Sunday February 23

      Twice a year the presidency of either Elder’s Quorum or Relief Society (at least in our ward) are asked to pick out three talks from the latest general conference that will most benefit the members.  I’ve been in the presidency for six and a half years under three different presidents and have always picked Tracy Browning (well, since she's been in) as one of the talks I would like to see taught in Relief Society.

Since she was ordained to the primary in April 2022, Sister Browning’s talk has made the list . . . except for this last Conference. I was the only one who had picked it. And yet I had several opportunities to slide it in.  Each time thinking, “This is a great talk but maybe one that won’t resonate with the sisters; another talk may provide them with what they need.”

     We went to Kevin’s ward on Sunday February 23. I think the chapel and Relief Society Rooms squished together were the same size of our entire building back in Myrtle Creek.  We arrived late due to Richard’s starting lunch on Oregon time (PST) and rushing ourselves to eat on Arizona time (MST).  We had missed the sacrament portion of sacrament meeting but did get there in time for the first talk. As I looked over the huge congregation I thought it possible that not everybody I saw had a calling.

The closing song was “Gethsemane” which I attempt to sing  each time it is selected – but never make it through.  Never mind that my voice was already cracking due to dryness,  I can’t sing out loud as the tears are always spilling from my eyes.  That song just touches me as it is a favorite of our primary which has always been small in numbers – but sounds like there are at least fifty whenever they sing “Gethsemane.”

   I was really impressed with how the presidency starts out the conducting.  Rather than just turn the time over to the instructor will ask a question which relates to the lesson and breaks up into smaller groups to discuss possible answers which I saw as an open door for greater class participation during the lesson which there was lots.  I was so full of the Spirit and felt so much gratitude and as I have the mind of Dory (Nemo’s friend) I had to write everything down.  And each time I wrote there was some kind of gap or lull within the lesson that gave me time to do so without missing out on whatever came next.

        I was meant to be there on Sunday.  I was meant to have that lesson.  I realized I had not been in the right frame of mind all week.  I usually engage myself with “Come Follow Me” videos and scripture study each day.  I realized I had not done any of that since we left Oregon – and boy what a difference it created within my attitude.  I would have been more pleasant if I had just stuck to my routine.  I realized that on Sunday.  And I realized that I need to take that leap of faith for what may be part of God’s plan and not necessarily my own. 

     Why should I view the next opportunity for myself, my family – a challenge.  I took the leap of faith when Richard proposed.  Acting upon God’s will rather than my own.  If I can take a leap of faith on a partner surely I can take that same leap to our next destination – and I won’t be alone.  God will provide a way for me to deal with what I foresee as problematic – until it isn’t problematic anymore.

    Richard didn’t seem to share in the same frame of understanding that I did.  It sounded to me like he felt defeat.  But even though we had the same lesson, I know that participation within the priesthood varies from what is discussed in Relief Society. He sounded as though he were ready to give up on the idea of interviewing or moving forward.  But that was obviously short lived.  Like Kevin and Jaime, Richard will bounce back.  All three of them choose to be happy and that is a good positive to be around.

     So now we’re just waiting and preparing ourselves for our next chapter.  Pluto still exists.  (That is how Tracy Browning starts out the talk) It may no longer be recognized as a planet – but it is still there.  Just like the bridge in Indiana Jones (a comment made by one of the sisters) – one that blends into the scenery but has always been there.  I know my mind is going faster than I am writing and the flow isn't smooth as I would like.  I wish I could more accurately share the Spirit that was felt.