It was such a fabulous weekend and it all started on Thursday!
11.12.15
Today was the day that Elder Holland and our other guests arrived. We knew they were there because a lunch had been set up for them. I had a hard time focusing because I was hoping that I would somehow run into him. I thought about what that experience might be like and I guess maybe had a little prayer in my heart that I had been prepared well enough and was living righteously enough to come in contact with an apostle of the Lord. So I was sitting there doing my reading I got a call from Sister Heiner. She asked if I was in the center and that she had an opportunity for me. She said that the guests were getting a tour of the building and had wanted to see a students apartment. BLESSINGS FOR HAVING A CLEAN APARTMENT. So of course I couldn't focus at all after that. I just went down to straighten up and then had to patiently wait. I did happen to run into them at another point on their tour and it surprised me how normal it seemed. Except I didn't really know what to do so I kind of just waved down the hall and continued where I was going haha! When they finally got to my door a whole crowd of people came in. The Lawrence's, the Holland's, the Macmillan's, the Whitchurchs, Mr. Hyatt, the architect of the building, and the camera guy. Elder Holland came right in, shook our hands, and then took a seat on the table. The men were talking about the logistics of things. We talked to the wives. And picture were being snapped the whole time. He was cracking jokes about the view and how we must have a hard life. They couldn't believe how we got all our stuff into that little space but they are used to traveling and packing small too. It was such a surreal experience. They didn't stay long, but there was an apostle in my apartment!!! All the other students were super jealous haha! As Sister Whitchurch walked out she said, write home and tell your parents about this experience right now!
11.14.15
We had the women's meeting first. Elder Holland was stopping by each meeting and giving a short thought. I love how true disciples of the lord are concerned with the individual. He testified boldly about the role and influence of women.
I loved hearing from the general authorities and I loved hearing from the members here. It was a testimony to me about how the church really is the same wherever you go. And once again, ever song we sing has more significance here than any other place in the world. Now let us rejoice did it for me this time. Israel will be gathered and the conflict will be over when the Savior doth come. Also, our musical number went so well! There were definitely angels in our midst making that happen and inviting the spirit.
I am so grateful for my talents! The Lord has blessed me with talents that I have had the opportunity over and over again to share with others. It has been a time to share my testimony and invite the spirit into countless meetings. But something special about today was that I was playing for an apostle of the Lord. There aren't a lot of words to describe this experience but I think there's something to be said about preparation. I wanted to perform well. I wanted to make it a special experience. I wanted it to influence the meeting for good. As I think about the time and effort put into this event, I think about what would be put in if the Savior was coming. What am I doing each and every day to prepare for when the Savior comes? What am I going to share with Him? Am I making that preparation a priority? Am I doing it well and with full purpose of heart?
President Whitchurch came in during dinner and announced that Elder Holland would be doing a fireside with just the students at 7. It hit me once again in that moment how blessed we are. We all gathered and took a group photo. We then took pictures in smaller groups like 4 or 5 and then got to shake hands with all of them. It was funny because as we were waiting for our picture i was in the middle of a group of boys and we were the last ones. Elder Holland said, "Well we got the bottom of the barrel here. Good thing you have that pretty lady in the middle of you" haha! We then proceeded with our fireside which turned out to be very informal. He stood away from the pulpit and said pretend that you're sitting in the Holland's living room, this is probably the closest you'll ever get. We have popcorn and hot chocolate and we're just going to chat. I was sitting in the front row and was seriously like 5 feet from him. He let us ask questions and then he delegated them to the others on the stand but he always added his thoughts as well. (See notes on phone) it was a delight. Mostly it was a sacred, special experience to be in the presence of a special witness of Christ for an entire day!
11.15.15
11.12.15
Today was the day that Elder Holland and our other guests arrived. We knew they were there because a lunch had been set up for them. I had a hard time focusing because I was hoping that I would somehow run into him. I thought about what that experience might be like and I guess maybe had a little prayer in my heart that I had been prepared well enough and was living righteously enough to come in contact with an apostle of the Lord. So I was sitting there doing my reading I got a call from Sister Heiner. She asked if I was in the center and that she had an opportunity for me. She said that the guests were getting a tour of the building and had wanted to see a students apartment. BLESSINGS FOR HAVING A CLEAN APARTMENT. So of course I couldn't focus at all after that. I just went down to straighten up and then had to patiently wait. I did happen to run into them at another point on their tour and it surprised me how normal it seemed. Except I didn't really know what to do so I kind of just waved down the hall and continued where I was going haha! When they finally got to my door a whole crowd of people came in. The Lawrence's, the Holland's, the Macmillan's, the Whitchurchs, Mr. Hyatt, the architect of the building, and the camera guy. Elder Holland came right in, shook our hands, and then took a seat on the table. The men were talking about the logistics of things. We talked to the wives. And picture were being snapped the whole time. He was cracking jokes about the view and how we must have a hard life. They couldn't believe how we got all our stuff into that little space but they are used to traveling and packing small too. It was such a surreal experience. They didn't stay long, but there was an apostle in my apartment!!! All the other students were super jealous haha! As Sister Whitchurch walked out she said, write home and tell your parents about this experience right now!
11.14.15
We had the women's meeting first. Elder Holland was stopping by each meeting and giving a short thought. I love how true disciples of the lord are concerned with the individual. He testified boldly about the role and influence of women.
I loved hearing from the general authorities and I loved hearing from the members here. It was a testimony to me about how the church really is the same wherever you go. And once again, ever song we sing has more significance here than any other place in the world. Now let us rejoice did it for me this time. Israel will be gathered and the conflict will be over when the Savior doth come. Also, our musical number went so well! There were definitely angels in our midst making that happen and inviting the spirit.
I am so grateful for my talents! The Lord has blessed me with talents that I have had the opportunity over and over again to share with others. It has been a time to share my testimony and invite the spirit into countless meetings. But something special about today was that I was playing for an apostle of the Lord. There aren't a lot of words to describe this experience but I think there's something to be said about preparation. I wanted to perform well. I wanted to make it a special experience. I wanted it to influence the meeting for good. As I think about the time and effort put into this event, I think about what would be put in if the Savior was coming. What am I doing each and every day to prepare for when the Savior comes? What am I going to share with Him? Am I making that preparation a priority? Am I doing it well and with full purpose of heart?
11.15.15
On Sunday we had our free day and were just spending time in the Old City. We ended up just sitting outside Jaffa gate for a long time eating lunch and waiting for other groups, but it ended up being a good thing because we casually ran into a bunch of guys in white shirts...yup Elder Holland, Elder Lawrence, Brother McMillan, and the rest of the crew. We got to visit for a minute after Mr. Hyatt waved us over and it was such an interesting experience. It was just so chill and casual, like we met up all the time. Elder Holland absolutely loves this land. He was cracking jokes as usual. The photographer got some good shots as well haha! After they left we ran into the wives a bit later. They had been shopping of course haha! It's funny that for such a big city, it's really not that hard to run into people.
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment