People are more important than things. It is good for hard-core introverts like me to keep that in mind. I don’t think the inverse is true at all, but if you’re like me, things are more interesting than people. A personality perhaps even rarer, but for me abstract things — thoughts, ideas, ruminations and cogitations — captivate my attention the most.
But it’s more and more evident that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and other fruits of the Spirit manifest almost exclusively in interactions and relationships with people. And whatever else they are, one thing people are not is abstract!
Since our visas have been delayed, and we really don’t know how long we’ll be here, rather than finding reasons to pass up opportunities, we are getting involved with the people and activities of the Headquarters mission.
Notable this week:
FHE for the Data Quality Assurance and Source Records Preparation zones at the Holmes’ (mission president’s) residence — sandwiches and other good food, and a great discussion about the Holy Ghost afterwards.
To celebrate our 42nd anniversary, dinner out splurging with filet mignon — a treat we won’t be eating again for a while!
Choir practice learning some fun Christmas music.
Dinner and visiting with fellow India-bound senior couples, plus an Elder who served there 10 years ago with his wife doing humanitarian things. A very pleasant evening — we ate good Indian food and were introduced to something new — Lassi — a fruity (mango this time) yogurt-smoothie-like drink that’s apparently very popular.
Chili cook-off for which we served as judges, so got to sample all 10 of the entries.
A romantic getaway just up the hill at a bed-and-breakfast. A great capstone to our anniversary celebration!
Encountered on a walk: a distinguished-looking older gentleman with a neatly trimmed beard, walking his dog but stepping aside so we could pass, greeting us with a smile and a hearty “Good morning! How are you folks today?”
I hope to be that pleasant and cheerful when I get to be his age!
Other people power moves that warm my heart:
A friend’s or family member’s insightful and encouraging reply to a blog post. A senior sister in my zone asking for my help with a computer question. A very musical senior couple taking time to help me learn a difficult passage in a Christmas song. A kind dinner invitation from a loving sister, her daughter and family.
Up with people!
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