Gift

Once again, Family Home Evening was low in numbers....probably because of final exams (which will continue through the end of the month) and vacations.  We only had 16 there, but it was - nevertheless a very good evening.

SK was asked to give the message a few hours before we were supposed to leave, and so he put together about a half hour lesson about one of his favorite topics....the Book of Mormon.  He gave it an interesting perspective....talking about how it is a semitic text and gave example of the ways that characterize it as such.  I think everyone enjoyed it...I certainly did.

Afterwards there was an activity, refreshments, a board game or two and then everyone quietly left, including us.

I had some lovely visits with some of the YSAs.  I spent some time with a beautiful young woman who will be getting married in the not-too-distant future.  She described her fiancee to me, and I loved what she had to say about him.  (By the way, I have met him and think he is a great guy.)  She said that he is one of the kindest people she has ever met, one who honors his priesthood, a man who is a hard worker, but one who hold family as precious and who wants a career that will allow him enough time to be with them.  He is encouraging and thoughtful, spiritual and bright.....she could have talked for much longer about his many marvelous qualities.....the glow of her face actually told the story.

What really struck me was that she never once said anything about his physical characteristics - and he is very nice looking.  It is as if his appearance is completely irrelevant.  She told me that he has been her best friend for six years, and among other things she loves about him is that he makes her want to be better than she is.

I asked her how the wedding reception plans are going, and it sounds like everything is well under control.  But she added that she loves all of her friends and it is important to her that everyone join in the celebration with her, but the most important thing to happen is that she will be sealed to her best friend, and everything else will pale in comparison to that.

The Danish word for married is "gift."  Isn't that great?  If you find the right person and marry in the proper way, it will literally be THE gift that keeps on giving....forever.

I wonder if I was anywhere near that wise when I was her age.