I know that my email last week was really short, I type very slowly and try to really think about every word that I use. I'm trying to write stuff down throughout the week that I can talk about but It would all take so long! I have so much to say and I can't! Which leads me to this.
Learning a new language has been difficult for me for different reasons than I expected. Sure, I can memorize things and learn grammar rules etc. Whats been really difficult is "dumbing down" my language. I've created the habit of being very specific with the words I use in English. I like to use the best words that I know, the best way I that know how. I'm don't say to much but I try to make sure when I do say something it has meaning. It's just been kind of frustrating to have to basically reduce my vocabulary to an elementary level. I thought about it for a while. First, could you imagine being an eternal being, using eternal language, and having your mortal children talk to you in their mortal "wordly" languages. How patient does our Father in Heaven have to be to listen to us? Second, using simpler language means I have had to simplify the way I think about the Gospel, and the things I learn. It's quite interesting, simplifying the Gospel hasn't decreased my testimony, in fact, I feel very close to our Heavenly Father. Which brings us to another topic.
At the Tuesday Devotional we sang Sweet Hour of Prayer. It was a beautiful peace, and I loved singing it. Our conductor Brother Egget is amazing and always knows how to help us connect with the song so wonderfully. When a song actually means something to you it's so much more powerful. He talked about the origin of the song, and I can't quite remember the full story but it went something like this. There's an old man sitting in a chair next to a fireplace. He's had a difficult life, but he's happy. He starts to recite a poem, he's trying to explain why he feels the way he does. "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care". This had such an effect on me I could hardly sing when he brought us in. We came in late so that's all I really understood from the story. Brother Egget talked to us about a near death experience his wife had, her low blood pressure caused her to have a series of strokes after she had her wisdom teeth removed. He said "It's experiences like that, that really makes this song mean something to you." I haven't quite had something like that happen, but I thought of my family. We had that kind of prayer for a while. I love the words in that song, you should look at them.
Another experience. This happened a few weeks ago but its still one of my favorite stories. President Taylor in our branch presidency has a wonderful way of speaking. He talks so quietly but in such a captivating way you hang on to every word he says. He used some stories from the New Testament. I love the way he takes the stories and breaks them down so beautifully. The story that I remember best is Luke 13 11:11-13.
11 ¶ And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
Its 3 short versus but there is so much information! He began by explaining the woman's infirmities. Dad might understand and be able to explain this better, but in essence she had been bent over for so long her bones had fused together, she literally couldn't even look up. Could you imagine staring at the ground for 18 years? She had to pay to get into the synagogue, I'm fairly certain she didn't have to much money. Do you think she sat up front or in the back? How much faith did she have to have to go to church every week knowing she was being mocked and teased? She was only there to listen, she couldn't look up. She sat at the back of the congregation which was probably over 300 people. Next verse. "And when Jesus saw her", how did he see her? She was short, and hidden behind a group of 300 people, how did he pick her out of the group. The only sensible answer is that Jesus felt her spirit there. And so as he's preaching he calls her down. Do you think it was easy for her to walk down the isle? Was she quick? I'm sure every eye was on her as she slowly and clumsily walked down the isle. What do you think she was thinking? She certainly hadn't known Christ would be there, she might have even wondered who it was that was beckoning her. And yet she did it. I love this woman. What might be the most incredible part is that she doesn't praise the one who heals her, but praises her God. Just ponder this verse, ask questions. There are so many other stories like this. Jairus and his daughter, the woman with the blood problem. Christ is at the center of all of them, but look for how the people used their faith.
Love,
Elder Chan
