Grateful for the Sunshine and the Rain

The day that Mary arrived, the weather was absolutely glorious.  The beautiful blue of the sky, the light breeze that made wearing a jacket perfect, the warmth of the sunshine, the flowers just beginning to bud out, the swan on her nest.....that and so much more - all made the day ideal.  And each succeeding day of her visit was similar.  The Mary Poppins umbrella sat dejectedly in the corner the entire week.

Case in point:  SK and Mary in front of the magnificent Frederiksborg Castle.

We took Mary to the airport this morning....the first gray day since she landed.  We took her to the check-in, got her suitcase on its way to Reno, walked her to the security line, said a tearful goodbye, watched as she disappeared around the corner, and then walked to our car ---- in the rain!

Just before leaving for the airport....we coordinated outfits!...not really, but they look like we did.

It has drizzled on and off all day, and even the day seemed to darken earlier than it should have....I guess even the weather has noticed that Mary is gone.

Our outreach committee organized a concert similar to "Music and the Spoken Word" to be presented to anyone interested.  I know David, the young man who had the original idea, and who was the guiding force behind it was hoping for a bigger turnout, but I felt that it was a success in that we had 2 investigators there and 10 missionaries and 10 YSAs....on a Saturday afternoon.

They were able to see what this program is and now they will want to come the next time and bring friends.  The idea is that it is a non-intimidating place to bring friends to just listen to some nice music and hear some uplifting words.  The program was wonderful.

We had several musical numbers...piano, guitar, and singing and combinations of all three.  Three of our newest members shared their testimonies, and I was very much touched by what they said.  I didn't have a translator, but I understood most of what they said. Emilie, who will be leaving in three months for her mission stood and expressed her love of the Lord and the gospel with such grace and ease....she will be an excellent missionary.

Elder Ogden stood and bore his testimony.  As he spoke, he struggled to keep the tears in check.  He expressed his gratitude for the Lord and His atoning sacrifice.  He told about his first week in this country seeing the Christus for the first time in the Church of Our Lady.  The statue is inscribed with the words "Come Unto Me."  The Savior stands with arms outstretched, beckoning us to come, His face gentle and kind....peaceful.  I loved Elder Ogden's message.

When our newest member Aviaja got up, she was full of emotion and had difficulty trying to express herself.  Helene, a co-chairman of the YSAs (and probably about 20 years old)  hurried out to get some tissues for Aviaja, walked to the front of the class and laid them near her.  Then, she walked around the table to where Aviaja stood, looked up at her and put her arm around Aviaja's waist, nodded to her to go on, and stood there until she had finished talking!  It was one of the sweetest things I have ever witnessed.

Helene is about 5 feet tall, blonde, and a math/science major and is very businesslike and efficient.  Aviaja is probably 6 inches taller.  It was incredibly tender to see how responsive and kind Helene was....not considering herself in the least, but just acting out of a desire to strengthen Aviaja.  Once again I learn so much from these young people.  I talk myself out of doing things like that...rationalizing all kinds of reasons not to get up with her.

We have spent the evening at home, getting ready for tomorrow.  We will have Fast Sunday because of stake conference the following week.  As I type, the window is open and I can hear people on the lake path....walking along in the dark...laughing and talking.  I can also hear the gentle sounds of rain hitting surfaces outside.  I love that sound!

The sunshine came for Mary....and I am most grateful for it, but the rain has come for me....