Linger

My friend posted this on her Facebook page. She and her husband served a mission in Spain and they now serve in a singles ward, where Grant serves as the Bishop. (Update - they now serve as mission leaders in the Philippines)

"16 days of spontaneous, non-stop worship happened at the Asbury revival in Kentucky last month. It started with a group of 20 students who stayed after a weekly service to pray, sing and worship.

It’s estimated that over 50,000 people came to participate in this gathering (auditorium capacity 1,500) from around the country and world. It all started with a few who stayed…

I’ve thought about staying, the lingering, and why it matters. In our church, we have what’s called a “linger longer” for our young adults (age 18-30) It gives us time to stay a little longer and get to know others in our congregation.

Back in the early 70’s when I was a young girl, I attended a linger longer with my Aunt Gloria after church. For me it was all about the cupcakes and the sandwiches. I still remember the adults busily setting out food. Then sitting around tables, talking, laughing and listening to each other.

I read this quote in an article and it has been replaying in my mind “Asbury Revivals give permission to the world saying, "it's okay to go beyond the limits of expectations and time. For those who are hungry, there's more. You don't need to shut down the building and close the doors when the church service is over. It's okay to linger, and look what might happen when you do...”

This quote refers more to the spiritual side of why we linger. Whether that’s in the hallway or parking lot or around a table with a plate of food, it’s given me something to think about.

I believe many are looking for Jesus Christ and that’s what happened in Wilmore Kentucky last month. Instead of rushing out of church today let’s look for ways to linger just a little longer "

I responded that  love this ... we don't linger enough! I am a lingerer! When I was young in Canada we used to linger between our church sessions which were held in the morning and at night and when it was District (Stake Conference) we would linger with food between sessions as people came quite a distance for church. We grew to know each other and to love each other. Great memories!

Life is often Hard It is Probably Supposed to Be

  I have recently come to understand the atonement in my life more fully. I know it is about being lifted up. I know it is about forgiveness. I know it is about my Savior and what he can and must do for me after all I have done, but I have come to understand it is more. It is personal on a daily basis. Intellectually I have taught and talked about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It can take aways sorrow and pain and anguish but I didn't think of it personally. I didn't think I was there, but I am and I am learning daily how much I am there. For me it has taken away that same sorry and pain and anguish, but it has taken away embarrassment, and hurt and inadequacies and things I think aren't fair .... As I have asked for it it has lifted burdens and given me peace and confidence or at least some confidence. When I feel the atonement it gives me worth. I do need it on a daily basis, but then again maybe I do and it is I who has to realize those moments.

 In my phone I keep lists and one of my compilations notes, those things I have come to notice the atonement covers; fear, embarrassment, rejection, shame. self blame. self hatred, loneliness, anguish, sickness, weakness, regrets, remorse, emotional distress .... a beginning and important partial list!

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind, and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death, which bind his people

The Errand of Angels is Given to Women ...

The lyrics to a song in my hymnbook are,

As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together; The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek. We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor; We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

The errand of angels is given to women; And this is a gift that, as sisters we claim: To do what-so-ever is gentle and human, To cheer and to bless in humanity's nake

How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission, If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed. Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

I belong to one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I am a member of the Relief Society organization. Someone has said, "Relief Society isn't where we go, it is who we are!" I love that! I AM Relief Society. The three-fold purpose of Relief Society is to strengthen faith and personal righteousness, strengthen family and provide relief by seeking out and helping those in need. Can you think of any greater purposes of any organizations. Today at my church I was deeply moved by a number of things. First,  a beautiful woman, Ruth,  told the story of her mother, in fact, the spouse of my blog, A Giant in My Neighborhood. She too is a giant in her own right, but today her status in my eyes grew by leaps and bounds. The daughter touched my soul ... she testified with such strength and humility. She and her mother are angels. She said that when she was a child, living in Japan, she learned from her mother's service. At least twice a week her mother would make meals for those in her church who needed food or support. The boundaries of their congregation or ward were large and her mother did not drive, so after the meals were made she would put her son on her back or in the stroller and they, four children and one mother, would either walk or take public transportation to deliver these meals to those who were in need. Twice a week ... walk or take a bus ... Not only did she care for her own young family she sought out and took care of many, many others. In that single act she fulfilled all three purposes of Relief Society and what should be purposes of our lives; she strengthened her faith and her family's faith and sought out and helped those in need. I think she accomplished much more ... because her acts were magnificient teaching moments, as evidenced in the lives of her family. Our world concerns itself with the the acrument of awards and fame and things. This woman would not be found in the halls of fame, and she seeks neither reward or recognition. She knows what is important to herself, her family and to her Father in Heaven ... that is where she puts her time. A giant, a giant wife and a giant daughter ... I love them all and I am so grateful they are my neighbors and sisters ... they are so humble, yet so powerful; so quiet, yet so loud, so unassuming, yet so assumed; so loving and so loved ...