I am preparing music for an upcoming multi-congregation conference (Stake Conference). A youth choir will be singing this number, which I sang as a teenager and was touched by the message. Enjoy!
Come Unto Him
Arranged and Accompanied by Marshall McDonald
Vocals by Laura Harper
For Stake Conference (a multi-congregation meeting in October for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) I have been asked to put together a youth choir and prepare two musical numbers. This is one of them!
Hear and Hearken:
Words by Gerald Lund
Music by Lynn Lund
Vocals by Laura Harper
Hello friends! This week in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, my youngest son and I read about a dragon hatching (shhh- Hagrid has been hiding an illegal dragon egg in his hut!). Harry was there with Hagrid for the last few seconds as the dragon emerged and we delightedly read about the adventures that followed.
It got me thinking about things in our lives that take a really long time to hatch (unlike the story!). When you have a good idea and you pursue it, sometimes it feels unreasonable when it takes SO MUCH LONGER than you had planned on! When we moved to our current little town 14 years ago, we talked about building a house, but the time wasn’t right and we decided to move into a cute little duplex for a year. After about a year, we talked again about building a house, but for various reason we decided to buy a house that would be another step in the direction of our dream house. My husband spent hours creating floor plans and preparing for the day we would build. A few years later we found a piece of land that was perfect and we purchased it. About 7 years ago, we got really serious about building, but a new responsibility for my husband required us to wait, which we did. I could tell you about a lot of other steps, but it would probably be boring for you so I’ll spare you…but I don’t have the end of the story yet to tie this up. However, we have lined up excavators and concrete guys for this fall, and we’re moving towards framing in the spring! And just like that- the dragon is hatching. Perhaps someone getting to know me for the first time this summer could feel like Harry, arriving at the scene and witnessing the action right as it begins to move. For us, the egg just needed a looooooooong time to incubate!
I do have to add that even though I have had my frustrations, I can see that our delays have been a blessing. Even so, we are ready for this dragon to hatch- and we’re excited to watch as the process unfolds!
Love,
Laura
Today an amazing woman named Patricia Holland, known to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, finished her time on earth and returned to her heavenly home. As I read about her life, I was touched by this quote:
Pat’s faith in Jesus Christ blessed the entire Church. At a worldwide devotional for young adults earlier this year — broadcast from her native St. George, Utah — she offered young adults a simple approach to the religious life: “Please have faith in God, hope that He will help you, and receive the charity that enables Him to work through you to accomplish what only you can do.”
“You can’t get these blessings by chasing them,” she concluded. “Please stop running to the point of exhaustion. Be quiet. Be still. Simplify. Be meek and lowly of heart and pray. I testify that miracles will come when we slow down, when we calm down and when we kneel down. All that the Father has can one day be yours. What a truly hopeful way to face your future.”
Source: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/patricia-terry-holland-obituary
Slow down, Calm down, Kneel down. Such good wisdom to live by! 🙂
Love,
Laura
It was 9:20 a.m. on the dot. I waved to the 2nd graders as they filed raucously out of my music classroom. Transitions aren’t my specialty, but I was on-time getting them back to their teacher and I was happy about that. Plus I got a few hugs on the way out, which is always a bonus. I ate my snack to tide me over till lunch. Teaching music is a little like doing jumping jacks for several hours at a time so I burn a lot of calories. When I was satisfied I wandered down to Mrs. Gill’s room, hoping she would be free for a few minutes. I had mentioned to her earlier that week that I may drop in to pick her brain about strategies for classroom management and behavior at some point and she had told me “anytime.” I was ready to take her up on the offer.
Mrs. Gill was shepherding the last few stragglers out toward recess. They had a hard time leaving as they were petting a black lab who, i found out, was a weekly visitor. I hung around to pet the black lab and lingered long enough to tell if I’d be able to catch Mrs. Gill for a minute. I didn’t want to ask a favor of her in her few minutes of quiet so I turned to leave when she said, “Hey, didn’t you have a question you wanted to ask me?” I told her that I did, but I was wary of using up her break time. She enthusiastically responded that this was a great time and that I was welcome to come chat anytime. Was it her warmth or the pent up emotions or just being with an adult for the first time that morning that made me open up so quickly? Probably all three. I was feeling overwhelmed and my confidence was shaky. How do I handle challenging behaviors- ones that don’t respond to my typical strategies? And when do I call for help? And really, am I going to be able to do this? That was the real question on my mind. I had been helping out in the music room for several months, but it had been on a week to week basis. Now I had committed to the last few months of school and I was feeling in way over my head. I knew I had a lot to offer, and I knew the kids were enjoying music class, but I was exhausted and tense that week, and I needed some encouragement to keep going.
That is exactly what Mrs. Gill offered. She invited me to sit in her rocking chair where she said she invites any teacher to sit when they come talk to her. I told her what was on my mind, and mostly she listened, with a few interjected “you’re not the only one that feels that way” and “what is it that is not working?” and “you’ve got this girl.” I walked out five minutes later feeling so much better and marveling at the magic I just experienced. There is no doubt this woman has a gift of nurturing- not just students but adults as well. But beyond that I was fascinated by how quickly my load felt lighter and I was able to continue on with my responsibilities.
Don’t we all need people to share our load? Mrs. Gill reminded me that day that it doesn’t take much. She offered 5 minutes, a rocking chair, and a listening ear. And it was just what was needed.
MELODIES OF LIGHT 