Saturday, April 05, 2014

              Today we are grateful beyond words for the ability of technology to bring us the live broadcast of General Conference on our laptops right in our apartment—and in our own language.  What a blessing and what a wonderful first day of Conference.  Just as food is to a hungry body, so are Conference messages in English to the parched soul of one who hears only Spanish every day.  My well is being filled.
           Sister Sierra came by this afternoon and asked me if I would accompany her while she plays the viola in next week’s recital at the Church.  We practiced ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire” at the chapel between Conference sessions and it was beautiful.  She studied music at BYU and has played with several symphonies in the U.S.  She teaches music at a school here in Tegucigalpa where all of her students own their own violas.  But as the teacher, she has to use one of the school’s because she doesn’t have her own.  It is her goal to get one and she has been saving money for that purchase.  However, she told me today that after listening to Conference, she felt that maybe it just wasn’t that important and she should concentrate on things that are really important.  She has four young children and her husband was just sustained as our ward Bishop.  She was so sweet and humble in her feelings and tears spilled onto her cheeks as we talked about our commitment as LDS women to teach and nurture our families and serve our fellowmen and to not aspire to selfish pursuits. 

          However, she has such a gift and talent from the Lord.  I think it remains a personal challenge to know exactly how to differentiate between developing and using our talents, and expanding them at the expense of time with our families and pursuing spiritual development.  I just felt bad for her resignation to just use the school’s viola, and that it wasn’t really that important for her to have her own.  If I had one, I would give it to her!  She is a great lady and her life is filled with service.

          The only sad thing about Conference week-end is that it goes by so fast.  It is half over already and we will soon be back to our same routine.  But what a blessing to receive these inspired messages.  Enjoy, Everyone.

  

Even though the area is experiencing a drought, most of the trees and plants on the temple grounds are doing well.  The trees at the top are only a few of several of this variety.  These two are doing okay and are blooing beautifully, but many of the others only have a few leaves and even fewer blooms.