Last Night we were able to get in contact with a pair of the missionaries here. They met us this morning and walked us to church! The church is downtown and is on the 3rd floor of a big building. It was an English speaking branch. It was so nice to feel of the spirit and be around something familiar. It is so true when people say that the church is the same everywhere. It was the same 3 hr. block and same lessons, everything was the same. There were only 5 kids in the primary, 3 of which were ours! There are 20 something sisters who are here to teach English. There were a few American and Canadian families that live here for their jobs. There were a few members that had been on missions to America, England, etc. who wanted to keep up their English.
When we got there and sat down, the girls were amazingly good! (normally kind of wild!) The branch president's wife was behind us and shared books, coloring pages, etc. One of the missionaries was also behind us and I would occasionally turn around and have him translate something to the girls so they would know what was going on.
When we started the opening song, I was so overcome with emotion, the spirit was so incredibly strong, I couldn't sing past the first half of the 1st verse. I could only seem to cry. I can not explain the emotions that overcame me. The talks were incredible.
After that, the girls and Garrett went to Primary. 2 sisters that were there for the English teaching program conducted and played the piano. When they found out I was the chorister they were really happy to recruit me for singing. It was really fun! There was a sweet Ukrainian sister that sat next to my girls and translated everything! So, we did head, shoulders, knees, and toes, popcorn popping, Autumn time, The wise man and the foolish man, Book of Mormon Stories, Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam and a bunch of others. When they did sharing time the same sister translated the entire thing to my girls! It was so great to see them in that setting. I left and went to Relief Society and left the kids in their class. The teacher later said that Garrett is so smart and had the answer to everything and the girls were good and even came up front to help out with some actions. As soon as it was over, they started running around and climbing over the couches and so on. It will take some time to train them, they are "wild", literally!
We are taking the missionaries to a cafe near our apartment tomorrow and they will teach the kids some basics about the church. It was so good to talk to people "like us" today, and we are looking forward to it tomorrow!
Well, we go tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. to the girls Dr. appts. then to drop off papers at the US consolate. Then go back the next day to consolate for Interview to get Visas. We have to leave for the airport on Wed. morning around 4:00 A.M. !!!!! Yikes! We pick up our tickets tomorrow and will have exact travel info posted on the blog tomorrow between 11:00- 2:00 your time. We do know that the plane gets in around 11:00 P.M. Wed. night.
We are so excited to be home and get the girls into our little "Utah Bubble" (as the Relief Society teacher today joked about!). Garrett is sick to death of all the smoke, beer, "inappropriate clothing".
Well, got to go, computer time is up! love you all!
Leah
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3 comments:
It's nice to be able to go anywhere in the world and know there is one place you will always fit in! Had that same experience in Italy Leah where crying was all you could do through sacrament. I know it's because our spirits know when we are near the Savior's people and it's such an overwhelming feeling to know they are all over the world! Can't wait to see you all. The shower is scheduled for noon on saturday. It should be so much fun! Be careful coming home!
Leah,
I read your post with tears running down my cheeks. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Iva and Barry
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