Fasting with Friends

Fast Sunday was a winner.  We had loads of visitors today at church.  In the Sunday School class that Lindsey and I teach, we had 4 young ladies join us from Italy.  The lesson was on ordinances and covenants.  Something to review or new:  Ordinances are sacred actions in the church that allow us to gain access to the power of God.  There are two types of ordinances, savings or essential ordinances and non-saving, or spiritually nourishing, but not mandatory.  When a saving ordinance such as baptism is performed, along with it comes a covenant.  A covenant is a two-way promise with God.  The terms are set by Him and He will always hold his end of the bargain.  Therefore, the enactment of the promise is contingent upon our faithfulness.  Trivia - did you know that the sacrament is not considered a saving ordinance?

The most beautiful thing happened today.  One young lady in the class has been investigating the church for a few weeks and is scheduled to be baptized later this month.  During Sunday School she was scrupulously taking notes.  Puts the pressure on for the teachers, but also requires having our facts correct. Believe it or not, this young lady learned about the church by following an LDS family on their vlog (video blog) for a few months through YouTube, then searched out the meetinghouse on her own.

 

Simon's homemade pulley.  This is a scouter of the year!

 

Cal and Si practicing neckties.  Two types of knots, the Full Windsor is clearly the most substantial and only knot to be reckoned with.

 

Break the Fast and discussion with the Elders.  We love our friends: Gordon and Silvia Stevenson; Marianne, Philip and Anika Nielsen; Nikola, Georgia, and Olivia Gooch with their exchange student from Russia; Elder Whitt (Kansas), Smiler (New Zealand), Nibour (Utah).  Tonight's message - the Atonement.  It is actually night, 8:00 pm when this shot is taken. The sun sets around 10:30 or 11:00 pm.

 

 Olivia (15) playing a classical piece.

 

Philip (14) playing an Italian classic.

 

Simon playing Tug Boat or something.

 

Anika playing a jazz piece.

 

Georgia playing a classical piece.

 

Calvin playing an up beat beginners piece.

If my kids can become as good as these Scottish teens, I will be very pleased.  Such an example to have talented friends.  Happy Sunday!