May 8

I am positive that one of the lessons I am supposed to learn on this mission is how to be patient. One other lesson is to do the best I can and then turn it over to the Lord.  I am not very good at either, but I am especially bad at I-have-done-my-best, now-the-Lord-will-do-the-rest".  When I have responsibilities I do them as perfectly as I can and then I panic until the responsibility is completed to my satisfaction.  Hard way to live.

To give all the YSAs in the stake an opportunity to sing in stake conference, we went to their chapels  two Sundays ago instead of asking them to come to our building.  If they come to ours it means an hour or more walk or quite a bit of money in bus fares.  Last Sunday's practice at the Samabula Ward was a good one, but not many of the YSAs from the other wards showed up which was disappointing.  The songs I chose have proven harder than I thought.  The Fijians are used to singing I Know that My Redeemer Lives a cappella so they do not sing the notes played by a piano.  It goes something like this:  the soprano sing the melody starting at any point on the scale not necessarily the one written in the hymn book, the tenors sing the melody an octave lower, once the song starts the altos and bass find notes that make a beautiful harmony, but again not the notes written in the hymn book. I thought this song would be easy.  Just a little practice and they would all be right on.  Au contraire.   No one had every sung Our Savior's Love which actually made it easier because no one was singing a wrong part, but is still taking more time to learn that I had imagined.  If the Savior Stood Beside Me they got right off, except they are having a hard time coming in when they should.

Well all of this is moot, because President Seru called this afternoon one hour before we were to be in institute teaching to inform me that at last, ten days before our stake conference, President Watson of our Area Presidency has sent us a theme.  Not only a theme but five (5) songs from which we are to choose the songs we sing for the Adult Session of conference.  WHAT?

President Seru was so cute.  When he called he asked me if I had had a good day.  Was I happy? My radar went up after the last question and instead of answering the question I asked, "Are you going to make me sad?"  He replied that he hoped not.  Then he told me that we needed to accommodate Pres. Watson.  Of the five, I chose Help Me Teach With Inspiration because it is short, and Come Unto Him because I liked the words.  I asked if I could keep If the Savior Stood Beside Me and President Seru agreed.  I had to then copy both songs before class as none of these YSAs have hymn books.  We practiced tonight with the Samabula YSAs after class, but it did not go well.  Both songs give them trouble, but bless their hearts they gave it there all for an hour and a half.  I am so grateful for Elder Jackson.  Besides being willing to accompany the choir, he comes to every practice, helps the tenors and basses sing their parts, and is so good natured about everything.  What a blessing he is to me and to the young adults.

We have determined to go out to Lami on Sunday to practice there as they have some really good male singers and the men were having the most trouble tonight.

Ten days?  Two new songs!  There is no way unless Heavenly Father helps.