Tjabba grabbar
What a week! We started it off by knocking on a tipsy German
concert pianists door. He let us in and I played a little of what I remember
from "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" and he gave me all of the sheet
music for Edvard Grieg's piano solo's in a complete set. That was pretty
awesome. He also wants to come to church some time which is more awesome.
On Wednesday we had dinner with a member family here and for
our message we had each person pair up with another and gave them thirty
seconds to draw each other without looking at the paper they were drawing on.
The results were hilarious. Then we had them draw each other in 1 minute by
being able to look at both the person and the paper. The results were (still
hilarious but) much better.
We shared that just looking at the face was like just going
to church. We learn about the Gospel but if we aren't applying it in our home
life then we aren't looking at our pen while we draw. By learning about the
Gospel both at church and at home, we 1) have more time to learn and
internalize teachings, and 2) can see how we're actually living our lives and
how we need to change and improve. As a result, we draw a clearer and more
accurate picture.
We had zone conference on Thursday which was really good and
really needed. We talked a lot about how we teach repentance to people.
Repentance is more than just praying, reading your scriptures, and going to
church. Repentance needs to be a constant refining process and stem from a
self-motivated desire to improve and come closer to God in all respects.
On Friday, we and the sister missionaries held a youth
fireside in a member family's home. After the opening festivities which
included a rousing round of Kahoot--you know what they say: A Kahoot a day
keeps the doktor away--we blindfolded the participants and had them pass around
objects without speaking while we played some music.
We passed around letters that spelled "JESUS"
while they listened to lyrics such as "I'm trying to be like Jesus"
and "Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things
Jesus taught."
Then they had the opportunity to feel a small star, a manger
and other nativity related items while listening quietly to Silent Night. This
then transitioned to objects representing the Lord's mortal ministry while a
powerful and uplifting rendition of Amazing Grace played.
Things got a little heavier as we began to pass around a
rope, a wooden post, a crown of thorns, and finally a metal tent stake while
the Tabernacle Choir sung "I tremble to know that for me He was crucified.
That for me a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died."
The music stopped. For a moment, everything was still. The
silence was broken by the slow pounding of a hammer on solid metal. Then
silence again.
The participants were led one at a time out into the dark
outside and each stood alone and cold while pondering, among others, the
following lyrics: "Did your heart break? Does your heart break now?"
and "I cannot see you. I'm alone. Can the blind have sight?"
The tune changes to a hopeful one: "Learn to feel.
Learn to begin again. Open our eyes again." "I want to see the love
all around you." One by one, the youth were led back into the warm house
and received a hug from the father of the household. He then placed gently
placed his hands on the side of their head with his thumbs over their eyes
while one of the missionaries undid the blindfold from behind. As the blindfold
fell, the first thing each participant saw was a large picture of the Savior on
the television.
We let them sit there and ponder on their own before we
opened it up for a discussion and bore our testimonies of the reality and
divinity of Jesus Christ and encouraged each of them to choose a scripture or
song that reminds them of the Savior and then read that scripture or listen to
that song every day for at least a week to strengthen their love for Christ. I
would encourage each of you to do the same thing. As we learn of Him and follow
Him, we find the peace we need.
Have a great week!
Love,
Äldste Cummings
1.
2. I got a lot of material to practice.
3. I tried drawing Joseph without looking. I titled it "Jag heter Joseph."
4. Their four year-old was assigned to draw his dad. This was his attempt while he was allowed to look at both his dad and his paper.
5. Shark or upside down talking chin 🤔?
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