Unexpected Sunday

I have been nervous about today all week long. I knew I had back to back meetings and ward visits all planned out. I knew if I stayed somewhere too long I would be way off schedule for the rest of the day. However, today didn't even go close to what I had planned.

For months the choir director in my ward has begged me to join the choir. She left me a voicemail last night giving me the exact time and place for practice this morning. I knew I had ward council right before so I could probably swing it, but I would have to leave early to play prelude for Relief Society. I showed up and immediately was handed the sheet music, which, to my surprise was in German. I looked at her as if she was crazy and thought I was not my wonderful sister-in-law. She then informed me that the girl she had planned to sing a solo wasn't feeling well and oh by the way KT you will be singing the solo. She then said "by the way, you have no choice." I said I do not speak German...you have the wrong KT...she lives in Wyoming! I also mentioned to her that she hadn't even heard me sing ever. I may be horrible. She didn't seem to care. She went over the German with me. We were singing Hymn 264 "Hark, All Ye Nations." I started to really get nervous as no one else was willing to step up to the plate. The choir director would have, but she barely could speak. I then realized I had 5 mins. to even practice. Went through it once and couldn't stop laughing at myself, then went and did my calling in Relief Society, and then taught the Gospel Doctrine lesson. Really, I had no time. As I walked into Sacrament all I was thinking about was the lesson I just taught about Joshua. I decided all I could do was "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord they God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." I couldn't believe that when I sang I wasn't nervous at all. It all worked out in the end. The best part was looking at the German speakers in my ward and watch the tears flow. At first I thought maybe I'm slaughtering the German, but realized afterwards it was the sweet memories returning.

Another happening...upon my arrival of Relief Society a sister handed me a envelope. I was so rushed I just thanked her and didn't open it until much later. Inside this envelope I found $10. I didn't realize what it was for until I found her sweet note inside. She knew that I had been involved in a volunteer organization to help kids struggling with child abuse. She was donating to that cause. It melted me. She barely has anything to live on, but yet she was willing to support this cause.

Then it came time for ward visits. Oh, how sometimes this can be so hard. Especially after a couple of months of no success. This young man I visit frequently tells me everytime he sees me, "you're wasting your time." Not very comforting to start a conversation like this. He has dread locks about to his waist and always as soon as I walk in the door grabs his guitar, runs to the fridge and grabs a beer, and then he will say "ok go ahead and waste your time." After months of this you would think I would give up, but something inside of me won't stop. Today was no exception to his routine. He really was upset about some things in his life. He feels that everyone has let him down and ran away from him. He feels his family doesn't support him anymore since he has chosen a different path. We had a good conversation for the first time in months. He said no one cares about what I do. I told him quite the contrary. I care, Heavenly Father cares, Bishop cares, etc. His response, "I don't believe in God." My response, "He believes in you." Then reflecting on what he was saying I realized another scripture in Joshua would help him: "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all they days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Then we talked about another scripture in Joshua 24 the famous choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. There probably was about a 10 minute window of silence. I could see that tears were streaming down his face and all he said was "you really believe he cares don't you?" I was able to bear testimony to him for the first time ever. It was such a rewarding visit. Who knows if he will ever choose to come back, but I know he felt something.

All in all it was quite a remarkable day.