I have had a busy, but wonderful day today.  Our church block doesn't start until 1pm, but that is certainly not when the day begins.  We had a ward council meeting at 9am, then back home to work on refreshments to serve after a wonderful gentleman's baptism this afternoon.  Scott and Mike were going out of town for a few days, so I not only had to work on the refreshments, but dinner for them so they could eat before they left.  Our services go from 1 – 4pm, baptism at 4:30pm…boys leaving at 4:30pm…life certainly has it's moments!  I didn't get home until after 6:30…to face the kitchen that I hadn't had time to clean before I left for church: KitchenAid (from frosting…yummy cream cheese frosting!!!); big pots (from casserole making); cutting boards and serving platters to put away PLUS the few leftover (not much) that had to go into the refrigerator…but I only got about half way through the clean-up before it was time to leave again.  After a long day on your feet, going to one more meeting may not be what you want to do…however, the spirit was willing and the dishes will wait – the Mission President's Fireside won't.  Plus Brother Byron was speaking and I wanted to support him…secretly I just love hearing his voice – quite melodic!  Anyway, I'm glad I did!

There is nothing like a room half full with missionaries and the rest occupied by investigators (people taking the missionary lessons), new members and those that are supporting the missionary efforts…and those (me included) that want to bask in the light that comes from those filled with the Spirit of our Heavenly Father.  Recent converts told of their stories and bore testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There were singing missionaries – a full choir, a quartet that was accompanied by one of the Elders playing some sort of instrument that looked like it came from a Polynesian island (cool) and then a group sang "Be Still My Soul" A capella, one of my all time favorites…which was even more poignant after watching this:

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend

Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as he has the past,

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my sould: When change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

(Text: Katharina vo Schlegel, b. 1697; trans. by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897)

You know what?  I still have some of those dishes to do.  I took care of the ones that might cause an ant attack, but the rest can wait until morning.  When I add up how blessed I feel after this very busy day, I am grateful that I listened to that still, small voice that helped me to pick up my keys and head out the door.  Sometimes the very best things come when you are weary to the core and you make the effort to press on.  There's nothing like a spiritual feast at the end of a Sabbath day.