18 August 2024

Disciple didn't move, however our ward boundaries did. She attends the same chapel at the same time. She does have A LOT of new faces to put names to. She also has a NEW calling!!! She is a co-Activity Leader with another sister...Linda Burden. Disciple is in good hands!

This is our directive:Activity LeadersPrimary activity leaders minister to children as they plan service and activities beginning in January of the year children turn 8 (see 12.2.1.3). Service and activities focus on God’s work of salvation and exaltation. They are fun and engaging. They build testimonies, strengthen families, and foster personal growth."

So, we will be figuring things out for this and meeting all of the girls who will be participating.

Our lesson in Sunday School Was Alma 43-52, the War chapters! With that we discussed Ephesians 6:11-18 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Disciple found this interesting as yesterday she was explaining this to the youngest grandson. He has a fascination with her "armor," swords, mace, and various other things reminding her, and others that we are warriors, and need to put on the armor of God. To be prepared at ALL times. He particularly likes her swords and mace. So she had a short discussion about the armor of God. And today in Sunday School we really dove into this. No swords though.

We had a "Linger Longer" after Church. Chef prepared tortilla pinwheels with cream cheese and diced green chilies. They must have been a hit, as there were none left. That's always a bonus! And we were delighted with the party crashers!

Disciple was set apart for her new calling and is hoping to be a good influence on these young girls who are 8-11. We are new to this, but she remembers at that age she was taught embroidery, cooking, baking, crafting and so many other things she continues to help, and encourage others with, in The Hermitage. Now to incorporate that with gospel teachings and Christ. This will be exciting and fun.

When Disciple was growing up, Sunday was no different than any other day of the week, other than attending Church, which is different now than it was then. NOT that the doctrine has changed, but meetings have, etc. When she was a child, she attended Sunday School on Sunday morning, and Sacrament Meeting in the evenings. There were a few years that her step-father tried to forbid her from attending Church, but the Queen Mum interfered with that for the most part. She would drop Disciple off with her brother, then she would pick them up. Her step-father also made sure Disciple, and her brother, attended other religious groups, to be instructed "properly."

Then, in 1972, when she was in high school the Church began the "Three-hour block." She was in California; there were "gas" issues, this saved gas, time...anyway, Sacrament was first, then Sunday School. We could take the sacrament in both meetings, except on Fast Sunday. After the Sacrament meeting we had RS/Priesthood/YM/YW/Primary. This became the norm for decades, up until 2019 when we went to the two hour block.

So, in Disciples life growing up Sunday was only different because she went to Church. However, 50 years ago she decided Sunday should be a "special" day. It should be more than all the other days of the week. She should "DO" things differently. So she studied scriptures on the subject. Isaiah wrote in 58: "13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Moses said in Exodus 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

She thought a lot about how she could change things in her life so Sunday would be "different" from all the other days of the week. What could she do to make it more holy? She doesn't get crazy by her thinking, but others may think so. She never worked on Sunday, and when others in The Hermitage worked jobs that required working on Sunday, she told them to request it off. That was always honored. There is no shopping on Sunday. With a few exceptions there is no dining out on Sunday at restaurants. We don't do any swimming or boating. NOT that these activities are WRONG! They aren't. AND she doesn't look differently or criticize those who do these things. BUT for her, and those in The Hermitage, we have made other choices that work for us, and how we want things to be. We have gone hiking or for drives in nature. We don't listen to the radio in the car, nor do we watch TV shows that we would watch during the week. We have Movie Buff put on religious documentaries, videos or movies that bring in the spirit. She wears a dress. NOT because she has to. That is NOT a requirement. No one makes her wear a dress. She knows God loves her no matter what she is wearing. However, there have been non-church functions parties, activities, etc. where certain "clothing" is requested or suggested. It might be casual, black tie, cocktail, dressy. Maybe camping or hiking.

Things are FAR different from when Disciple was growing up. As a child she wore gloves to Church. Her mother wore a hat and gloves. Sometimes Disciple DOES wear a hat. She gets spunky and loves to do that. But the dress is something she "chooses" to wear. She "chooses" this because she WANTS the day to be different from the other days. She WANTS to "feel" different than she does on the other days. She wants God to know that she is choosing to be different. Choosing to make an effort to make Sunday a special day, a different day.

Disciple had suits for her boys when they were growing up at The Hermitage. They wore them to Church, or on other special occasions. These were not "play clothes," they knew the suits were important, and they felt "different" than they did in their play clothes or school clothes. The girls had dresses.

The clothing you wear reflects you, your attitude about what you are doing, where you are going, and how you are going to act. We make choices reflecting on, and with respect to those things.

Those in The Hermitage have tried to make Sunday a special day. A holy day. A day to show honor to God, and the Savior. A sacred day. We rejoice in the Sabbath day. We look forward to it, and resting from the things of the world. We hope you are having a blessed day.