Today was a Regional Conference, involving 20 or so stakes in the Salt Lake Valley. As a branch in one of those stakes we were invited to attend via satellite in the stake center just across the street from my apartment. My Cuban sister had suggested we get there early, and named 9:20 as a good time to leave for the 10:00 meeting.
I did not want to miss Music and the Spoken Word entirely, so I went over to the Tabernacle, knowing that I could not attend the actual broadcast, but I could catch most of the run-through. As I entered the Tabernacle at about 8:30 I almost immediately teared up at the sounds of "Amazing Grace." Since I was alone I went upstairs, and sat as close as I could get to the choir and orchestra. One of the things I like very much about the Tabernacle is that it is such an intimate setting. I still felt the Spirit in the Conference Center, but in the Tabernacle I could hear the instructions Mack Wilberg was giving, I could observe the tympani from just across the way, and just enjoy the choir close up and personal.
I did not know that a great blessing was in store. Usually the run-through starts at 8:45, but today, perhaps because of the Regional conference, perhaps for a different reason, the run-through began at 8:35, so I was able to enjoy the entire program. What a blessing! I count being able to regularly attend the choir broadcasts as a wonderful blessing of serving this mission.
On my way back to the apartment I tried unsuccessfully to contact my Cuban sister to see if she wanted to leave a little earlier. It turned out not to be an issue. We arrived about 9:25 and had many seats to choose from. The chapel accommodated all, or nearly all from our branch who were in attendance.
The conference had references to the last days, to judgments to come if repentance is not forthcoming, along with encouragement to stay on track with the simple requirements of the gospel of Jesus Christ--pray, study scriptures, serve and love fellow humans, keep the Sabbath holy, pay tithes and offerings, attend the temple, remember the Savior. These practices result in happiness--but each gets to choose for him or her self. I was glad I could call my youngest daughter and share some of these items with her.
This afternoon and evening I have spent quite a lot of time attaching titles to pictures of document I have attached in Family Tree. My excuse for not doing this earlier was that at least I was getting these items in--maybe someone else would do the grunt work. My changed attitude reminds me of a time decades ago when the rules changed in family history and temple work. I complained a lot, until I realized that each of my relatives is worth whatever time it takes to get this right. So, hopefully, I will stop complaining and get to work.
Dinner with my Cuban sister is always delicious, and we got papers prepared for our feeding the Young Elders assignment.
Just waiting now for my Sweetheart to call. I counted it up today, and my mission will end in exactly 7 1/2 months--the time is indeed going quickly.
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