Going To Church

On Sunday morning we were getting ready and I asked Eva what I could do to help.  They always say “nothing, you are our guests”.  (BTW I just keep doing the dishes anyway…..even though they tell me no).  They are the amazing hosts.  After asking again, I suggested maybe I could help do the girls hair.  Mia was excited when I told her I could put in a braid.  So after doing a cute little up-do and finding a flower I thought we were ready to go.  But then I realized Janna was upset.  I asked about what….she wanted her hair done too!  NO PROBLEMO!  I quickly found something for Janna’s hair and we were ready to go.  We walked to the car and headed to church.  We were running a little late and poor Eva was stressed because she said we wouldn't be able to find parking.  OK…..she wasn't kidding!  I said, no worries, I’m here, just drop us off, we’ll go in and you can find a place to park and then join us.  We got there just in time.  David was speaking and so my David went early with him to save seats.  This particular ward met in the chapel just adjacent to the temple.  It was a lovely sacrament meeting.  I didn’t understand much, but really loved hearing them sing the hymns.  Because I knew what the words should be, I could pick out a few words.  I learned how to pronounce a few more words while we sang and then just hummed along when I couldn’t figure it out.  An area seventy also spoke during the meeting and chatted with David afterwards.  He asked him why he didn’t speak any German.  David’s reply was “habla espanol?”  He just paused, said ok and then decided to speak to him in English.  

We met the two sets of elders for the ward and had a good time chatting and asking questions.  Elder Emery is the “famous” elder from Lone Peak BB team!  He had only been there 3 days.  When I realized who he was, I knew why he looked familiar to me.  He was happiest out of the bunch to have an English conversation with someone. 

After sacrament meeting, they divided the chapel into three sections for the other meetings.  The kids were all settled downstairs for primary and Sunday school started.  I followed along in my manual and scriptures whenever they quoted or read something, and David interpreted some of the comments so I could follow along. 

Relief society had a wonderful feeling to it, and it just felt like home, even in such different surroundings.  One of the brethren brought in a tiny table that they carefully arranged a little lace tablecloth on and placed a small vase of fresh flowers in the center.  How amazing is it that the sisters in the gospel do things so beautiful wherever they are, with whatever they have.  It wasn't grand or glorious but a genuine gesture of making something special and beautiful for a Relief Society meeting.  They sung As Sisters In Zion and I couldn't keep the tears from flowing down my cheeks.  It was beautiful!  The sister who taught the lesson glowed with the spirit and I could have stood up and testified that what she said was true even though I didn't have a clue what she had said.  I was surprised more than once that I was feeling teary, but then realized I was feeling the spirit, but didn't know what they were talking about.  I guess it speaks in any language.  It was just strange to not know what I was actually crying for?  Maybe others who have been in different countries have experienced this before......but it was a first for me. 

After church we walked the temple grounds with the kids and took some pictures.  On the way home we took an unplanned tour after getting slightly lost.  It was actually quite fun!