Enrichment Night

CHARITY NEVER FAILETH

**Quit groaning, this is not an exhortation to devote more time to the poor and needy. Surely you all know me better than that, even though Charity is my middle name. (Said with all the sarcasm that my self-criticism can deliver) I just want to journal a wonderful experience the ladies of my ward shared yesterday evening. It was the annual Relief Society Birthday dinner, and we invited the sisters only. Some men grumbled but, honestly, do they really, sincerely care that Relief Society has been around for 160+ years? I think not. To begin the evening, we met in the RS room to hear a special musical program presented by a women's choir of 15 women in the area. It's not a large room so we were quite close to the choir. I had to sit on the front row, which was great for me. The program consisted of songs and dialog taken from scriptures and church history. Some of the songs were "The Pure Love of Christ" and "Charity Never Faileth" by Julie and Lex De Azevedo, "Sisters in Christ" (you may have heard this sung by Gladys Knight), and "As Sisters in Zions." Truthfully, I haven't always loved "As Sisters in Zion," but it is growing on me; and this choir had mastered it. I liked their rendition of "Sisters in Christ" even better than Gladys Knight's, and hers is very good. They ended the program by singing "We Rejoice." It is such a triumphant anthem to the glory of the gospel and God's love for us. A truly fitting ending. I know most of the audience were choked up and I saw some tears from the performers as well. On the back of the program was printed this quote:

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels, in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite." Thomas Carlyle

It really did seem that we had just heard angels sing to us. I know everyone who was priviliged to attend left feeling a little closer to divinity. We all need to look for these kind of experiences to refill our lamps in a world that is so draining.

My Visual DNA

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MOOD: SOFISTICATE

You can be both calm and peaceful, and you like to feel free to explore your environment. You can be a little nostalgic and you love revisiting familiar places and memories. (Really, I always want to go somewhere new.) When it comes to art, you're definitely unconventional. You appreciate precison and hard work. As for music, You're a discerning (Oooh, I like that) listener - romantic and passionate. (ditto) You love the buzz you get from watching music live - there's nothing like it. Your choice of treat shows you love being a little bit naughty. Being good all the time is a bore. You've got a good sense of fun and maybe an infectious giggle. (Is this saying that I'm a saucy wench?)

FUN: ESCAPE ARTIST

You really value your 'quiet time' - to recharge and reconnect with yourself. You're not afraid to take yourself away from people and explore your imagination. (It's so true) For kicks you like to indulge in your great passions. You are probably happy spending time alone, and your drive and curiosity will take you all over the world. When it comes to holidays, you'll take experience over comfort every time, whether under canvas or under the stars. (Whatever. Give me a Hilton next to that beautiful scenery.) You love the chance to be in the wilderness and the freedom of being in charge of where you're heading. (I love the wilderness as long as I don't have to sleep there. Being in charge is highly overrated, but as long as Cheya's done all the research on the best places to go, I'm okay. In our family, no one is in charge.) What grosses you out? You like people to be well-groomed, with a tight bod and heaps of sex-appeal. (Everyone but myself) Wobbly bits and hairy areas are a complete turnoff. (Aren't they trivializing the total grossness of that fat, hairy back?)

HABITS: JUNKIE MONKEY

Even if you have a healthy approach to life, you still have your vices and a craving hunger drives your needs! (Well, that's not very flattering.) So you'll supersize it, you love convenience and that taste . . . (Guilty) Clean and pure - your choice of drink shows that you care about your health and make sure you're putting the right stuff in. (I try) As for the home, you have a very cool and contemporary taste. It's not just about function - your environment has to be as stylish as you are. (I just really like the windows, but I can live with stylish. Wish I was.)

LOVE: HOME SOUL

You're a real home soul. You care deeply about family life and all that comes with it, the love a child is very special. (Am I getting fixated on this new grandbaby?) When you think of freedom - you think of living for the here and now. (Yeah, but's what's gonna happen to me in the next life??) You're pretty fearless and take any opportunity given you. (Snort!!)

This was a fun exercise, and some things are pretty true. To be very honest, I almost chose the guy reading on the toilet as a treat. It just tickled me. And I had a hard time deciding on my favorite holiday and scenery. I've enjoyed seeing this on some other blogs as well. Hmmm, I guess I never really knew your guys.