Our Temple President and Matron spoke today in Sacrament meeting. They are a dynamic couple and gave some very inspiring messages. I understood every word Sister Williams said...it was in English. She had Anna, a translator stand beside her. She gave her introduction and testimony in Danish. Otherwise she spoke one or two sentences at a time and Anna followed with it in Danish.
We have been geared up for The Test tomorrow, but found out this evening that it will be on Tuesday morning instead. One more day to fuss about it. Then it will be over and safely tucked in the past and all my worrying will be over (with any luck).
One family was all sick today....they have 3 teenagers and 3 Primary-aged children. That meant we had no young women, no young men, and only 2 children in Primary. Plus we were missing a few adults. I looked around in Sacrament Meeting and thought with a start, "There are more Americans here than Danes!" I don't think that was quite the case...but almost. Three senior couples, two senior sisters, 2 young elders and the Temple President and Matron. That is 12, and I don't believe that we had more than 18 regular members of the branch. It is small, but the Stake Presidency has faith that we can make it grow. The members of the branch are such stalwarts and so good. The little church building has been there for many many years and so we are nurturing it.
It is interesting when I consider how every ward in Gilbert seems to be bursting at the seams....with gigantic Primary programs. I am not sure there are too many wards out where we live that don't have multiple nurseries. Sacrament meetings are often difficult to hear because of all of the babies and toddlers that have not yet learned to sit quietly.
In our branch here, we have one three-year-old who makes little noise because he has so many adults around who love him and are happy to entertain him quietly. Other than him, there are two little girls about 8 and 9 years old, and a 10 year-old boy.
But despite the age dynamics and the language, our meetings are much the same as any meeting anywhere in the world. We partake of the Sacrament, we sing the hymns of Zion, we hear inspiring messages and we pray. We hear the announcements of upcoming firesides, temple nights, relief society meetings and food storage.
Relief Society is very recognizable...tablecloth, flowers, encouragement to get visiting teaching done, invitations to help each other with needs, womens' voices blending in song.
It is a good place to be on a Sunday!
Our Primary and Nursery are small - as we are in an area with older homes & families. Our YW & YM is pretty small as well - but nothing like your little branch. We just hope and pray that the "less active" members will remember why they were baptized and come back to strengthen their families & and church. We are all on that ladder of progression - leaning, growing and climbing. Places like Jamaica have even more difficulties than in the developed countries - but the Church is TRUE - no matter where we are. Isn't it great? You are doing a wonderful work for the Lord. L&P
ReplyDeleteYes, it is true!
ReplyDeleteBless you dear friend.