Sunday a day of rest?

Sundays can be so crazy. I have to remind myself that Sundays are a day of rest from worldly concerns, but not necessarily a day for a nap although I try really hard to squeeze those in, too.

On Thursday, Brother Fife called to ask if I would give a talk for THIS Sunday. The funny thing is that I almost prefer the late invitation rather than have two weeks warning because I get to live blissfully ignorant of my impending nervousness :). Of course, I still saved preparation until Saturday night because procrastination is the best kind of preparation [insert eye roll and forehead slap here]. Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy. My talk was on the Great Apostasy (after Christ and all of his apostles were killed or removed from the earth), and it was surprisingly hard to research. Most conference talks I read dealt with the Apostasy for a paragraph, and then the rest of the talk was dedicated to the Restoration of the gospel and the priesthood. I guess it makes sense. I think it is kind of like when we talk about the crucifixion, we also always teach about the resurrection; one can't go without the other. But it still makes it kind of hard to prepare a talk about the apostasy :). I found some wonderful talks: one by Elder M. Russell Ballard and the other by Elder Richard G. Scott. Elder Scott explained that apostasy can also be an individual state. His general conference address really moved me. At the beginning he siad that because we're spiritual children of a divine Father in Heaven then we seek spiritual guidance. I love that! Of course, we would! In times of trouble and confusion we turn to our Creator. And because he is our Father, he nourishes us through the light of Christ, the Holy Ghost, scriptures, priesthood, prayers, the atonement and repentance, commandments and covenants, and prophets. But my favorite line was from Elder Ballard's talk. He said, "And how do you [gain] a testimony? Well, there’s no new technology for that, nor will there ever be. You cannot do a Google search to gain a testimony. You can’t text message faith. You gain a vibrant, life-changing testimony today the same way it has always been done. The process hasn’t been changed. It comes through desire, study, prayer, obedience, and service. That is why the teachings of prophets and apostles, past and present, are as relevant to your life today as they ever have been." Some really great stuff in those talks, and I never ceased to be amazed how much I learn and I am blessed as I serve in the Church! I had a funny moment during the middle of my talk. Not a funny, ha ha ha moment isn't Cindy clever, but a moment where I realized I had been up there awhile and hadn't looked up from my notes even once. So, I did quick glance, smiled, and remembered to unlock my knees :).

Crazy. Crazy. But, I had been running since I first woke up. Early Sunday morning, Chris poked her head into my room and asked me if I had changed my clock for Daylight Savings. No!, I hadn't. I thought I had an hour and a half before church, but actually only a half an hour to get dressed and review my notes and pack for the day. Oh yeah, I had a Sunday School lesson for my Family History class. It's only a seven week course, and yesterday we started a new session. I've had a few weeks off so I needed to gather together the new roll sheet, and my scriptures and manual, and the students' manuals, and the DVD. Which is when I remember the library lost the remote to the DVD player, and I hope they've replaced it by now.

Of course, this is in addition to my talk. And choir. Did I mention choir yet? I love choir, though. It's a place where I get to hang out with friendly people, we joke, we make beautiful music, and everyone accepts you no matter how well you sing. Dad came and picked me up and we actually got there on time. I'm pretty sure it was a fluke and never to be repeated again :).

Full day. I guess, Sundays help me be excited for Monday and its divorces, wills, sale agreements, collections, and estates! Hope you had a restful Sunday too :).