Single Accomplishment

This was the third and final day of the singles conference. Despite the challenges of Friday night and Saturday morning I am very glad that I came to this. I was much more comfortable after lunch yesterday even more so when I met Karry Rathje and had a connection as being Pete's brother. It just made things easier.

I was hoping to pop into my friends today for the morning meeting but missed them so I sat alone. At first my row was empty and I thought that they might see me and sit with me but it filled in quick enough. Actually, I had seats open on either side - yes, I was flying solo. What is new? A single gal, funny, they were all single, this gal came and asked if seats were open to which I said yes and she sat on the end of the row, two chairs away from me. After the meeting I asked her name, just trying to be friendly and brave. Her name was Karen and we chatted a bit and then went to the lunch together. I found my other friends in our normal sitting area and Karen came up and joined us there. She lives in Vegas and has had to work for most of the conference. She has been able to attend the dances and then the meeting today but had to leave after the lunch to go back to work. She was very nice and I was glad she came to join us for lunch.

I wanted to say a few things about the Sacrament meeting. There was a host of brethren preparing and passing the Sacrament. I thought of a story President Armstrong told about how to catch a monkey. The monkeys hide up in the trees and watch the hunters come in. Usually four hunters go in together. The monkey sees this and counts one, two... many. After going in the hunters turn around and go out leaving one hunter in the forest. The monkey counts again as they go out; one, two... many. With this the monkey believes the danger is gone and comes out of hiding not realizing that there is one hunter still there. As I am typing this and pondering it a bit this may not have been monkeys but baboons. Monkeys may be the banana in a jug. Regardless the point here is the same. I started to count the number of brethren passing the Sacrament and essentially said one, two... many. There was somewhere between 35 and 45 brethren. It was rather impressive. Not only was it impressive but it was peaceful and rather spiritual for me. It was a nice meeting.

Elder and Sister Costa were great. They are from Brazil and they spoke with accents but had great English. They reminded me of Anna Patton in Florida and I thought about sweet Sister Patton who was such a great neighbor and friend there. Anyhow, I mention quickly that both Elder and Sister Costa mentioned the importance of Teachings of the Presidents of the Church President Kimball book, chapter 20 was very important and should be studied. I will have to find it. Perhaps I need to look that up soon as I have to speak in Church next week it may be a good one to go over and see if there is something there that relates. Elder Costa shared an amazing story. He joined the Church when he was 28. There are details of his conversion that I will not try to recall here as I will probably not get them right. Anyhow, he joined the Church, 2 weeks later he received a calling as Stake Singles Rep and was given an assignment to but on a singles conference. This included transport, housing and food as well as all the other activities. The conference was only two weeks away. Elder Costa talked about learning that things in the Church happen in two weeks It was pretty funny. Well, that is where he met Sister Costa. It was a neat story.

Another thing Elder Costa spoke about was some of his heroes. He spoke about Moses when he left Egypt. He spoke about Joseph running from Potiphers wife. He discussed Nephi saying he would go and do the things the Lord commanded. He spoke about Ammon and his missionary work amongst the Lamanites. He spoke about Mormon being called to lead the Nephites and a very young age. Then he said: "Do you know what the common thread is between all these men? They were singles when they did these great things. Elder Costa shared that the Singles are spoken of often by President Monson and the quorum of the twelve and other General Authorities. Singles do a great work for the Lord. It was a great point and it is one that certainly counters the adversary who would have me believe that I am not worthy to be there and that I am not good enough to participate. Not saying that I have had those feelings recently but they certainly did exist over the last couple of years of my life.

I have really enjoyed the weekend and being here with Jim and Clo. Natty, Jack and Andy have loved being here as well and they have really had fun. They have all tormented their Uncle Jim with noogies and other things. He has taken a few head rubs. I have enjoyed watching the kids play with their cousins and their Aunt and Uncle. Jack and Andy have both enjoyed a little snuggle time with Aunt Clora (Jack calls her that). Andy of course ran his fingers through her hair. What a wonderful time and blessing this has been for my kids. I am grateful for Jim and Clora watchig the kids and taking care of us while we were here.