As We Glory in His Name


The chicken runs with its head cut off and its two left talons clacking together while it chases the checkered ball. Its shouts of nonsense and wild movements are what give chance to score in the goalpost. And it scored cheerfully and spitefully more times than it should've. In simple, I'm getting better at soccer. We had lots of laughs as we won another game on Pday. 


The success we had this week in our missionary lives varied slightly in how we were able to teach people. For this past transfer, we've struggled with various parts that come with mission life. It's been particularly hard to help our friends complete their commitments. Yet, one of the things I noticed especially this week was my companion's gift to be sensitive to the spirit. One new friend that we managed to find has been living alone for a few years while his kids live with someone else. His wife had died a few years earlier. His house remains rather reserved until we relieve a good laugh or two. We taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and prayer. It was wonderful to see my companion's expression and to add my testimony of our communication with God. I noted a soft touch of the spirit while we talked to him of how we can always express ourselves to Him that will always love and understand always. His teary red eyes spoke gratitude and hope. 

The spirit helped us in another lesson that we had with the mother of a member. The mother has known about the church for years and has come a few times. When asked if she was a member, she chuckles out an "I might as well be." In our little visit to her and her brother, it was nice to see they enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed theirs. Our small conversation varied from funny stories from past weeks of falling off stairs and bikes to her more personal stories about when she lost her daughter of 9 years and how that loss affected her physically and emotionally. She also mentioned how she went to the church at that time. She followed her experience with a simple and earnest question of "What is the Spirit?" Whether that Spirit was the same one in the New and Old Testament and what it means to be influenced by this Spirit of God. What were our opinions on the matter? My response to her was somewhat instantaneous. I remembered an example one of my MTC teachers used and got to share what it means to me. I felt free as I got to explain the nature of the spirit and how we can receive such a blessed gift. My companion followed with simple explanations and what seemed like perfect invitations for these two people. I could see that the spirit had yet again touched my companion's heart as well as these people we were with. 

We finished off our teachings this week with more piano lessons. One of the youth, Luis, that we're teaching has a sister that also wanted to learn how to play the piano. For the past few weeks, I've been trying to teach him how to do basic scales, recognize keys, and play the one-hit-wonder twinkle twinkle little star. He's been progressing rapidly considering his practice keyboard at home is a piano app he downloaded on his phone. Anytime we see him he likes to show off his speedy scale fingers by putting his hand on the wall or a desk and flying his hand across the surface. He always attempts it with a big smile afterward. In this week's piano lesson, with Luis and his 7 yr old sister, I decided to teach them both at the same time hoping he would be able to help me explain things if I wasn't so clear. Luis' had enthusiasm and energy as he got to show off to his sister and let his jittery fingers tickle the keys. I began simply with what I taught her- naming each key with its corresponding do re mi. We followed next with the scale and finished with the song. They both got caught up in when to play which note at the right time. But their laughter and excitement in learning continued our several repetitions of notes. We got to talk to them and their family about Jesus Christ and His Atonement that same day. It was nice to see them all sitting together. 

It was a good week filled with laughs and the Spirit. 

 

as we glory in His name, 

Elder d'Evegnee

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