We didnt go into work today. There is a special visitor in town this week. Instead of the usual monthly Area devotional, we had a big one today with the special visitor giving the key address. She doesnt speak Spanish, so there was an interpreter for her (female) and her husband (male). It was Sister Linda Burton, General President of the Relief Society. Yeah, we knew who it was last week. In fact, she will be visiting in OUR employment office tomorrow at 2:00 for about an hour. Her husband's name is Craig. Anyway, she told us that even though we think we are small and insignificant, that is only in our eyes. The Lord sees as stretchable and capable of growing into His expectations. She told of how she was in Australia for three years and thought that was the hard thing in her life, and now things would be just fine now. Then she got married and thought that was the hardest thing. Then she had a baby and that had to be the hardest thing. Then she had five more. Then they were teenagers. Then they got married. Then they had children. Then she was wife of the mission president in Korea. That must be the hardest thing. BUT now she has this calling, and it is by far harder than anything. She feels our prayers and asked for them to continue. She was overwhelmed till Pres. Monson laid his hands on her heads to set her apart, and only then did she feel calm. Her husband said that she has four secretaries waiting to help her. She had been a stay-at-home-mom for all but three months of her married life, and was very independent. She did everything herself. Now she has four secretaries to direct, and all the stuff that goes with her calling. She has changed - stretched - by accepting the challenge (calling). I felt great relief just hearing her say this. I can stop thinking of myself as a small, insignificant human being who just happens to be a member of the Church, and hand over my smallness to the Lord Who will stretch me to what my potential really is. I can welcome hard things in my life because they will help me become who I really am. She mentioned scriptural references to men and women who had challenges: Moses, Lehi, Nephi, etc. Did they have hard things to do? What about Peter when he wanted to walk on the water? Did he have a hard thing to do? With faith, all things are possible, and with faith I can stretch as big as the Lord has in mind for me to stretch. I felt that she definitely has been called of God to lead the Relief Society. She is sensitive ,humble, kind, genuinely interested in us, and has a knowledge that we have great potential. She will lead us as the Lord wants us led. Her husband is very supportive. He loves her very much and asks that our prayers for her will continue.
After this great devotional hour, we were treated to a luncheon that was as large as a full dinner meal. It was a typical Chilean lunch. We started out with the traditional Chilean empanada, then were served a plate of three kinds of meat (chicken, pork and beef), three potatoes, a corn/tomato salad, lettuce/celery/walnut salad, green bean/grain salad, salsa. We were served three different desserts, one was mousse over meringue cookie bits, the second was cubed peaches topped with a dollop of whipped cream, the third was rice pudding with raisins and toasted almond slivers. I asked if everything came in threes, and was told, "Yes, and you must have three servings of the juice, too." The juice was fresh pineapple juice - so sweet. There was entertainment, too. Three guys performed a few songs, and then we watched three couples dance. Luckily I happened to have my camera in my bag, so took some nice pictures. I also took pix of our lunch.
So now we are back at the apartment and will just bask in the left-over spirit that we have with us. We DO have a purpose for being in Chile. We may not know exactly what it is, or when we will have accomplished that, and may not know for a long time, but we know we are here for something that only we can do. It may have nothing to do with our assignment, it may have nothing to do with learning Spanish. It may have nothing to do with the people of Chile. It may be for us, or for our family, or for someone here with another assignment. But we ARE here to be stretched.
3 comments:
Just a thought. I know for me, when I get to listen to a General Authority in person, like Sister Dalton or Elder Jensen, I listen more intently to every talk they give from then on. Their messages are more personal. I wonder if it's like that for you? AND, When I am in their presence and feel their love and bask in the Spirit they bring, I have to believe that, even though I don't get to hear all the General Authorities speak in person, they too have that same kind of love and Spirit. So maybe next time I get to listen to one during conference or a fireside I can think of how I felt in the presence of a General Authority and feel a little of that same Spirit. Make sense?
I'm so jealous. I appreciate hearing how you felt around her. Just after Elder Russell M. Nelson came to our Stake Conference, it was said that with the size of the church, on average, members meet a general authority only every 27 years. It helped me value his apostolic blessing all the more.
Glad I found your blog.
sounds like a answer to a heartfelt prayer that you had been holding on to. Just goes to show we all feel inadequate at many times in life and that we are enough and our weakness can be made strong. that's hope! after our faith. :)
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