Always a Silver Lining

Thursdays are always....and I mean always fraught with such uncertainty.

But the morning was very good.  We had a spectacular thunder and lightening, rain and hail storm.  Our windows were open and we sat and watched and listened....utterly enchanted.

Our district meeting was held earlier...at 9:30, which is much better for us because then it gives us the rest of the day to prepare for Institute/Dinner.  I so enjoy those meetings and always come away inspired to do better. 

The focus this month is language acquisition.  We had a mini-lesson from one of the sisters about Danish.  We had an extended discussion about how to set goals that will help us learn faster and better.  We set a few goals as a district, which if followed should help us all use the language a little more effectively.

I led a brief discussion from our handbook, and was touched by their heart-felt responses.  They express their faith and their willingness to serve with such ease.

The remainder of the day was leisurely.  We went home where I did some laundry and cleaning, and then headed for the center where I made potato dill soup.  We had pasta salad left over from Monday and put that out too.  I made a death by chocolate cake and frosted it.  We generally eat around 8:30, so at 8 I began making grilled cheese sandwiches on my new little griddle which worked beautifully.  Six sandwiches at a time!!!!  It took longer than normal because I made them with cheese on the inside and a thin layer of cheese on the outside, which crisped up and made the sandwich crunchy.  Yum.

We thought there would be fewer than usual because of summer break, end of exams, Especially For Youth (which will take a good number of them as counselors all next week), and a lot of rain today.  But I think we had over 35.  But as usual, a couple of hours before dinner was to be served, I was fretting about having enough, not having enough, having it taste good etc.  Ah....what a stress!  But it ALWAYS works out.  Wish I could remember that.

Telfords were here tonight, and I think once again we owe our high numbers to their presence.  They are so gracious and kind and have such a lovely rapport with the YSAs.

I had a long talk with a young man that left me inspired.  He served a mission a couple of years ago, and suffered terribly with serious back pain.  The doctors examined him and did tests.  In the meantime, he was in an area that is not known for readily accepting the gospel.  To top it off, he was paired with a missionary who was a WORKER....who believed in jumping out of bed when the alarm sounded and working until it was time to fall in bed at night.

Daniel, our YSA prayed and pleaded....he was frustrated and angry that the pain was with him every step of the way.  But throughout it all, he knew he had to work and do what he had gone out on the mission to do.  And so that is what he did, day after day.  He worked

After returning home, he was able to find a job that has turned into a stepping stone in a career that should be very rewarding.  At some point upon returning home, his pain left!  Doctors here looked at the very same mri's that the ones in the mission looked at and could see nothing wrong.

Daniel studied them as well, and could not see the same problem the doctors in the mission field had found there.  It truly was a miracle.  He expressed profound gratitude for that sweet blessing, and then he said that he understands now why everything worked out the way it did.  He said that he learned on his mission what he is capable of, and learned that he can push himself harder than he had ever imagined....and that he is a worker. 

It was one of those rare moments when I felt I was standing in the presence of greatness.  Yet he told me of his experiences with an unassuming humility. 

The center here is a gold mine.  There are so many strong young people who have incredible faith.  Each time I have the opportunity to get to know one of  a little better, I come away thinking the Church is going to be in good hands.  No matter the uncertainty and stress of the meal, on Thursdays I come away inspired and lifted.