A Quiet Sabbath - Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Calling the remise for a ride this Sunday reminded us what time church started. The day started out cloudy, but now it is clear and sunny and beautiful outside.

When I walked into the chapel today, the two ladies that are always there to listen to the prelude music showed me a page in the hymn book and wanted me to play it. It had four flats and those I can do. If it would have been four sharps I would have had to decline. I never know what the song is until I start playing it because I can't read the title. This one happened to be A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. I actually could play it and had Rich tell them that I would practice it and put it on the list for a future Sunday hymn. They seemed pleased. It cracks me up that they come to hear me practice each Sunday. And today, the hymns I selected were easy enough to play and I made serious mistakes along the way. The piano is difficult to play for an accomplished pianist, then for someone like me it becomes a challenge. Oh well.

After church was over, one of the counselors wanted to talk to me. The Primary needs my help to play for the Primary Presentation program. Oh, dear - where is my Marianne when I need her. I, of course, said yes and he gave me one page number in the hymn book that they are singing, and thank goodness it is How Firm a Foundation. I can handle that one. The rest are in the Primary Songbook. He said he would get me a book and the rest of the songs. Then he said the program was the last Sunday of this month. I hope I can get practiced up by then.

Sunday School class with Elder Kroff was full. There were a few investigators today, plus those that just wanted to be there. By full, I mean about 10 to 15 people. The classrooms are small. He had the class laughing at times and a good discussion unfolded on repentance.

While in Relief Society, the counselor came to get me out of class. He wanted to know if I could play the hymn, How Firm a Foundation, right now for the primary kids to practice. He took me to the Primary room and they had a keyboard in there. I have never played on it before, but I did okay. But they only went over the hymn once. Only two boys were old enough to read and follow along with the words, and no one other than the teachers was singing. But the good news is the program has been postponed until in December sometime. So that will give me more time to practice. That's a plus!

We are going to the Argyles later this evening to begin our stay with the children, so it gave me time to update yesterday's entry and todays. In order to use the wireless connection at the mission home, we need a password. The President can't remember the password. They, of course, don't need it for their computers, but any outsiders would. So it looks like I won't be able to do another journal entry until Wednesday night. I'll have to write down good notes the next couple of days.

The city is just covered with these trees bearing beautiful purple blooms. We don't know the name of the tree, but they are everywhere. As we look out over our balcony, we see the colorful tree tops dotting the view. The petals are starting to fall off, so they could become quite messy. But they are gorgeous to look at right now.