tried to stop Joseph that day, and he works to stop missionaries now from telling the story, but he didn't win then, and he won't now. It became my favorite part to teach in any missionary lesson. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith--for the faithful boy, and for the dedicated man.
It was awesome!
April 2015, Week 1
*Today for church we watched General Conference at home. We had my brother-in-law and his wife and their two small children here. This year it was Easter Sunday, too! It is always a blessing to listen to the Prophet and the apostles give their testimonies of the Savior on Easter Sunday. Elder Holland's talk was particularly moving, as usual. I am anxious to watch the talks again, when the house is a little quieter. (I do find that munching on Easter candy during Conference helps me to focus...)
It was awesome!
It was awesome!
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