It Tolls for Thee
Here is a summary of our weekend. Porter once again was not going to play soccer, but finally overcame his fears and went out and had a good time. I went to my first swim meet in 11 years. It was great fun and I have to admit I got a little emotional just remembering the feelings of it all. Our nephew, Eric watched our kids while we went to the temple and then friends of our watched them while we went to SLC to play “How to Host a Murder” with Glenn’s brother, Danny.
One thing I will briefly touch because it cannot be glazed over is what happened in church today. I have always known that one day I would have a child that would run to the front of the chapel during church in which I would be forced to follow as all watched the show. Today was that day and Warrick was that child. Unfortunately this inevitable event happened when Glenn was filling in for the clerk on the stand and I was very pregnant and not very quick on my feet. He slipped from the pew. I lunged as much as I could, but it wasn’t enough. I started after him, but I was no match for his quick feet. We went across the front of all the onlookers and up the opposite isle. All I saw were hundreds of faces with big smiles – undoubtedly just glad it was me and not them. When we got to the back of the chapel I knew I would never catch him and I knew his speed was increasing and mine decreasing. I simply left the chapel in hopes that he would realize that no one was chasing him. He ran the next lap down one isle, across the front of the pew and up the other isle uncontested, but Glenn was there to get him in the end. Porter was on the heels of his dad and soon all four of us were out in the hall. Christian somehow got left on the stand where he was sitting with his dad during the meeting. I think Christian knew the show must go on and though his father was taking care of business, he would become the clerk. For those of you who don't know, the clerk basically gets a head count of how many people attended each Sunday. So while we were all out in the hall, Christian began counting the congregation. From the reports of people afterwards, he stood to see the back rows while he was pointing with his pencil and mouthing the numbers as he went. Needless to say, we once again provided more entertainment to our fellow worshipers than I feel comfortable doing.
Now for the biggest even of the night, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away just s couple of hours ago. I am sad, but at the same time I know he is happy. I know that he lives with God. I know that he was a prophet of God. I know that God does not leave us here on this earth without help and direction. God is a loving parent. A loving parent wouldn’t send his children away without instruction and a plan. I have been reading the words of President Hinckley and I feel his love for his Savior and for the people of the world. I will miss his instruction and his wit and his wisdom. I can’t imagine what he would have said if he had seen our family in church today, but I’m certain that it would not be harsh words. He would have a twinkle in his eye and a loving, witty comment to offer. I thank God for people like Gordon Hinckley. The world is truly a better place because he lived true and faithful to the end.
"No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."
One thing I will briefly touch because it cannot be glazed over is what happened in church today. I have always known that one day I would have a child that would run to the front of the chapel during church in which I would be forced to follow as all watched the show. Today was that day and Warrick was that child. Unfortunately this inevitable event happened when Glenn was filling in for the clerk on the stand and I was very pregnant and not very quick on my feet. He slipped from the pew. I lunged as much as I could, but it wasn’t enough. I started after him, but I was no match for his quick feet. We went across the front of all the onlookers and up the opposite isle. All I saw were hundreds of faces with big smiles – undoubtedly just glad it was me and not them. When we got to the back of the chapel I knew I would never catch him and I knew his speed was increasing and mine decreasing. I simply left the chapel in hopes that he would realize that no one was chasing him. He ran the next lap down one isle, across the front of the pew and up the other isle uncontested, but Glenn was there to get him in the end. Porter was on the heels of his dad and soon all four of us were out in the hall. Christian somehow got left on the stand where he was sitting with his dad during the meeting. I think Christian knew the show must go on and though his father was taking care of business, he would become the clerk. For those of you who don't know, the clerk basically gets a head count of how many people attended each Sunday. So while we were all out in the hall, Christian began counting the congregation. From the reports of people afterwards, he stood to see the back rows while he was pointing with his pencil and mouthing the numbers as he went. Needless to say, we once again provided more entertainment to our fellow worshipers than I feel comfortable doing.
Now for the biggest even of the night, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away just s couple of hours ago. I am sad, but at the same time I know he is happy. I know that he lives with God. I know that he was a prophet of God. I know that God does not leave us here on this earth without help and direction. God is a loving parent. A loving parent wouldn’t send his children away without instruction and a plan. I have been reading the words of President Hinckley and I feel his love for his Savior and for the people of the world. I will miss his instruction and his wit and his wisdom. I can’t imagine what he would have said if he had seen our family in church today, but I’m certain that it would not be harsh words. He would have a twinkle in his eye and a loving, witty comment to offer. I thank God for people like Gordon Hinckley. The world is truly a better place because he lived true and faithful to the end.
"No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."
Comments
Both my kids have been full of antics in sacrament meeting more than once. My daughter is an almost every weeker at that game. It is so embarrassing, but between her maturity level and her personality, she just hasn't even been able to fathom or respond to anything we've tried. Finally she's matured to the point that she gets that the consequences are going with the behavior, and she's been so much better in church lately. Oh well...
:)
Now...back to Biggest Loser. :)
Jeff referred to your blog in his testimony in sacrament meeting today. He echoed your comment of "Thank God for Gordon Hinkley". As for your swim meet, I see Dick Coston at the pool sometimes when I lap swim very early and am the only one there. He loves to reminisce about the "glory days" and always asks me to call you when they have a meet in Lehi, so I am glad you went. Maybe he will let me swim instead of chat... Good ole Dick.
Good job for swimming! I think I'm going to try water aerobics this week. It is hard to juggle exercise and kids as you probably well know. Tell Dick hi for me. Cedar wasn't in the meet that I saw, so maybe next season I can catch up with them.