Today: Only good things happened!
This morning we had a delightful scripture study with a sweet sister (member) we've missed for three weeks. She had to go away to help her daughter take care of a severely handicapped child. Seeing her made up for a the last couple weeks of no shows for teaching. Our spirits lifted out of the effects of those disappointments that were somehow magnified by drenching rain, dark clouds, and heavy winds that persisted most of the week. Now, the sun is out in more ways than one.
We had another scripture study with members in the early afternoon and his non-member parents were there. They wanted to know about how Joseph Smith fits in with the Book of Mormon. THAT was a golden opportunity! I must explain that we had met this couple before when we had dinner at their son's home (the son is our ward missionary who is married to the aunt of Rebecca, the little girl I told you about they are fighting to adopt). We previously had spoken of family history as we related to them we have family from England, Scotland, and Ireland. His mother is from Scotland and we found out she has my grandmother's maiden name--Blair, and my mother's maiden name--Bean, in her direct line! Elder Blain says we look related. Wouldn't that be incredible to find out we are?
This lovely woman was moved to share a song with us. She stood up without accompaniment and sang in a pure, sweet voice, "There's a Sweet, Sweet Holy Spirit." Amazing. This experience will go down as one of those highlights on a mission that is not forgotten. We consider a song sung for us as one of the most special gifts someone can give. We remember a poignant moment in Georgia when a newly graduated Army 2nd Lt. sang for us, "The Road Not Taken." He stood under a tree, a proud soldier in uniform, while we sat on a bench with tears running down our cheeks. He planned that especially because Elder Blain had told him his favorite poem was, "The Road Not Taken," by Robert Frost. We cannot put into words how both these songs affected us because of the setting in which they were sung and the spirit that was present with the singing of them.
After this exceptionally uplifting appointment (I know it was a blessing to comfort and keep us going), we moved on to a French party for children being hosted by a beautiful French woman (oh, la la!) who is a returned missionary and now lives in Stoke Ward. She dressed in the French flag colors (red, white, and blue) and lead the children in song and dance, along with lessons French words and the different sounds a rooster makes in French (co-co-di, co-co-da), English cock-a-doodle-doo), and Spanish (quiquiriqui kikirik). Then, they had lots of more fun teaching "The Rooster's Dead" song to everyone and dancing the movements.
Here you see represented some of the wonderful diversity and different cultures in England, along with more beautiful sisters and children.
These fun sisters are doing the dead rooster dance. The one on the left is from Spain (single sister; counselor in Young Women's), and the one on the right is from Mauritius (returned missionary, married with teens and young twins; counselor in Relief Society). These sisters contribute much to the missionary and fellowshipping efforts in the wards--and they feed the missionaries often and well.
Upon arriving home, it only took an hour to arrange rides for our less active family and our investigator. We were thrilled to find a willing driver after our regular volunteer transporter told us he was out of town this weekend.
Bring the day of rest on! We are ready for it!
There's a Sweet, Sweet Holy Spirit
There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,
And I know it's the spirit of the Lord.
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know that its the presence of the Lord.
Sweet Holy Spirit,
Sweet heavenly dove,
Stay right here with us
Filling us with your love.
And for these blessings,
We lift our hearts in praise.
Without a doubt, we'll know that we have been revived,
When we shall leave this place.
