More Joy in His Service

Our district meeting was held this morning....as it is every Thursday morning.  It was our third time in attendance (our Danish class precluded much of anything the days we were there).  It was also the last district meeting before transfers this coming Monday.

Have I mentioned how spiritually and emotionally mature these young missionaries are?  They take charge of the meetings, follow through the agenda, starting with an opening hymn and prayer.  We stand and repeat the 4th section of the Doctrine and Covenants in Danish. (I have memorized half, and SK has memorized the whole thing, but even reading it, I can't recite it as fast as they recite it!)  They then recite our purpose as missionaries found in "Preach My Gospel" ---in Danish.

After that comes a thoughtful message prepared by one of the eight in the district from "Preach My Gospel" and then a discussion about it.  What follows is a conversation about individuals being taught and what we as a district can do to assist.

A follow-up on our goals of last week is very beneficial, and then a new set of goals...which each one thoughtfully sets and states.  I mentioned some of them from last week.  This week some of them were: 
To find ways to bear a short testimony more often.
To use the manual "Preach My Gospel" more, especially just before teaching someone.

Then we were asked if there was someting in each of our lives that the district could pray for....some of those things were:
"Learn to love the people in the new area I will be in next week."
"That I will have divine help to enjoy life in all of the situations to come." (He will be leaving for home in the States next week after two years here.)
"Patience"
"Strength"

We stood and sang the standard closing song "Called to Serve."  I know I have said this over and over but it is such a thrill to be in their midst as they sing out.  Three of the young elders will be transferred Monday and I don't know how that will impact our singing.  How often do you get 6 young men who all sing exceptionally well in one district?

They had a district activity planned for this evening.  They were going to a park to barbecue and play frisbee or whatever.  We can never go to those, but I made cinnamon rolls for them as my contribution to their meal.  Their reaction was worth any effort I went to.  They seemed to love them, and devoured them before they left the church!

I am typing this from the center.  It is early....6:30 p.m. but since Institute was cancelled, I thought it might be an early night.  We are here for the missionaries...we have two sisters here teaching a lesson to a young woman who will probably be baptized within the next couple of months.  We are also here in case anyone wants to come in and relax or play CRUD or work on homework or whatever.  So far, no one has come in.

As I sit here next to the open window patches of light and shadow play across the desk.  The sun is high in the sky yet....it is clear and crisp outside...the brilliant afternoon sunlight is bouncing  off the Spring-green leaves in the trees. I can hear them rustle as the breeze whispers through.  I hear the murmur of women's voices as the sisters teach.  SK is reading on the couch in the main room. 

I wish I could bottle this moment up, and at some future moment take it out and savor it again and again.