Great Teachers

We saw a lot of legs today.  With the warmth of the sun shining down upon this little corner of the world, people were out in droves, bicycling, walking, jogging, strolling.  It got up to 75 degrees at the warmest, and tomorrow it will be 77.....with the thermometer hitting a whopping 83 on Saturday and 81 on Sunday.  For months now, most people have bundled up and black tights have been the favorite accessory.

That is a thing of the past....at least for about 5 days or so, until the temperatures drop back into the 60's....where I like them.  We will be doing some walking and riding the train on Saturday to get to a wedding reception.....one we are looking forward to, so I hope the predicted 83 degrees turns out to be easy to take.  The temperatures today were lovely, because of the cool breeze that blew all day.

When I first got here, I really did not like that pesky wind, but like dark rye bread, black licorice, open-faced sandwiches, riding the bus, and rain (glorious rain) - I have come to love it.  You kind of have to say "so what" about the hair, and just enjoy being out in it.

We met with our new president and his wife this morning.  The had us sit in a circle....large enough to include about 34 chairs.  They began by having a very small reception line (just the two of them) and each of us spending possibly 2 or 3 minutes with them.  They asked about our families, where we are from, where we are serving.  SK and I enjoyed spending that little bit of time with them, but it was even more fun to watch all of the young companionships talk with them.  These young missionaries are really really wonderful.

Both President O'Bryant and his wife spoke....both excellent speakers, both just a little emotional as they told us about their call, their interviews, their training with eight of the twelve apostles and the power of the messages they were taught.  I think they will be excellent leaders.

We had just enough time to get to the center when the meeting with the president was over.  At the center, I went in to assist Rachel, one of our beautiful young women make tiramisu, and SK went home.   I was excited to watch how she did it. She did a great job of teaching me.

It was fairly easy, and beautifully delicious.  Monia, my Italian friend made it for us last November, and I loved it.   Monia was kind enough to make it without coffee or alcohol.  Rachel made it without those things too, but instead of hot chocolate, she used Caro.....a chocolate-like powder that tastes like coffee smells.

When she served it after Institute class, everyone    - including SK - loved it.  It disappeared in no time.  I think in truth, that SK may have helped a LOT with that disappearing process.

I had a wonderful time talking to Louise.  She was our co-chairman last year at this time.  She left to go to BYU.  She is dynamic and bright and loves life, and is going places for sure.  She is currently teaching Danish at the MTC center.

I spent some time talking to Helene, our co-chairman right now, whom I adore.  And I spent some time talking to another YSA and Jens, our Seminaries and Institutes Director.

We had an interesting discussion....about trials, and how some people have the resiliance to endure, while others just seems to give up.  "What can we do?" he asked.  I think he has given it much thought.  "Why do some people make it through rough times, and soften and learn and grow from those times, and why do some not?".....was the main idea in rough.

We mulled it over....Jens talked about a key component....humility.... or being teachable, compassionate, obedient, and full of love.  How do you get humility?...he asked.  Good question.  I need to think about that.  It was a wonderful discussion.....and I want  to hear more.
As I sat listening, I thought "I won't forget that!" about so many points.....but here I am in front of the computer, and trying to remember what he said.  He is a superb teacher.

I love learning from great teachers!