So, this goes back a week... I have a child and family welfare class and we take a field trip weekly. It is pretty great. We go visit all kinds of places and get to see all kinds of people in different kinds of social work situations. Last week, we went to St. Anne's homeless shelter. I must admit, at first I thought it was a little sketchy. When I first pulled up, there were tons of cop cars and people all over the street. I was slightly terrified my car was going to get broken into or something. They took us on a tour of the facility and than we got to go and ask some of the residents questions.
They were SUPER nice people. They talked about how one of the worst thing about being homeless is how people look at them and treat them. Not all people choose that lifestyle and many are working hard to maintain better ones. At St. Anne's, they are forced to find work in order to stay there. They must go out and look for jobs in order to be given shelter and food. I felt horrible for thinking the way I did as they were talking. I also felt SO blessed that I have all the things that I do. I have more than enough to survive while those incredible people are on the bare minimum, if even that. It made me want to give them all of my stuff!! I went home and was so thankful for all I had, including the loved ones in my life. Some of those people didn't even have that.
Fast-forwarding.... We had Choralaire Sunday this last week. It's always a blessing to be part of the choir and participate in those spiritual experiences. I always have at least one "WOW-ing" moment each Choralaire Sunday. This time, it was the second meeting. Ususally, it's during "I am a child of God." Something about all of the missionaries always brings the spirit so strongly. Strangely enough, this time, I didn't get it as strong during either of the times we sang it. This time, it came from a cute lady who was sitting behind me during the second meeting. Before the meeting started, she was walking to her seat. She had a walker, and a few teeth missing. She seemed to have a disability of some sort, but was the sweetest lady ever. I started talking to her and she told me how she worked in the nursery and how she loved the little kids. When we started singing, I got to stand right in front of her and she stared at me the whole time! It was like I got to sing directly to her. . . I felt like I was there FOR her! And that she was there FOR me! I just had such a strong connection with her!
Half way through our meeting, we sang "How Firm a Foundation". As I was facing the congragation, I looked down at her and saw that she was mouthing ALL the words! She knew every single verse of the song. She was singing along with us! It melted my heart... and brought me to tears! It only brought me closer to her! Next we sang "I am a Child of God." During that song, we all stay seated so the missionaries can stand. I could hear her behind me singing loudly with us as we hummed and oooed our parts while the lady next to her told her to be quite. The cute lady didn't listen, and continued to sing, which I was estatic about! To know that she loved our music and that she knew all of the words was so impressive!
During our last song, we sang "Fairest Lord Jesus." As we sang, I attempted to pay closer attention to Brother Saunders, but as I took a quick peek down at the Lady, she was looking up at me and she said to me during the song "Beautiful!". I could hardly keep it together! It just made me SO happy! My whole goal as a Choralaire is to bring the spirit and to touch the lives of others.... I had DONE THAT! And little did this lady know, she had done the exact same to me! After the meeting I talked with her and she told me more about nursery and how the gospel is the most important thing in her life! SHE is what made Choralaire Sunday special and brought the spirit! I learned more from her that day than I could have from anyone else. She was exactly what I needed... a tender mercy from the Lord
For Choralaire Sunday, we always have a devotional and testimony meeting before we worship. Ryan and I were the musical number and a few days before I started getting sick. I was SO worried I wasn't going to be able to sing... So I prayed that I would be well enough to sing our song! A miracle happened and I got better and we sang just fine! About an hour after we sang... I got sick again. It came on SO fast and much worse this time! It just showed me that prayers really are answered... and that Heavenly Father has a sense of Humor! ;)
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| Choralaire Sunday: Melissa wanted to see if I could fit into one of the cupboards at the Church... challenge accepted! :) |
Unfortunately, when I got sick, I got REALLY sick! I got the flu and it hit me HARD! I was knocked flat in bet for 3 days, not moving an inch. But I think I needed it because it really humbled me. Sometimes we have to be brought low in order to see just how blessed we are. I realized just how incredible and selfless my parents are. Dad just had surgery and he was willing to help me despite how sick he was! Melissa brought me Lunch and came and visited me, even though I was a contagious Zombie! It was SO nice of her because I really needed the company. Natalie visited me and made me cookies. She continually called me to make sure I was ok and was truly worried! I, being the genius that I am, had also had left my bag with my scriptures, journal, and music folder at the second church we sang at during Choralaire Sunday and I was SO sick I wasn't able to go get it. It was all the way in North Ogden so I didn't quite know what to do. Both mom and dad were unable to get it until the next week. Suddenly, the thought came into my head "MATT!" Matt lives in North Ogden RIGHT by that church so I asked him to get the bag for me and he totally did! No "If's", "Ands", or "Buts".
What amazing friends I have! I feel SO blessed for a Heavenly Father who watched over me and gives me the things I need and humbles me when I need it. I feel blessed to have the people in my life who bless me and are willing to help me when I am in trouble, and I feel blessed to have the spirit with me wherever I go as long as I am doing what is right! I love this gospel. I love my friends. I love my parents. I love the LORD! :) I am one lucky girl! :)
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