School is out!! And though it hardly seems possible, that probably means I will be on here even less. Yes, I know that all my loyal fans out there (all three of you) will be heartbroken, but it must be. I do feel so insanely busy, just like there is no end in sight of all there is to do. All. The. Time. I am going to have to make better use of my mornings (meaning getting up earlier) and my evenings (meaning going to bed earlier).
But I just wanted to take a quick minute and share what I thought were two really cool testimonies from our ward. One was Sister Bithell, who I just love, and she was telling about being in Salt Lake Memorial Day weekend. I missed part of her testimony (thank you, Emme) but the jist was that while at their hotel in the lobby, they saw President Monson! He was visiting with some youth and she said he took so much time with them all. They just waved hi to him, not wanting to take his time, but she said he came right over and talked to them for at least 15 minutes! He asked all about them, where they were from and what they were doing here, etc. She said that he was soo kind and that there was such a glow about him and that she had such a strong impression that he was truly the Lord's prophet on the earth.
The other testimony was last month, and it was Sister Murdock, who you know I love to death, too. Her and Frank had gone to Utah for the funeral of Frank's old mission president. She went to the restroom, I think, and when she came out someone said, "Oh, you just missed President Uchtdorf!" She was trying to find her way back to where she had come from and got a little lost and was passing by the chapel or the foyer, can't remember which, when she saw a little ways off President Monson! She said that he was surrounded by about 10 to 12 little kids and that they were all gathered around him in a circle. He was talking to each one and would pat their heads, or touch their cheeks as they all gathered around him. She had tears in her eyes, as she said that as she looked on that scene, she felt just one person removed from our Heavenly Father and bore her testimony that she knew he was the prophet on the earth today.
They were both just such neat testimonies and really touched my heart. I wish I could remember the details better. But I know that as they bore their testimonies, the Spirit was so strong in the room.
I have been reading President Kimball's biography, and it is so interesting and he is so humble and sweet and hard working, despite being beset by sooo many health issues. And he spends soo much time counseling individuals and those who seek his advice and help. I just can't get over how much time they spend serving and how non-stop it is. It really makes me appreciate our leaders today.
Anyway, I just wanted to share those with you! That's all for now, but someday I will actually post pictures of Tristan and Alaina's birthdays!
3 comments:
Those are both such wonderful stories. I remember when I was younger, I didn't want Pres. Monson to take Pres. Hinckley's place. But now that he is the prophet, I have no doubt that he is really a prophet. There is such a light about him, isn't there? And he does seem to spend soo much time with individuals. I remember after Conference, at the very end when they're leaving the Conference Center, it showed Pres. Monson stopped and walked over to a couple of youth and start talking to them and he didn't seem rushed or annoyed at all to be talking to them.
I have to say, it is amazing what a difference one person can make, even if it's just one small interaction. The other day, we were in the grocery store, and Hunter was extremely tired and in a foul mood. This little old asian couple were next to us in the isle, and the old man had such a kind glow about him. He said hi to me and Hunter, and was helping make Hunter happier, and he looked me right in the eye and put his hand on my shoulder and told me what a good baby I had. I just wanted to hug him right then, mostly because he took the time to be so kind. There was something about him and his wife that I can't even begin to describe, but I want to be more like him. And that was only in the space of about ten seconds, and look what an impact he made on me! Sorry, this was a long comment, but I thought you'd like hearing that story!
What neat testimonies, and neat experiences meeting the prophet! I can't imagine how that would feel. Just amazing!
And then there is Haley and my story of meeting Pres. Monson before he was the prophet. I was pregnant with Aiden and it was the Bountiful, Utah 24th of July parade. Haley and I were near the end and eating our cotton candy when Pres. Monson rode in on a float. So we ran to the end and got a picture with him as he was walking away from his float! of course, we both still have our mostly eaten cotton candy in our hands and are standing there kind of blank faced, but it was really neat!
And then, a few years before when I was at the National Red Cross Convention in Salt Lake, President Monson spoke. (Also before he was the prophet.) I remember it was an amazing talk and thought how neat it was for all of these non-members to hear him! After the session I was standing not far from him and my heart was racing I wanted to talk to him SO badly! Then just as I got the courage someone rushed him off in the other direction and I never saw him again that day. A few days later the convention itinerary had us in the tabernacle watching Music and the Spoken Word by the choir and we sat on the floor seats, really close, and I watched President Monson almost the whole time! It was wonderful!!!
I am seeing that I need to wake up earlier too. There aren't enough hours in the day! I kept thinking that all day long today!
That's so touching to realize that our prophet took so much individual time with people, esp. children. That reminds me so much of Jesus and how He accomplished so much of his teaching when he was interrupted or stopped by people. He spent those moments teaching us how to love.
When I met Spencer W. Kimball at the Independence Visitor's Center dedication, he was just in a little corner by himself, and he was just small and quiet and polite, in no hurry. My dad and I loved him! He wasn't the prophet yet at that time. He was so cute, and so humble. I'll never forget it.
Post a Comment