Last Monday some great friends (Derrick, Becca, and Audrey!) left New Hampshire for a new adventure in Georgia. I have been thinking about them a lot the past couple of days--wondering where their Budget truck was traveling next...Pennsylvania? New York? Will it be hot when they get to Georgia? But my real thoughts have been about how they made such a difference in my life and the life of my family while they were here. I'm not going to try and list all the wonderful things they did while they lived here. I'd fall miserably short. There's just so much. What I do want to mention is how they touched our lives by sharing personal spiritual experiences with us. And just remind myself how important it is to share ourselves and our experiences with others!
A couple months ago Becca spoke about the Sabbath Day in sacrament meeting. She is always a great speaker but this particular talk helped me change my attitude about Sunday. She told a story about her family that I will always remember. Her father was the oldest of 10 children. They lived and worked on a farm. One Friday changed their lives forever. His father died in a tragic accident on the farm. Becca told of how his mother spent the next day--Saturday-- preparing her children for Sunday. They attended church as usual, on time, on Sunday. She told how the family felt the Spirit so strong and that Becca's father has never forgotten that.
At the end of her talk she mentioned how we should find new ways to describe our Sabbath worship--a new way other than "busy" or "chaotic" or "crazy". She mentioned that her new word was "strength" that she would find "strength" in the Sabbath. At that particular time I chose "gratitude". And you know what? It has worked!!! My Sundays are much better because of Becca!!
Just last Sunday she and Derrick spoke again. (That happens a lot in our ward!) This time she spoke of how her father made sure they stopped along the banks of the Susquehanna River. He felt it was very important to have his family visit the site where the priesthood power was restored to the earth when he took her family on a Church History tour. She told of the experience she had there. I looked down the bench at my line of little ones (Sarah- chomping on gold fish and the boys busy drawing race cars) and I felt very impressed to make sure we visit that spot sometime soon. I need all the help I can get keeping these kiddos on the straight and narrow!
Derrick (our home teacher!) an extraordinary piano/organ player came to our home one night and talked to our boys about how important it is to learn how to play the piano. His soft persuasion was perfect. That alone inspired them to keep going (and inspired me to not throw in the towel on piano lessons!) However, he finished with some seriously impressive ragtime music where not one key on the piano missed the touch of his fingers. All three boys could not stop talking about it for weeks!
I know the danger in telling cool stories about people. First of all, I did not ask for permission from Derrick and Becca so I'm sure this will make them very embarrassed. (sorry!) And I know that I run the risk of not mentioning the many others--those who are still around, those who I get to still see every day. And those who have left and have given me such amazing memories and have changed my life for the better. I want to be more like all of these people and use my life experience to help others. I've made a goal to be more ready to share more and care just a little deeper.
(Hope you are safe in Georgia!!)
