Simple Things

A few months ago I was at my parents house looking through my old journals (sheesh what a sappy drama filled girl I was). I have a feeling that some of those pages will magically go "missing" soon. Anyway it got me to thinking about years gone by. When I was in high school and early college my dearest friends would gather together every Sunday evening for scripture study. It was simple and wonderful. I always felt enriched and I think the quiet hour spent together outside of regular socializing and seminary really helped to bind us together. Years later, many of these people continue to be my closest friends. My dear friend Shannon (that's right Shan, you made quite the impression Haha! I can't remember anyone else's verses. You're special!) would frequently say "I love the simpleness of the gospel." Occasionally rather than reading a specific chapter or two, we would take turns either bearing our testimonies or sharing a favorite scripture. Shannon would often quote Alma 41:10 "...wickedness never was happiness". (I promise this will tie in...)

It is no secret that I have complained about my church calling. I have been the primary chorister for 4 1/2 years. That's a looooong time fair readers. Much of the time I feel like I'm singing a solo and look like a fool as I do the actions to "Book of Mormon Stories" all by my lonesome. One of the songs for the primary program is "Praise to the Man." NOTE: It is no small task to teach this song to children. It has so many words that even adults don't know the meaning of or at least words we never use (i.e. communed, anointed, dispensation, atone, extol, ascended, revere, etc...). On Sunday however, when voicing my conducting frustrations, my visiting teacher told me that her 2 year old daughter, Cassie, sings this song all the time at home. Cassie has never once sang along to any songs in nursery; I think I might have once seen her do the actions to 'The Wheels on the Bus" once. Knowing that even the littlest children are in fact learning, gives me hope that come program time I will not be leading a choir of mutes.

This past week as I was speaking with my bishop brother-in-law he said, "You know Cher, the chorister is the gospel doctrine teacher for primary. Everything we need to learn is in the primary songs." This simple conversation has really helped me see my calling in a new way. One of the songs I've taught this year is "I Will Follow God's Plan" which outlines the gospel from beginning to end. "My life is a gift; my life has a plan. My life has a purpose; in heav'n it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth and seek for God's light to direct me from birth. I will follow God's plan for me, holding fast to his light and his love. I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in his way. Then I will be happy on earth and in my home above."

It's all there. A simple recipe of who we are, where we came from, how to be happy, and how we can return to our father in heaven. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are blessed to have a personal "blue print" or 'Patriarchal Blessing" which gives further guidance, warnings, and blessings for our individual journey in life. I read mine the other night and it once again filled my heart with peace, hope, and joy. Wonderful blessings are in store if I work to keep the commandments. If you have received your patriarchal blessing, I urge you to read it this weekend. It had been almost a year since I last read mine and it gave me a glimpse of the woman I want to be and can be with the lord's help.

I have started several posts over the past few months, but I either haven't gotten around to 'finishing' them, or by the end of my rants I realize that some things are better left unblogged. Haha. Out of all the things that have been happening over the past seven months I'm not sure why this is the topic I've decided to blog about... but eh? Here goes...