Sunday Snippet(s)

Last week (a week ago yesterday) was Ward Conference, and there were some good thoughts I wanted to share:

From the Stake President - The difference between being 'good' and being 'excellent' is in the ability to interpret the promptings of the Spirit, and to follow the guidance the Lord sends. We can generally be good and do good things, but when we really tune in and pay close attention to the direction the Lord sends, we can be excellent and do excellent things.

BE EXCELLENT.

(Like I was going to miss a chance to post this. Please.)

From the Stake President 2 - We must live now as they do in the Celestial Kingdom so that we will fit in when the time comes. Serve others not to get into the Kingdom, but to stay happily once you arrive.

We had a good day yesterday, as well (except for the outbreak of gangrene in my Sunday School class, but we got through it.) (Don't ask.) In Sacrament Meeting (I played - at least I was ready!) I waited for the 'push' to go up and bear my testimony... and then it occurred to me that I really didn't need to wait. I could bear my testimony whether driven to it or not, and it might be even better if I didn't wait. So I went.

The girl who spoke after me had a great way of putting things: she quoted Doctrine and Covenants 78:19 (“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”) and then added, 'Psst... I want to be glorious. Thanks, God!' She went on to say that while she was thankful for all her blessings, she was also thankful for the things that aren't so good because those are indications that the Lord trusts her to change and improve the not-so-good parts, to endure with faith, and to see it all through to something better.

And also to do Family History.

(I've got to get on that.)

And then I went home and watched Doctor Who, read my lesson for next week, and worked on my presentation for this week's seminar. Not bad.

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Sunday Snippet (and 30 Days Challenge Update)

Today in Sunday School we talked about 2 Nephi 4, and specifically focused on 'Nephi's Psalm' (verses 15-30). Nephi talks about his delight in the scriptures and the things of the Lord, then goes on immediately to bemoan his imperfections and his sorrow over his sins and mistakes. Then he moves back to listing his blessings and the wonderful things Heavenly Father had done for him. It's an interesting pattern, this moving back and forth, and the discussion generated a couple of points in particular that stuck with me. One was that gratitude is the foundation/key/essential element to happiness. When we focus on all that we have and the ways in which the Lord has blessed, protected, and looked out for us rather than on trials and difficulties (big and small), we invariably become happier. The more we practice gratitude, the happier we are. It doesn't take away the trials, but it does certainly help in the enduring of them. (It just occurred to me, as well, that practicing gratitude could be a really good way to avoid sin - if I'm constantly 'pondering in my heart' how thankful I am for the One who has set the rules, I think I'd be a lot less likely to have the time or inclination to break the rules. Huh.)

Another wonderful point was an excellent analogy that came from the discussion: a class member talked about how before departing on any flight (London to New York was the example) a pilot will file a flight plan. Upon takeoff, the plane pretty much immediately deviates from that plan. The pilot compensates to try to get the plane back on course, and often overcorrects slightly in the opposite direction. And so on, for the entirety of the flight: back and forth, one side to the other, criss-crossing the imaginary line that is the flight plan. The closer the pilot can stay to that line, the better, even though there's really no way to actually stick perfectly to the plan. The pilot constantly tries anyway. And in the end, he lands safely at the airport in New York, his intended destination. In 2 Nephi 4 Nephi describes his own small 'course deviations' that lead him slightly off the course the Lord has set, but he knows that in the end all will be well because he trusts in God, repents of his mistakes, and strives to be better. He is grateful, and happy, and reaches the right destination.

* * * * *

And then the bishop asked me to play in Sacrament Meeting about 15 seconds before starting the meeting. Honestly, I was furious - not so much at the bishop as at the usual accompanist, who had walked out the door two minutes earlier without bothering to try to get a replacement himself. To his credit, the bishop did say that it was perfectly all right if I didn't want to play for the meeting, but I knew I'd feel even guiltier about not playing than I felt stressed about the accompanying. And I decided, between trying to fumble my way through the hymns, that it was time for me to get over it. I can't change the ward, I can't make people be responsible (or even considerate), but I can alleviate my own anxiety by sucking it up, killing my own sense of self-importance, and practicing until I feel comfortable playing whatever is asked. I'd much rather (I realized) feel willing and happy to step in and help whenever needed than stew in an irritated-and-grumpy soup. After all, I'm not going to be here forever, and I have asked for help - if I can't change them, I'll just have to change me. No more guilt, much less at-the-moment stress, AND I may finally be a credit to all those years of piano lessons and Mom's creative rehearsal schedules! I'd be an idiot to let them go to waste by being snippy.

Now I just have to formulate the new goal for additional practice time into a 30-day Challenge, and it will be all kinds of official!

Speaking of, the no-chocolate is still going well, and I'm finally starting to stop thinking and talking about it. It's weird, how much of a habit lingers in the talking, even if you're not actually doing it anymore... Another month and a half until Easter - at which point I may not even want to take a break for a candy bar (or a Cadbury egg). We'll see. The journalling didn't go as well - I missed two or three days out of the first 25 or so, and then petered out at the end. I figured I'd need to start over as another 30DC, but I haven't missed it or felt any urgency to get the (good) habit set, so it may have to recycle a little way down the list. I have started a new shot at getting into a better sleeping pattern by being in bed by 11 and up by 7 at least 5 nights a week - made it last night, and then slept terribly with really weird, vivid dreams (and not fun ones; just creepy). Better luck tonight, I hope! And then I'm going to have to pick one of the more interesting 30DC's to try - I wonder where I can find a ukelele in this town...

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Sunday Snippet

Thanks, all, for commenting with support and/or suggestions on last week's dilemma - I don't feel quite so overbearing and obnoxious as I did before. I'm afraid I did run a little roughshod yesterday over the conductor and the person whose job it apparently is to pick the songs - they had their heads together about 30 seconds before the meeting was supposed to start, choosing hymns, when I walked over and told them what we'd actually be singing. I felt badly about it (I still do), but I've now put together a list of hymns I'm willing to play without notice. I've also asked the ward clerk to get us a couple of copies of the Simplified Hymns so that there will be a few more songs to choose from (thank you, Michelle!). If the RS Pres says it's OK, I'll send the list and a much shorter, simpler version of the letter to all the teachers and music people.  Hopefully this will be an option that will work for everyone!

* * * * *

Even with all that, church yesterday was really pretty awesome. It was a 'Missionary' Sacrament meeting, and all the recent converts spoke, along with a ward missionary and the sister missionaries. They were all fantastic, even the ones who've only been members a couple of months! The most recent convert, Oliver Bebb (remember that name, I wouldn't be surprised to see him as a GA someday) spoke on 'Faith' and wrote a wonderful analogy.

A man sitting in his car in a queue waiting for a train to pass notices a corner shop selling snacks. Knowing that he shouldn't leave his car in case traffic starts moving again, he gestures to a homeless man standing nearby. Waving him over, he asks the man if he will take some money, go into the shop, and bring him back a cup of soup. The homeless man agrees. He goes to the shop and does just what he was asked, returning with the soup and the change to the car. When he reaches out to hand over the items, the driver tells him to keep the soup for himself. Confused, not by the act of charity but by the way the man went about it, the homeless man asked, "Why did you make me go through all this? Why didn't you just give me the money so I could buy the soup myself?"

The driver smiled at him and said, "It was never about the soup. Today we have both tasted faith, a far more nourishing meal. I trusted you, I gave you money and you were not tempted, you had food and were not swayed. You did not break your word to me. Likewise, you felt the faith that I had in you. I placed this power in your hands and you knew that I trusted your judgement to do the right thing." The driver hugged the homeless man and drove away.

Oliver then went on to talk about how we have all tasted the sweetness of faith, but that it is not enough just to succeed and recognize the fruits of our labo(u)rs. We should also reflect on the journey itself, and ask: 'How did the experience affect me? Did it impact my character? Do I understand myself better?' God knows us, and He knows what we will do. Trials of faith are not for his benefit, but for ours. (Used with permission and paraphrased from a talk by Oliver Bebb.)

Pretty cool, eh?

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Sunday(s) Snippets

Last weekend I went to Cardiff, Wales, to visit a friend and hang out for Bonfire Night (that whole 'Guy Fawkes' thing). I have video clips of the fireworks, which were amazing, and we toured around and checked out castles, which I loved.

Church on Sunday, though, was a trip - I didn't know exactly which building the meeting was in, and there wasn't a sign... but just as I got out of the car I spotted the missionaries walking down the street. All I had to do was follow them to get to the right place! (Yes. It's also a metaphor. Good job.) The ward met in a trade school that was a lovely old converted Georgian building - Sacrament Meeting was in a beautiful hall with massive lead-paned windows and blue-and-white paneling. (It was freezing.) It's true what they say - the Welsh really do have marvelous singing voices! Even when they don't have a pianist, which they didn't when the meeting started... there was a general call for volunteers to play, and I gave in and went up to play for the Sacrament hymn. I was terrible, but the volume was down so low on the electric keyboard I don't think anyone could really hear me anyway.

It was a very nice and a very interesting testimony meeting; one of the windows was cracked open (probably at least part of the reason it was cold) and it evidently couldn't be shut because it was too high up and a tree branch had started growing through the opening. A few minutes after the testimonies started a hummingbird climbed in through the open window and then spent the rest of the meeting trying to find it's way back out - we were trying to listen, but in reality the entire congregation was fascinated watching this bird fly from window to window to try to get through the clear glass. A ward member finally walked around the room and opened all the windows he could reach, and the bird crept out - you could practically feel the collective sigh of relief!

I do like a good portcullis.

That afternoon my friend and I visited Cardiff Castle (which is beautifully overdecorated) and then went to the Millenium Centre for a singalong of 'The Messiah'. I was pretty excited about it, actually - how often can you say you sang the Messiah with a Welsh choir? Not often, that's for sure. (Unless you live in Wales and do this kind of thing a lot.) Anyway, the orchestra was on the stage, the choir (who had all paid 15 or so pounds - for charity - to sing) filled up the entire stalls section, and the audience (including me) were in the first balcony. I could just see the bass section and a few of the tenors. The soloists actually stood in the boxes to either side of the stage, which was a pretty nice staging idea. The whole thing was lovely, and at the end the conductor invited the audience to stand again and sing along as they reprised the Hallelujah Chorus. Guess I wasn't the only audience member that wanted to say they'd sung with a Welsh choir!

* * * * *

I'm starting to be afraid that I really have 'graduated' from playing the piano badly for the Primary to playing badly for the entire ward - I've been stumbling along in Relief Society, and then today the Sacrament pianist didn't show up so I was drafted. The Sacrament hymn started off so, so awfully... and the chorister still had the congregation sing through the extra two verses anyway! On the plus side, by the time we got through that last verse my playing actually sounded OK; and, at least it wasn't 'A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.' (Listen to your mother. PRACTICE THE PIANO.)

I had actually prepared to teach the 12-16-yr-olds in Sunday School for the first time - the Sunday School President hadn't known what lesson they were on, so I counted back from the end of the year and guessed. I found out upon arrival that they'd had that lesson the week before. Oy. I thought I'd be reprieved when I heard I only had one student, a teenage boy - I figured it'd be less awkward for everyone if we just went in with the adults instead, only to find that the adult Gospel Doctrine teacher hadn't shown up and the bishopbric wondered if I would mind teaching the lesson. I stood up and 'facilitated' the lesson I hadn't prepared (gotta stick to that schedule!) and it was terrific - it's amazing how fun that kind of thing can be when the whole group is pulling together! (Seriously, teachers should remember to put a little more responsibility on the class members, instead of trying to feed them information. They've got some really great stuff.)

In fact, my favorite thing of the day came when we were discussing 1 Peter 2:8 and talking about how we can be 'living stones' (it's such a great picture - are stones tempted by the vices of the world? I think not) and yet not be a stumbling stone for someone else... and a class member raised the idea that perhaps we SHOULD be 'stumbling stones of offence' for other people - that we could be so determined to be righteous and to build the kingdom that we help to create a 'stumbling stone' that the world cannot help but to stop and look at, that interrupts them in their daily pursuits and makes them acknowledge that there is something greater. The same class member later reminded us about D&C 122:9, part of the section on extreme affliction, and how the Lord is always with us. SUCH a great time in Sunday School today.

And I'm more determined than ever to practice the piano regularly.

Sunrise over Cardiff Lake and Cardiff Bay. Yes, it really was sunrise. Yes, I really was there and awake. Shut up.

(After) Sunday Snippet

Yesterday was fun - in Fast & Testimony meeting one of the dear older sisters stood up and bore her testimony of texting. She was so earnest... and it was still funny. (I liked her story better than the one the sister told about her friend having been murdered 15 years before - yes, we're 'that' ward.) For the most part though the testimonies were simple and sincere - the Church is true, Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, the Savior died for us, answers are found in the scriptures; it was quite lovely, really.

I'd been thinking about some of the changes I'm working on in my life (both personal and situational) and it occurred to me that change can be about making a goal and then working towards it as if it were already established fact. There's one in particular that seems to be working that way, and I haven't wavered from it since I made the decision - I wonder if/hope that I can treat more decisions and adaptations that way. Going to do it - it's already done - do the work. It's a little backwards, perhaps, but may just keep me from procrastinating like I do!

Primary is just falling to pieces all around us. The First Counselor was gone again, having to work again, and the Second Counselor apparently moved out of the ward and didn't show up (although the Bishop had said she'd be coming for the next three weeks). One of the teachers (who's children were scheduled to give the talk and the scripture in Sharing Time) were absent, so we were left with one teacher, the Sister missionary who keeps the Primary scraping along by the skin of her teeth, and me. Sister Fugal took the two littlest girls in to the Nursery (since we also don't have a Nursery leader) and the teacher and I dealt with the remaining 8 kids. Poor, poor ward - the Bishop's being released, a member of the bishopric just moved out, and within a month they won't have enough active Priesthood holders to function as a ward. Here's hoping (and praying!) for an influx of members into the boundaries in the next two months! (And may 2 or 3 of them play the piano, as next week is my last week, too!)

* * * * *

I actually ran out a few minutes early to catch a bus home, then got back on the train to the British Library to attend a panel discussion called 'Worlds of Wonder'. The Library currently has a big exhibit on science-fiction, and they brought in three SF writers and a TED Fellow to talk. It was fascinating. Neil Gaiman (the guy behind 'Coraline'; the book, graphic novel, and movie - also, do yourself a favor and read his "The Graveyard Book'), Peter F. Hamilton, and Kari Sperring were the authors, and Rachel Armstrong sat in for science (TED = Technology/Entertainment/Design - Rachel is building technological constructs that behave as though they're alive... now that's sci-fi!). They talked about writing, the role of science, art, living science fiction, a poop machine (it re-creates the human digestive process for you - yay?), and not knowing where we're going. Those were some very smart, and pretty funny, people.


Then I dashed down to the Globe Theatre to get in line for 'Dr. Faustus' - I had a groundling ticket and I have learned that you have to be in line early, otherwise you can't get close enough to the stage to lean on it (and trust me, when you're standing for a two-and-a-half to three-hour play, you want something to lean on). A big part of my reason for wanting to see this show (in all fangirly honesty) was that Arthur Darvill was playing Mephistopheles (the main Hench-Devil) and I really like him as Rory on the current (and just past) season of Doctor Who. Turns out he's better on the small screen than on stage, though I did like seeing him in person. (At one point his feet were about 8 inches away from my face. Leaning on the stage, remember.) I started talking with the woman standing next to me and found out that not only did she know what a dramaturg was, she was a director/writer/choreographer/performer from Vancouver who has actually WORKED with dramaturgs. Apparently, I should have gone to grad school in Canada. As a special bonus, at one point the lead 'clown' in the play was leaving and he exited by means of a ramp off the front of the stage (I was just at the corner of the ramp). As he made the turn to the ramp he 'urinated' out onto the audience (actually a little squeeze bottle attached inside his costume - I spotted it just before I ducked). It was pretty funny, actually, and certainly played up to the Globe's policy of actors interacting with audience members!

* * * * *

It's not  often that you get a texting testimony, description of a poop machine from Neil Gaiman, and peed on at the Globe all in the same day!

Sunday Snippet

Today in Sacrament Meeting the Relief Society President quoted President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

" God the Eternal Father did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny, or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval, or admiration.

No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!


For what we love determines what we seek.


What we seek determines what we think and do.


What we think and do determines who we are - and who we will become.

... Since the beginning of time, love has been the source of both the highest bliss and the heaviest burdens. At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things.

And the greatest of all good things is God."   (emphasis added)


 October 2009

Bonus - Little and Great

When people talk about seeing a world in a grain of sand, they may be on to something.

At x250 magnification, even the smallest irritations can actually be works of art.

* * * * *

In other news, and apropos of nothing, when I walked in to church today I was immediately asked to play prelude music as the accompanist had "overslept". The chorister was a little taken aback when I said "No" - I gave in (of course) and ended up playing for nearly 15 minutes while we waited for the actual pianist. She didn't show up, so I played for Sacrament meeting, rest hymn and all. It wasn't terrible (I kept up the tempo, no matter what) but it wasn't good, either. Annnnnd daily piano practice goes back on my 'to-do' list! (Kids, listen to your parents. PRACTICE THE PIANO.)




Original and other images here

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.

Sunday Snippet

This will actually be a few Sunday's worth of snippets - I've been collecting. (Also, don't forget to check out this post! Surely someone wants something awesome sent them from the UK!)

I love my new ward. From the first time I walked in (a little late - it's WAAAY out-of-the-way) the members have been friendly and welcoming, and incredibly positive and upbeat.  This is a seriously happy ward.  Teeny - I doubt that we get even a hundred people out to Sacrament meeting, and a family that moved in around the same time I did doubled the Primary with their four kids - but really cheerful, and supportive, and considerate of each other.  Someone is always walking up and introducing themselves, or just saying hello and how was your week, or hugging.  Good times.

Jan. 9, 2011 (I'm trying to get in the habit) - "Faith is always pointed towards the future." (Sacrament meeting talk.)

Sunday School - We were talking about Elisabeth and Zacharias, and what happened to Zacharias in the temple, and one of the things I realized is that Z gets a bit of a bad rap, but not quite for the right reason. After all, his response to the message ("How can my wife have a child? We're too old for that!") is really perfectly rational and logical. The thing is not his response to the Lord's message, it's his response to the situation - temple, Holy of Holies, ANGEL.  This is not typical.  I think Zacharias was responding to what he thought he knew ("too old for children") instead of really listening to and feeling what he was being told.  When the Lord speaks we have to get out of our own heads and pay attention to what He says and the Spirit confirms, and not our own experience.

Jan. 16 - "The Scriptures:  Celestial Google."

"Pride is what leads us into temptation when we know better."

Remember - we are not interested in a "fair fight" with Satan. We are interested in stacking the deck, stockpiling supplies and armaments, and prevailing from the high ground. We must not allow Satan any footholds or advantages. (You also don't have to mix your metaphors - that's just me.)

"We do not discover humility by thinking less of ourselves, we discover it by thinking less about ourselves."

- It was Ward Conference, and the pianist was home sick. I volunteered to play prelude music, and immediately realized just how rusty I was on the piano. I was then drafted to play for Relief Society, and asked if we could do "Called to Serve" because it at least sort-of applied to the topic, and I was fairly sure I could play it (due to a long-ago traumatic Seminary experience that I won't go into here).  Turns out I was almost right.  Inaccuracies aside, I did play with gusto, and this got the 65+ chorister so fired up that she started dancing along while she led.  It was HILARIOUS. (She's the sweetest, peppiest, most adorable little old lady I have ever met.  Love her.)  ((I have been practicing the piano at school all week, and even got myself a hymn book and Children's Songbook to work on - just in case.  I'm betting I'll be drafted again at some point.))

Jan. 23 - One of the speakers told a story about being in a cab, and the traffic got snarled up (as it does).  The cabbie asked if he could change the music, and (surprise!) popped in a Christian music CD.  After just a few minutes, the traffic cleared and they were able to continue.  The cabbie matter-of-factly commented on the driving situation by saying, "I changed the music and the Lord blessed me."  This led to a conversation about their respective faiths, with the cabbie giving the member the Christian CD, and the member getting his address to send him a MoTab CD.  Be an example of faith!  And take openings to share and communicate truths when they are given!

- The Relief Society President has a fantastic Scottish accent.  I can't wait until she teaches the whole lesson.

- A 90+ sister (the longest-running member of the ward - 61 years) told me to watch out for Jean (the chorister) as she was the head of the ward's "Looney Club".  I nearly busted up right there in the chapel. I love these people.

This is my current computer wallpaper - it's the Parliament Building and Big Ben from across the Thames, taken around sunset on Jan. 6.  Enjoy!

Sunday Snippet

Today was Remembrance Sunday, always the Sunday after Nov. 11, and involved one more day of wearing the paper poppy and included two minutes of silence during Sacrament Meeting. I guess there were further ceremonies and public events around London, but I’ve been out of it with a cold and didn’t think to investigate further. It occurred to me that next year there will be a first and second 11:11 on 11/11/11. Should make a lot of computer programmers happy.

I visited the Hyde Park ward today – I’ve been attending in Peckham, but I wanted to try a ward further north up in London, both because I really want to move closer to my school and because I feel really out of sync with my ward. I loved the London ward, had some great moments that were a big help to me, and got a couple of numbers of people to call about possible housing. Perfect.

- There are not many things in this world that are cuter than Primary-aged children with British accents. And the one Sunbeam who bellowed “FOLLOW THE PROPHET!” completely off-key was awesome.

- In Sunday School we were in Jeremiah, and talked about internalizing the gospel, or “writing upon our hearts.” One sister talked about memorizing scriptures to have them there for instant access – her quote was “There is power in knowing from the back of your head.” The teacher made the point that there is a difference between writing on your mind and writing on your heart, and that we shouldn’t let the mechanics take precedence over an invitation to the Spirit. One sister gave a moving illustration by talking about her “perfect” family; they had scripture study and family prayer every day, FHE every week, regular and consistent temple attendance… and yet, her parents divorced (possibly in connection with some other family trauma involving two of her siblings) and the family fell apart in spite of their “crossing all the ‘t’s’ and dotting all the ‘i’s’.” She summed it up by saying that “zealousness is not righteousness” and that we are obedient so that the Lord may change our hearts as the truth of the gospel is written upon them. The teacher asked us to think about the words the brethren use in connection with the scriptures: study, feast, immerse – never “read”. If our time with the scriptures is changing us, than we’re using them correctly.

- Musical Moment: on the Underground, hearing “Everlasting Love” played on the accordion. Maybe not as elegant as it sounds. ;-)

Counting Down

OK, I'm in.

I've got just over a month until I leave for England, to stay for a year at the minimum and hopefully at least three. The next 30 days should have some interesting updates as I get a little crazy with the remaining details.

SUNDAY SNIPPET

Big lesson for the day: Be prepared. Stop putting things off and scraping by at the last minute... I got a call at 8:30 asking if I would lead the music in Sacrament Meeting. My ward starts at nine, and I'd just gotten out of the shower. In an excess of zeal I agreed to help out, determined to get to church on time. I scrambled out of the house fifteen minutes earlier than usual, but still only a minute before the meeting was scheduled to start. I rushed in just as the counselor was announcing the opening song, and walked up on to the stand in time to open my hymnbook and start the song. Whew.

I REALLY have to get ready first, laze around reading or on the Internet later!

* * * * *

Good meetings today - the theme of Sacrament Meeting was Spiritual Priorities. The message was "Good, Better, Best": we have to stop allowing ourselves to be distracted away from the most important things, even if the other activities we choose to engage in are still good. We have more "discretionary" time than any other generation, and we will be held accountable for the uses to which we put that time. "We must not be caught up in the thick of thin things."

With about 34 days to go, I'd better take this advice to heart!

Watch out for falling turtles,

Cyd

Sunday Snippet

I realized today that I have either GOT to start taking better care of myself, or by any means possible stop wandering into such unflattering lighting. Oy.

* * * * *

Today's Sacrament Meeting was great, and I should have been taking notes but didn't. I'm just putting it out there - Terrific job on the meeting today, Universe! Keep up the good work!

Today's Sunday School class, on the other hand (coming into SARCASM FONT here) was on my favorite topic ever: Marriage. (And the object lesson was popcorn. Go figure. No, seriously - if you figure it out, let me know.) I made a comment early on, so as not to seem defensive or bitter, and then shut up as the young, earnest, well-intentioned (male) teacher proceeded to thoroughly ignore my demographic (i.e. single, defensive, and bitter).

There were definitely some interesting moments:

A class member - "Marriage laws evolved largely to protect women. Men, historically, have not been all that good at sticking with one relationship. It's like that bacon-and-eggs thing: the chicken is invested, but the pig is fully committed." I'm... pretty sure all the women in the room were just compared to pigs. Interesting.

After a rambling, off-topic comment about one class member's deceased wife (bless him), the teacher responded with: "You guys'll make it! She's up there waiting for you in the CK!" I had sudden visions of Beverly Hills: 90210 and One Tree Hill, for some reason. Super interesting.

A private comment from a friend (love her), passing along "wisdom" that had been shared with her: "Honey, I'm only married because the Lord knew I could make it on my own!" So, evidently, I'm single because the Lord already knew I could "make it" if I were married. Interestingly, I did not find this anecdote remotely comforting.

Craziness!

Hopefully, we'll get back to a little better spiritual perspective next time... meaning, I'll have to take more appropriate notes. Got it.

Nap time!

Sunday Snippet

Wow, I'm just Listy Lucy lately, aren't I?

Today's Snippet is actually courtesy of last Sunday - in Stake Conference Elder Pingree asked our Stake President to share with the entire stake a list of directions he had given that morning in the Priesthood meeting. Elder Pingree pointed out that this list counted as direct revelation for our stake, and that we REALLY OUGHT TO PAY ATTENTION. (I figure it's at least good advice for everyone else.)

President Gregory Dahl:

1 - Need to be Christlike

2 - Be honest in our work/employment

3 - Apply a spiritual filter to decisions we make: "Does it draw me closer to Christ? Does is strengthen family?"

4 - Do missionary work

5 - Continue to invite in/less-actives back to the fold

6 - Always prioritize responsibilities in the home

7 - Contemplate the blessing of line of priesthood authority

8 - Avoid temptation, avoid immorality

9 - Uphold constant standard of worthiness; temple recommend

10 - Hear the Lord through the prophets and through the Holy Ghost

We were promised that as we apply these things in our lives, we will know joy and happiness. Lists always make me a little happier, so I'm off to a good start!

A couple of other things Elder Pingree talked about:

JUST SHOW UP

- You might not have much to give, but if you're willing to give what you have the Lord will magnify it

MAKE THE SCRIPTURES LIVING SCRIPTURES IN YOUR LIFE

DON'T DO IT FOR THE ONIONS

- He talked about Henry Eyring, Sr., and how even as he was sick and weak he would go out to the Stake Farm to work in the onion fields - not to make the most efficient use of his time, or because he wanted to see obvious results from his efforts, but rather to do as he was asked to do to serve, and to learn to become a better servant.

Pretty cool.

Sunday Snippet

A good friend and I sang an arrangement of this song in church today, with her mom on piano, and her brother on clarinet. It was nothing like MoTab, of course, but it went really well. I always enjoy singing with her - I get the impression that we make each other sound even better. Someone mentioned today that our voices are "complimentary".

I also started singing again with a local choir, the Sterling Singers. They really are an excellent group, and we're putting together a 9/11 commemorative concert. You'll all want to come - it's September 11 and 12, and the music is incredible. One of the songs is based on a poem by Christina Rossetti - it's our most difficult song, and is really unusual, and will be amazing once we get it down.

Echo

Come to me in the silence of the night;
Come in the speaking silence of a dream;
Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright
As sunlight on a stream;
Come back in tears,
O memory, hope and love of finished years.

O dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter-sweet,
Whose wakening should have been in Paradise,
Where souls brim-full of love abide and meet;
Where thirsting longing eyes
Watch the slow door
That opening, letting in, lets out no more.

Yet come to me in dreams, that I may live
My very life again though cold in death;
Come back to me in dreams, that I may give
Pulse for pulse, breath for breath:
Speak low, lean low,
As long ago, my love, how long ago.

I'll put up an MP3 of the music if I can find one.

* * * * *

I was also invited to a callback tomorrow for a show I didn't actually audition for... I'd love to do it, so I'm calling the other school in England first thing in the morning to see if they have any status updates for me. At this point, I figure if I get in to this second school, I'll go. If I don't, I'll try for this show and a job here in Salt Lake, and attend the program I really want to get into at the first school next fall. (They've already accepted me for a different program, one I applied for accidentally, but the program I should have applied for is full. I'm fairly certain I could get in for next year.)

Tomorrow morning should be interesting.

Sunday Snippet

Today's church talks were about keeping the Sabbath day holy. A quote used from President Kimball:

"The Savior knew that the ox falls in the mire, and one must pull the ox from the mire when necessary. But no one deliberately puts the ox in the mire every week, or lets him get in the mire with no effort to keep him out." (The full talk is also really good, and can be found here.)

This got me thinking about grad school, and reminded me that there will definitely be things I can do to keep from having to work and study on Sunday. That whole procrastination thing really isn't going to fly, y'know? No excuses!

Photo bonus: