Sunday Scribbles

Today I attended the deaf branch in Portland for Sunday meetings with my extended family.  There is such a special spirit there, and I find myself thinking about how many ways Heavenly Father communicates with us each time I attend that branch.  Some speak with their hands, some read lips, the hearing members do both at the same time, or use an interpreter.  It always reminds me of the time I spent in Peru - I did not understand the language, and no one could communicate with me without my son's interpreting assistance.  It was so frustrating!  Heavenly Father often tries to whisper to us through the spirit - sometimes we cannot hear Him, or we do not understand that we are being spoken to.  We can receive messages from Him during prayer, when we are quiet and He is ready to speak.  Other times, when we think we have not been heard and Heavenly Father is not listening (which, of course, is never the case), He will send someone into our path who will share with us exactly what we needed to hear - in the way that we need to hear it - so that we can understand fully that we are receiving revelation or an answer to a prayer.

I had this experience this past month as I was being visiting taught.  I have struggled with a heavy burden for some time, and have prayed for comfort, knowledge, and help.  Like all of us, I hoped that Heavenly Father would literally open the windows of heaven and send aid.  Instead, after months of pleading, He sent my visiting teachers.  Sister Konekoa doesn't know me very well, but was so obviously prompted to share with me a very personal experience from the life of her family.  The experiences she shared were a direct answer to my prayers, and provided me with great comfort, and hope. 

Today's sunday school lesson was about the same gospel message being taken to two different groups of people.  One group received the teachings of Jesus with anger, and stoned the messenger.  The second group, a more humble people, listened to the message, felt the spirit bear witness of the truth, and came into the gospel fold. 
My experiences today reminded me once again of how blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives, for the organization of the Church and inspired programs and leaders.  Hopefully, each of us will will keep our hearts open and humble, so that we can hear our Heavenly Father's voice, and take that spirit into the lives and homes of our sisters.