Will we ever catch up on sleep?

It was an exhausting weekend and yet absolutely wonderful! Saturday was full with preparations for the Sabbath. We had to rush out and get Alyssa something to wear for church as her luggage has yet to arrive. Thank-goodness for Kohls! Early that evening Alyssa and I went to the General Relief Society meeting and "Chocolate Extravaganza." It was wonderful to hear President Uctdorf speak. He is a favorite of Alyssa's. The wide variety of chocolate treats was incredible.

Later that night the door bell rang and at our bidding, Alyssa went to answer it. Surprise! There was Alyssa's former missionary companion, Shannon Egbert from Preston, Idaho. Shannon spent Saturday night with us. The girls stayed up late talking and playing "beauty shop." Shannon is a marvel at doing hair. Alyssa now has a cute cut and highlights. Once again we were short on sleep but what a way to go!

Alyssa, Claigh and I were at the Stake Center at 7:45 for Alyssa's report to the High Council. A young elder from the stake had just returned from the Arizona Mesa Spanish speaking mission so we got to hear two reports. It just doesn't get any better. Following the High Council Meeting, Claigh and Alyssa headed home to pick up Shannon for church and I headed for my class room to set up for Sunday School.

In Sacrament meeting, Alyssa spoke on obedience, faith and power. She shared how the three are interconnected. One of her earliest experiences in Portugal strengthened her resolve to be faithfully obedient. Alyssa did extensive work with members who were less active in church attendance. This was a work she truly loved. In her first week in Portugal she and her companion had been working hard all day looking for a member who had moved. It was getting close to the time for going home and they were tired and had been unsuccessful in any way for the day. There is a seven point process they needed to complete to find the person they were looking for. It would have been very easy to just stop and cut the day a bit short but they chose obedience and decided to work till the last minute. As a result, while they did not find the person they were looking for, they found Alice who was very excited to see them and wanted to hear the gospel message. Being new to Portugal, Alyssa felt very inadequate in speaking the language but she found that the Lord strengthened her enough to meet the need. For that few moments she was able to communicate with Alice. From this her testimony was strengthened in the truth that power comes through obedience and faith. This set the tone for the rest of her mission. She also noted that sometimes obedience is a result of faith and sometimes faith is a result of obedience. However, the promised blessing is "power."

"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them;" 1 Nephi 17:3

Alyssa and Claigh left following Sacrament Meeting to see Shannon off and I headed to teach my Sunday School class. I was so exhausted I wasn't sure that I could put thoughts together coherently. Earlier in the week there were those who suggested I could get a substitute for that day but I felt that if I was going to be there, it was my responsibility. Thanks to the teachings of my mom and dad, I just couldn't feel right about not being where I was committed to be. The result - a further testimony of that which Alyssa had spoken in church. That 45 minutes was truly the brightest of my day. I was very alert and able to present as I had prepared. Comments from the class contributed to the teaching. (We have a remarkable ward.) As the amen to the closing prayer was said, fatigue washed over me again.

"And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." Moroni 7:33 (another scripture from Aly's talk)

I know that our Heavenly Father is mindful of our every day needs and is ever ready to respond to the prayers of his children. I know the Savior lives. I know the power of healing in his wings. I am grateful for the gift of the Spirit. I am grateful for young people who put the world aside to serve and love whomever the Lord calls them to minister to. I am thankful for Alyssa's mission. I am thankful to have her home again.