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| Nabrotzky Women's Choir |
Monday, December 10th
For FHE
we had Sister Nabrotzky and a women’s choir come for a Christmas Program.
It was delightful. So talented and generous with their time. I
conducted FHE. Ray was kind and complimentary of my efforts but his
comment “You know you really don’t need to be nervous when you conduct.” threw
me off guard and made me worry about how I came across. Oh my,
sometimes my feelings are so fragile. I really need to get a grip.
Tuesday, December 11th
The
Temple Presidency have created a statement regarding ways to improve the patron
experience and stay focused on the ordinance. Change can be
hard for some but, honestly, nothing is really different just a re-emphasis on
helping the spirit dwell in the temple and improving the reverence. Or
in other words, improving the ability for all to feel God’s spirit while
there.
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| Ray at the gym |
Wednesday,
Dec. 12th
We went
to the gym this morning, then cleaned, laundry, made dinner, and had an
activities meeting at 3pm. Dave gave a most tender prayer to start
things off. It set a powerful tone for our discussion and within an
hour or so we had things mapped out and planned through the first week in
May. Afterward, we ate dinner together (lasagna, salad, corn,
bread). After clean up we decided to watch a Christmas
Movie. We settled on “The Man Who Invented Christmas”. We
had popcorn and Root Beer Floats while Dave polished his and our Sunday
shoes. He is amazing and so full of kindness and generosity and
service. A great example to all of us.
Thursday, December 13th
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| My beautiful polished shoes. An act of love and service. |
I had to
resist the urge to be irritated by the front staff that were joking and
visiting when we arrived and didn’t stop to help us until they had
finished. Then there was no appointment. But in the end
it was a good visit.
We did a
bit of shopping at Walgreens’ and Wegmans and Walmart. The toys
arrived for the giving tree so we got them ready to take tomorrow. Our
shift at the temple was great, uplifting, and inspiring. I came
across this scripture in D&C 128 that sent chills up my spine as I thought
about how it applies to the temple.
22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and
not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your
hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth
into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise
to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that
which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for
the prisoners shall go free.
23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry
aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And
ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and
all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep
for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together,
and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations
declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice
we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor,
and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and
powers!
I was
thrilled by the announcement regarding age changes for youth progression
and ordination. I felt shear joy and confirmation of God's hastening work.
What a marvelous time to be alive.
Sunday,
Dec. 16th
We have
been opening our 12 days of Christmas gifts which brings much Christmas cheer
into our home.
Today at
church we continued to work on the Christmas Program for next week.
I noticed
that Andrew was visiting with Alex during SS in the hall. Later, they went
to class but it appeared Alex was disruptive and soon Mom & Dad
had some words of instruction (Alex you are to stay with your father the
rest of church) I asked if it would be OK if Alex helped with the chairs
today and set up for next week. And was dad ok staying around so he could
do it now. They agreed. I spoke directly to Alex and got a commitment
that he would be at church early next week. He confessed that he is
usually the problem and agreed to be ready on time. Later, he called to
me as we were rehearsing. He asked. “Is your other half here
today?” I told him yes, Elder Pickup is here. “Do you think he
would teach me a lesson on Family History?” I assured him that Elder
Pickup would be happy to help him and that he was in Priesthood meeting if he
wanted to go and ask. He didn’t move immediately but when I looked again,
he was gone. Ray seems to have a special connection with the youth.
Later, I found out that Alex did find him in Priesthood and they spent the rest
of the meeting time working in the Family History center.
Victoria
was there with her two children; MacKenzie and Paul. As the children were
dressing in their nativity outfits, MacKenzie was found running all around the
chapel. I stopped her and kindly explained that this was not recess or a
gym. She quickly said, Yes it is, see the basketball hoop.
She was right but I explained that on Sundays this was a chapel where we worship.
She seemed to understand this and was well behaved the rest of the time.
Paul struggles more. It is nearly impossible to have a reasoning
conversation with him. He pulls away and hides under the chairs,
etc. He did ask for paper and pencil so he could write down math problems.
(remember he is only 5-6) I was happy to provide.
We stayed
for “pass-a-dish and sat with Victoria, Paul, and MacKenzie. Paul and I
talked about food mostly. And decided that peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches are delicious. He invited me to his home for some.
(cute). Then he told me about the toys he likes to play with.
Followed with “Will you come to my house and play”. I responded that that
sounded fun. Next came the declaration that I was to come today. I
told him I wouldn’t be able to come today and he got a huge frown and told me I
was no longer his friend. I feel sad for these two little ones. Mom
is young and inexperienced. She is quick to get after them and is at her
wits end most of time. The children seem starved for love. I
do love them but I worry that we will be leaving in 5 months and hope that a
more stable friendship can develop in the Branch.
Sunday
evening we went with the Bonds to the Smith Farm for an ‘Old Fashioned
Christmas’. It was well presented. We started in the Welcome Center
with the Sister missionaries caroling then watch The Nativity. We went to
the log cabin where a missionary couple were dressed as Joseph and Lucy
Smith. They read Luke 2 Then we walked and caroled to the
frame house and learned about the Christmas story from the book of
Mormon. Then more caroling and off to the barn where we learned a country
dance. Lastly, back to the basement of the Welcome Center for hot
chocolate and cookies. I remember feeling the Christmas spirit in the log
house and a warm happiness throughout the evening.
There
were several young families in our group. As we walked toward the refreshments,
I wondered if there would be any spilled cocoa. Sure enough as we were
selecting our cookies, a young boy spilled his drink on his chair. Dad
was trying to clean it up and manage the other children as well. I
remember those days. I grabbed some napkins and helped soak up the cocoa
from the fabric. It did not take long and soon everyone was enjoying their
treats.
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