sundays in a different ward

Sometimes it takes going somewhere else to appreciate what you have got right in front of you. Sometimes when you go away you look at things with new eyes--that was the case on Sunday.

My nephew was having his missionary farewell. Let me just say how proud i am of him and his choice to serve the Lord and the people of New York for the next two years. He has already started his journey of growth in deciding to go, and i know it will only continue the next couple of years and will make him a better man. He gave a wonderful talk as did the other young man who is also leaving for a mission. They spoke on choice and accountability and did a great job--it was too bad that so many in the congregation didn't feel the need to listen.

Being in another ward you are an outsider looking in. You are there as an observer since you have few ties with anyone there. I like to watch people--it is a habit of mine--the funny thing is that my children were watching others as well. After church we compared notes on things we saw--and let's just say we were appalled at some of the "choices" that were being made by those around us. I am not here to say i/we are perfect by any means. It made me think of my own behavior and how i act when i am at church. Am i there partaking of the lessons and the spirit or am i merely filling a seat? What would people say that are watching me--would i be appalled at my own behavior if someone reported back to me on what they observed? It really made me reflect and think.....

In our church we invite the children to come into our worship meetings. They are not always perfect but through the years they come to understand that there is a time and a place to be reverent. It is not something that happens overnight--but more than anything else they learn through the example of others--through watching others and what is appropriate behavior.

I have come to the conclusion now more than ever that phones have no purpose at church. I leave mine at home as do my kids, but.....those around us felt the need to have them out--playing games, deleting text msgs-sending txt msgs and looking at pictures (this was more than one person in our general area)I realize we think we are a generation of multi taskers but it does appear rude that we can't focus and concentrate on the person who has taken the time to prepare and give a talk....
There was a camera that was pulled out of a purse and the pictures were being reviewed with the row...my children caught this one
There was alot of primping that was being done around us--makeup applied--hair being done--on the adults as well as on several children. They did look cute when the mom's finished with the little girls--but with it being afternoon and all, I figured their was time to have done that before the meeting. My attitude is if it doesn't happen by the time we walk out the door then it just doesn't happen--i got the feeling that appearances were important here. I felt sad about that-we should all be there to partake of the spirit and not feel judged by what we are wearing or how our hair is done--or not.
The largest distraction occurred during the sacrament--and both my husband and myself had thought the same thing and shared it with each other after the meeting was over. There were three woman/girls sitting in front of us. They proceeded to talk about everything and everything throughout the entire administration of the sacrament. I could see that one was a mom and she was sitting with her daughters. My husband on the other hand thought it was just three teenage girls---and was about to say something but thankfully didn't (would have been a tad bit embarrassing if he had)So my question is how do we teach our children that there is a time to be reverent when we don't even acknowledge it as the adult? It was frustrating. I just wanted to feel the peace that comes with taking the sacrament.
So it made me think about my own behavior--what do i do that can distract from the spirit to those around me? What do i need to change? The only person we can change is ourselves--I hope I can be a good example for those around me and my own children--after all that is what we primarily learn by--good or bad......