1. Two days ago was Lainey's 23rd month in Heaven. Sigh.
2. Ditched orchestra to attend a high school soccer game with friends. I enjoy watching sporting events especially when I know players.
3. Missed church Wednesday night because Lexie needed to be in Denver. She participates in a shooting program and Rick was unavailable to take her at the last minute. It was fun to see her expression when she did well. She was very happy with her performance. It was the first time I had sat to relax all day, so I was pretty much comatose by the time she was finished!
4. We spent Friday night at a football game! Our high school against Gannon's high school. He is a young man that attends our ward. Love the youth of our ward! Final score Maiden 56 Bandys 40. It was a good game though and we totally enjoyed seeing Gannon play!. Got home late, late, late!
5. Received this text message from Lindsay, who lives in Arlington now: "I went to the temple tonight to do a session and when I was walking up the stairs there was a Lady Bug on the wall". Awe, it did my heart so good to hear. I appreciate Heavenly Father giving us a definite reminder of our girl, I'm so grateful she is near and with our family regularly.
6. Up early on Saturday, headed to the temple to see an eternal family made! I had previously written (October 2015) and did not publish these words about this man. (why did I not publish this?)
In our church we refer to each other as Brother and Sister. My dear friend Regina became a member of the church some 12 years ago. Her equally dear husband Marty did not. In fact he wasn't interested. He made friends, he served with people, he even introduced himself as the Bishop but he wasn't a member and didn't feel the need.
He and Regina had come to see me play in the Orchestra a few years ago. Marty would always tease me, "When you playin that fiddle?" I'd reply, "When you gettin baptized?" This went on for quite sometime.
At the first of the year, after the loss of Lainey, I started back with the Orchestra. I had to do something for myself. Weeks into it, I just lost interest. I didn't want to go, I didn't want to take the time. I would have to leave for work at 7 am on Monday's and not return home until after Orchestra often at 9 pm.
Just as I was about to give up on Orchestra all together, I had this hint of an impression, "If you don't start practicing now, you won't be ready." (It was implied that I wouldn't be ready to play for Marty's baptism)
So I continued. Then I received this facebook message:
Dottie!!!! BIG NEWS!!!!! Get your fiddle ready....Marty is getting baptized on October 11th!! You don't have to play but we'd love it if you can come. Love ya!!
How could I say no to this?!
So I got busy, found a song, found someone to play with me and I practiced. I prayed, I practiced, I felt emotional every time I thought about it. I prepared myself and asked Heavenly Father to help my performance to be perfect!
The day arrived, I had driven the 40 minutes to the Chapel and tuned with the piano. Initially the chapel was quite empty, something I hadn't expected. I prayed for more people to come (which is crazy since I was nervous) but people came, more and more. The program started, it was time for the baptism AND there were so many people, most could not even see it happen!
The moment had arrived, it was time to play. The piano started, then I started...then in the middle of my page two the air conditioner kicked on and with it my page started to flutter off my stand!
I had to stop in mid bow stroke, rescue my paper and pick back up in the song! I don't remember much beyond that point. The song ended, I sat down.
I immediately knew the lesson to be learned. That it's ok, if it's not perfect. It's okay if I did my best, these were my Brothers and Sisters and it just didn't matter. I could do something most in the room could not. It will be okay for me to play in public as a sign of worship.
I'm glad for that experience! Most said, I did great. I had to comment about my music, and everyone could see what had happened. But I heard, "My gosh, you just fixed it and started right back where you left off!"
I'm so grateful Marty finally made the choice to be baptized and I am blessed and honored to be a part of it!
Congratulations Brother Martykins!
A year later, this week I attended the Temple to witness this beautiful family become a forever family. As I applied my makeup in the early morning hours, I paused just before I added my mascara, then I realized, I don't need it, I'll just be crying it off...So true! Looking at Regina, looking at Marty and all those who have loved their family for years...knowing the prayers, the tears, the faith that it has taken to see Marty progress to this point, it was so beautiful!.
7. I came home exhausted but with a renewed dedication to the church that I love. I'm so thankful for a perfect church, filled with imperfect people trying to serve The Lord.
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