All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience

I realize that Joseph Smith received the revelation containing these words when he was in Liberty Jail, experiencing one of the darkest times of his life.  I have been thinking of them this week in an entirely different light, about how my life’s experiences have prepared me to do what is required on this mission.  I suppose that was God’s plan in the first place.

I have been so glad that I accepted callings—even the ones I felt totally unqualified for.  It was a frightening thing to be the gospel doctrine teacher, but those years of study and preparation gave me a background in the scriptures that is invaluable in teaching seminary and Institute classes.  Sometimes, if I pray and try really hard, I can actually retrieve some of that information from my old brain.  Every calling I have ever had taught me something new and prepared me for future assignments. 

I’ve been grateful for my experiences as a mother—even the ones I totally blew.  As these young adults speak to me of their homes and families (some of them have come from very difficult circumstances), I am a better listener and sometimes I can even offer some counsel and advice.  I feel for them, and I feel for their parents.  My children have been my best instructors in this course called “Life”.

I’m appreciative of parents who encouraged me to develop my talents and get an education.  It seems that I’m using all those education classes, and all the money spent on those degrees did not go to waste after all. I’m grateful for every class I took (well maybe not physics), every bit of research I did, and every paper I ever wrote.  If I didn’t learn something about the subject, I at least learned something about the process of learning.

It was a good thing that I accompanied so many choirs and soaked in the knowledge of so many wonderful choir directors.  From Eugene Tueller at Logan High, to Roger Hale, Margo Wilson, and Clothield Rogers, I have spent many, many hours on a piano bench listening to directors get wonderful things from non-professional choirs.  I can mimic what I have watched them do.

I was smart to take organ lessons and to go with Mary Kate to her piano lessons, so that I could observe Beverly Merrill use the skills she has honed to perfection.  I think about her every week as I teach these beautiful little piano students.  (By the way, the keyboards came from Salt Lake today.  My students in Ashburton are going to have something to practice on.  I feel so blessed to belong to a church like this; I just called the music department, told them what I needed, and I got three keyboards in a week.)  

All of my challenges have taught me how to seek guidance from the Spirit—something that is essential every day on a mission.  The chance to try that process over and over has taught me that it really does work and helped me to recognize the Spirit when it comes. 

I thought that living by Felisi Iosefa for a few years in Bountiful would have helped me prepare to attend the Wainoni Ward this past Sunday.  Surely I would be able to understand something in Samoan.  Nope, not a word.

This week we attended the funeral for President Johnston.  His little Ashburton Branch sang their hearts out, and the Relief Society sisters fed all the four or five hundred people that attended. 

We had the kick-off social for Institute.  University starts again in a week.  We had quite a crowd and I taught my first class—Presidents of the Church.  Margaret asked me to make cinnamon rolls for 60.  Thanks Mom and Grandma for teaching me how to make bread with just my hands for mixing. 

Ryan, Abby, Patty, and Rigel

Trevor and Brodie

There is something so energizing and fun about being with these Young Single Adults. 

I know that people back home love seeing the beautiful sights of New Zealand.  I can’t let them down, so this week I’m posting a picture of what I think is the most beautiful thing in this country…

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY JOHNNY!!!!!