Monday, July 28, 2008

Say

This weekend was good,
I went to the Farmers Market for more tomatoes, and delicious Basil Focaccia Bread.
I then spent the morning sewing some pillows for our couch.
(Pictures to come on next post)
They turned out so well, and I am in fact very proud of myself
due to my naive sewing skills.
My mom swelled with pride as her daughter that once hated sewing,
has now become addicted.
I feel like a whole new world of crafts has been opened up to me.


We spent the day with family,
My handsome brother Jon arrived home from Kansas,
So we ordered pizza, talked, and played Legos (yes, all of us!)
It is so nice to have everyone here, even if it is just for a few days.


I was sitting in the car on the way home from church yesterday.
Adam and I received a new church calling,
So we now attend a Spanish Ward in Orem.
I do not speak Spanish, I took three semesters at BYU and
I was in a Spanish ward while living in London (a little ironic)
but because of the lapse of time, and lack of use,
my Spanish Skills have dwindled.
Needless to say, our first Sunday there went well, the people were so warm and loving,
and it was nice to have a husband who
so willingly translated the talks for me,
and let everyone know that my lack of response
was not due to rudeness,
but ignorance.


As we were driving home from church with
"Sounds of the Sabbath" playing gently from our radio,
the song "I Am A Child of God" came on.
Usually when I hear this song I am filled with nostalgic memories of childhood,
and singing time in Primary.
I sing along blankly, not paying attention to the words or their meanings.
But today it was like I was hearing the song for the first time.
Maybe it was because I was feeling very dependent on the Lord this weekend,
as I stressed and worried about attending the Spanish ward.
Or maybe because it was time for one of the Lord's gentle reminders.

As the song continued, tears began to fall as I was overcome with gratitude.
I, me, one person in a world full of a billion people,
am a child of God.
Heavenly Father knows me by name, and cares about me.
As the song ended I was so overcome with gratitude for this knowledge.
It is so powerful and comforting to know
that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me.
A Heavenly Father that watches over me, listens to me when I pray
and values the fears and concerns that I have.

There are times to often to count, when I take the Gospel for granted.
Too many days where reading my scriptures
falls to the bottom of the list.
This song brought to my attention (again)
what a great treasure it is,to know where I came from
and to know what lies ahead.
I am go grateful for the reminders we receive every so often,
that let us know that He is watching over us,
and to remind us of the great knowledge that so many of us have,
a knowledge that is so easy to take for granted.

8 comments:

cat+tadd=sam said...

Thank you for this Jess! Like you, I need reminders here and there of how blessed we truly are! And way to go with attending a Spanish ward!

Ana Steinagel said...

AMEN. Jess, you're too cute. and I think it's wonderful that you are going to a Spanish speaking ward.

Crystal said...

Jess, I'm down for motivation, I know I'll need it. I'm still fat and slow, but I know despite all of that, you still love me. I wish we lived closer so we could workout together but we can at least keep tabs on the others progress.

Erin said...

I love that you're into sewing! that's something I wish I had more motivation/talent for. Maybe I just need to do it.

And I love that you go to a Spanish ward! We're ward missionaries in our ward, and part of that is teaching English at the church once a week, and everyone who comes in from Mexico, and I just love them so much! Only one of them is a member, but we're working on the others, and they are just so wonderful.

The Red Crew said...

I was in a spanish branch in London too! That's so funny. I totally feel your pain and inadequacy...eric and I are involved in the spanish branch out here in Portland, and i totally freeze everytime i'm supposed to communicate in espanol. It's so annoying! But i'm sure you are far more experienced and advanced in the language and it will come back quickly.
Sorry so long! Hope you guys are doing well.

The Red Crew said...

I forgot to ask what the name of your branch was in London. I was in the Peckham branch.

Ashley Thalman said...

that was so fun to have you peek your head around my prosper corner and say hello. i am so glad to meet you (again).

Kathleen said...

Woa Woa Woa! Back up this truck. Somehow I totally missed the fact that you were not in Idaho. What? (Shows how in the loop this momma is) Ok I am coming to see you.