Gerrie Taylor was the first to talk in sacrament meeting
this morning – his theme: ‘A New Start.’ He indicated that when it comes down
to it essentially provisions, family, good friends and the scriptures is all that
is needed to foster a successful beginning, using Lehi’s journey and the
pioneers as examples. He concluded with a quote from President Monson’s April
2008 General Conference address. ‘Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in
the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us
will run out of tomorrows.’ Between talks we had our rest hymn, which is pretty
much a part of EVERY Sunday – not sure if it’s to fill in the time or because
it’s the tradition. Observation: I have never noticed the hymns to drag in any
church services that I’ve attended in England – if anything, they’re a little
too fast. A coincidence from place to place?
Next
to speak was Brother Paul Dadds, graphic designer and our gospel doctrine instructor.
(I could gladly listen to him expound for any number of hours a day – always
interesting and stimulating. I like the way he puts his thoughts and phrases
together – very thoughtful.) His topic was ‘legacy’: what legacy will we leave behind? what will
be remembered of you when you leave this mortal life? will it be found worthy?
He shared the characteristics of genius – worth considering. They tend to 1)
ask questions, 2) be independent thinkers, 3) be sensation oriented – and take
the time to experience them, 4) think in terms of ‘smokiness,’ as opposed to
black and white, 5) combine art and science in their thinking, 6) have balance
between body and mind, and 7) make connections – for example, instead of
resorting to criticism they strive to understand where others are coming from.
(From a quote he shared, ‘I have learned a lot about people by observing how
they respond to a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.’ Hahah
- very clever.)
A somber
reflection from Sunday School: we live in a society where we are more
worried about upsetting other people than we are about upsetting God.
To create a little more intimacy for us sisters in Relief
Society, the presidency pulled the chairs together in a semi-circle– there were
approximately 15 of us. Perfect idea! Our next Enrichment Meeting will be held
February 13th – among the presentations one will consider ‘the
bitter,’ and the other ‘the sweet.’ I can easily guess what the second is but
as for the first, it remains to be seen! A thought from the lesson: the key to learning
is questioning. Sat by the Sisters today and got to
know them a little better: Sister Wood is from Chorley – she said she just had
to walk across the road when she went to report to the British MTC, and when I
asked Sister Boman where she was from, our discussion led us to the conclusion that, if anything, she
was an American military gypsy brat. She will return to BYU for Spring Semester to continue her
studies in the field of communication disorders.
After our formal meetings, we had the first of
monthly ‘munch and mingles.’ If an activity ever met its reason for being, this
one surely did. We all love to munch, and in the meantime, a
plenty lot of bond-building also took place. I was able to familiarize myself
with a lot more persons in our branch and am feeling very comfortable. (Question: what is
the difference between the sociality I experience in Provo compared to what I
have felt in every unit I have been a
part of in this foreign clime? Because I have experienced a definite marked difference.)
A quote from President Lorenzo Snow, in the first chapter of the 2013 course of study from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, is a perfect note to end on, ‘Let us continue, brothers and sisters, to work in the name of the Lord our God; gathering wisdom and intelligence day by day, that every circumstance which transpires may minister to our good and increase our faith and intelligence.‘ (My sentiments exactly!)
A quote from President Lorenzo Snow, in the first chapter of the 2013 course of study from Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, is a perfect note to end on, ‘Let us continue, brothers and sisters, to work in the name of the Lord our God; gathering wisdom and intelligence day by day, that every circumstance which transpires may minister to our good and increase our faith and intelligence.‘ (My sentiments exactly!)
a sister with the Sisters ('feed the Sister missionaries in your home' turned out to be 'come dine with us at Shelley's Restaurant.' The Richmoor Hotel .)
