Just Doing My Job

If I hadn't felt the Christmas spirit before today, (and I have) it would have come in a torrent.  We left early for Church so the choir could practice.  We got there at 8:30 and Church starts at 10.  I took plenty of things with me to read and write, but as it turned out I never opened a book or clicked my pen.

We have a new member of the ward who was baptized last month.  He is from China and has a beautiful testimony of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice.  He is a dear man.  When he was baptized, his sister and his niece were at the Church.  They are not members of the Church and I believe they are mostly unfamiliar with it. They live up north in Denmark, a fair ways from here and had taken the train to get here.  I was able to visit with his sister in my broken Danish and she spoke a little English and we got along fine.  I also spent some time with her daughter Lily, who speaks flawless English, so we really got along well!  She is fifteen and told me she plays the piano.

Several minutes later,she sat down at the piano and began playing a very complicated classical piece. We were all astonished.  Not one to let a golden opportunity get by, Sister Hansen (who is very musical and plays the piano beautifully) asked Lily if she would consider playing for our choir's Christmas concert.  Lily said yes!

Before they left that day, I hugged them both and said goodbye.  They both seemed a little surprised, and I came home worried about their reaction.  The Danes I know here are all huggers, and so I assumed that anyone who has been here any length of time would have gotten used to hugging.  I prayed that they would not be offended.  And I worried on and off.

Lily was unable to get to any of the practices since then until today.  I am unsure what time they would have had to leave their home to get to the Church, but they were there when I arrived.  I was so happy to see them and visited with them a little bit and then went in to the chapel to listen to the practice.  Lily and her mother came and sat by me...and once again I carried on a very delightful conversation with the mother....nobody else probably would have understood us....but we understood each other!

The practice began and Lily was outstanding as our pianist.  We normally have around 40 people in the congregation, but today 15 were in the choir, and we had nearly 45 in the congregation!  One of the ladies who came was a lady I had visited with in the town square that very cold day last week.  She seemed to enjoy it.  Sacrament meeting was so beautiful as our little choir sang from their hearts.  The Christmas story was read and three of our five Primary children gave talks about what Christmas is.  My heart swelled with love for the dear people in our branch.

Before the sacrament was blessed and passed, I explained to Lily's mom what it symbolizes and told her that she could partake if she was comfortable...or not.  Whatever she felt would be fine.  When the sacrament came around, I took a piece of bread and passed it to her, but her brother (the one just baptized) reached across her to take the tray at just the moment that she looked like she would take a piece.  So when he passed it back, I held it for her and she took a bit of bread and then later water.

When the meeting was over I thanked Lily and thanked her mother for bringing her.  Her mother (I couldn't pronounce her name, much less spell it) and I visited some more and as we were about to part put her hand over her heart and said "I am so happy."  I did the same.  Then she hugged me.  That made ME so happy!

After all the meetings were over, we went to our handsome fairytale couple's house to celebrate....I am unsure what....but it was a great celebration.  There must have been about 30 people there and as usual, they served a feast!  I am utterly baffled how they do all they do and still manage to decorate beautifully and serve food made from scratch.  They don't go down to Costco and pick up several readymade dinners...they make everything themselves.  It was awesome.

We came home and relaxed, and read.  I am trying to finish the Book of Mormon by the year's end.  The missionaries challenged Elijah from Ivory Coast (he has been a member about 5 months to read it by December 31....and I asked if could do it too.  I only have 25 pages left and should be able to finish it easily.  I like to read it like that....it stays with me better, and its messages are so powerful.

Lea, one of our YSAs....and according to her our favorite because we have a daughter by the same name (and truly she is one of our favorites) invited us to her ward choir concert this evening.  It was at the stake center, which is about a half hour by car....much longer by bus or train.  We got there a few minutes early and saw that several of our YSAs were singing in the choir including Elijah.  I reported on my reading.

From the moment that choir concert started I was enthralled with the music.  The leader is a music teacher somewhere and she rivals Miss Schultz.  Every eye was on her, every voice controlled and every note seemed perfect.  They tackled some very complicated pieces that were both delightful and inspiring.  One great piece started with Pachelbell's Canon as accompaniement and launched into a very familiar Christmas carol.  All in the same song were several classical pieces that were wonderful.

 In between choir songs was a 12-woman group who sang...and they were amazing.  The choir director was one of the 12.  There was a pianist who has played for Prince William (I think that is a Danish prince) and I can see why.  There were two teen pianists who played solos and a vocal soloist. The choir had about 50 in it.  This is a WARD choir.  I can't believe one ward has all that talent.  They don't have a Melissa Taylor or a Melissa Solomon, but they are awesome.

I have done my job admirably today.  I decided long ago, that people like these choirs and my sweet sister Judy who have musical ability to spare have one very important need -- to share.  And for that, they need an audience.  That's me!