Sunday, August 03, 2008

Sunday Thoughts


Today was such a fantastic day at church, I am so thankful that I was there! Our testimony meeting was a 10-tissue affair for me as so many wonderful things were said. One of the speakers mentioned how it used to bother him as a kid when adults would bear their testimony and say how much they loved everyone. He didn't understand how this was possible since they didn't know him personally. I totally understand that feeling of love and have it for my ward and especially for the primary kids.

All the Young Men (ages 12-18) were gone on a Scout 50 mile hike this past week. So many of the leaders got up in testimony meeting to share their experiences and testimony of the gospel. It was tremendous. A couple of the boys talked about how unified they became and how they served each other. Particularly on the last morning when one of the boys became very ill. All the other boys distributed things from his pack so that he wouldn't have to carry anything. The 13 year old boy who related this story sincerely said, "I got to carry some of his things." Their packs already weighed over 30 pounds each, so this could have been a burden for them, but instead was an opportunity to serve.


Another boy said "All of our prayers were answered this week." (How wonderful is it that this 12 year old boy gained such a testimony of prayer this past week?)

One mother I talked to after church said, "We prayed them through this week." She had her husband and 3 of her sons on that hike and felt a tremendous responsibility and concern for all the boys who went. It takes faith to send your kids out on something like that, but it sounds like there were absolutely no regrets. Multiple leaders said, "They came back different, they're more like men now." Another leader said, "If you think this was about a hike, you're wrong."

**What do you think?
Do you have a testimony of prayer?
Have you ever prayed yourself
through a rough week?**

17 comments:

Tasha said...

I have goosebumps after reading that. Some testimony meetings are like the one you described, others, not so much, ya know? I have a stong testimony of the power of prayer. I know that because my prayers are always answered. The answer is sometimes, well, more than I would like, a resounding "no", but I know I have been listened to. I have prayed through a rough patch, a rough week, hour, 10 minutes. I can't imagine not having prayer to get me through.
Thank you for that Sunday Post Jill.

Marie said...

Excellent! I am so glad the YM had such a positive experience. That is something that they can hold onto and reflect on.

Great!

patsy said...

wow- I love sundays like that!
those are powerful

great thoughts- I love the scouting program at work. My boys & husband have benefited so much from it & me too. It's a lot of work, but so good for the male folk....

Amie said...

I always feel like this when I go to church (too bad we quit). I love hearing so many insightful things to help me get through the week.

I have a very strong testimony of prayer... I have prayed through many rough spots and I have no idea what I would do with out it. I feel like I do pray always and many of my mental conversations are prayers.

Mrs. McDaniel said...

jill,

wow! your post brought tears to my eyes! Thank you so much for sharing!

Natasha said...

I think this is an awesome story and yes, I have prayed myself through a rough week many times.

Thanks for sharing this!

Elizabeth said...

I love feeling just full after a fast and testimony meeting.

Bond Girl 007 said...

I have many thoughts like Amie, althought lately, they are more infrequent and I don't know missy....its been rough!

Cecilia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cecilia said...

I love testimony meetings! Specially when kids and teens get up there and share their feelings. They were such a inspiration today at my ward.

I can't wait for Tiago to start the scouting program. I know it's a lot of work, but I also know it will be good for him and our family.

michelle said...

This is so great, Jill. I feel like we had a similar scenario in my ward yesterday, with everyone talking about girls' camp in much the same way. It was incredible, and I just love it when we have a meeting like that.

I have definitely prayed myself through a rough week, a rough day, a rough month or year. Don't know where I'd be without it.

Holly said...

I really like what you shared about the boys' perspective after the hike and the parents' praying them through. Powerful.

j said...

this is a great post. i don't even have words for a comment other than i really like your thoughts and their faith. :)

jenn said...

We had more kids under 8 bear their testimonies than everyone else combined. Sweet, but not real inspirational.
Just going to church does so much to rejuvenate me though so it was still a good day.

becca said...

What a great post, and what a great Sunday for you.

I have such a strong testimony of prayer, and I love to hear others bear testimony of it also. What a great experience for those boys.

Laurie said...

This is quite similar to one of our recent sacrament meetings. Our youth had just returned from a 3-day trek and their stories of serving others when they really needed it were the most inspiring. It's times like that that I really miss being in the YW program. The youth are so full of life, still like children in many ways.

I love your Sundays posts and always look forward to them.

Missy said...

Sounds beautiful. We were camping this weekend and got permission from the bishop to have our own sacrament meeting. It was so awesome! Just our family and that beautiful setting. I love making those memories. Glad you had a good one, too. :o)