This morning on a group list for apologetics [defending the faith] I occasionally take part in, there was a question which was basically answered in a way that said, "This is not a topic for discussion." Since it was a topic I have seen addressed in scholarly works several times, including by one of my favorite authors, Hugh Nibley, I responded to this by saying that such a response would have us throw out much of Nibley's work, or never discuss it.
The unexpected support came from another member of the list whose writings and also his discussion on the list I learn a great deal from. I was very pleasantly surprised.
Later in the day I attended a meeting of several trainers concerning a certain training situation--and while the majority of the trainers were very positive about the situation, the one elder in the group voiced many of the concerns I have had. Because of that I spoke up about other issues which I had not been planning to voice. Still, since I feel strongly about these things, I should have realized that I would not keep quiet. Although the group really does not, I think, have any power to change anything, at least the issues are out in the open.
In our zone trainers meeting I was asked to redo some of my presentations to make them more understandable for missionaries who are not native speakers of English. This needs to be done pretty quickly, and I am finding that putting the presentations together takes many hours. I hope I will be able to do this in a timely manner. The good news at the meeting is that some of the other training presentations will not need to be ready until mid-to-late January.
Our choir director seemed pleased with the progress we are making with the music for the Christmas program on December 19. We have just two practices left, so that is a good thing. Today we sang a version of Away in a Manger, and I think we stayed pretty much on pitch during the last verse which we sang without accompaniment.
I was pleasantly surprised when I got back to the apartment late this afternoon to find a door tag from maintenance with the note that the toilet had been replaced. Yesterday I had mentioned to my friend who is in charge of mission housing here that the old commode was quite cracked--although it did not seem to be leaking. Now there is a brand new one! Amazing!
Thanks to the early morning reminder of Hugh Nibley, I spent some time this evening reading one of his essays on the temple, and then one of Kipling's stories from The Jungle Book, book 2.
My Sweetheart called and we talked quite a while. He is pet-sitting while my daughter is off on a short trip. What a blessing he is to us!
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