Sunday Snippet

"Man cannot raise himself to higher things through what he would like to accomplish, but by what he endeavors to accomplish."
 - Elder Glancy

Faith is seldom Comfortable.

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At the end of today's fast-and-testimony meeting the bishop announced the closing hymn, then looked over to find the pianist looking back at him with a little confusion and panic as the chorister was missing. (Poof. Gone. Slipped out at some point, and had not slipped back in!) The bishop, having had some musical training, picked up a hymnbook and rather sheepishly moved over to "lead" the music. (He was waving his arm - sheepishly, mind - to the music, and got the right time signature by the second measure, but I wouldn't actually say he was conducting anything.) Just before the end of the first verse, the chorister (sweet, loopy Jean) walked back in; stepped up to the stand and took a spot next to the bishop, looked up at him looming over her (tall - short), and started conducting right along with him. I thought I heard a faint choking noise behind me. The bishop, noticing Jean, rather awkwardly moved back to his seat a couple of measures into the second verse. Just as Jean really got into the swing of things, the music stand in front of her inexplicably began sinking (the bishop had been holding his hymnbook in his other hand) and she immediately stopped conducting and tried to fix it. I heard the choking sound again.

By the end of the two-verse hymn Jean was hunched over a very low music stand, the bishop had checked out, and I couldn't look at either of them because I was nearly in tears trying to keep from laughing. As Jean sat down I glanced back (it was safer than looking forward) and found the Relief Society President looking at me - both of us cracked up and fought to smother our giggles (once again, she sounded like she was choking) before the closing prayer.

I love my ward.




ETA: Just came across this post by Scott Adams. Fascinating. Such interesting commentary on communication, clarity of intent, and just how much credit people are willing (or unwilling) to give each other.