TALENT AND TESTIMONY

Last week we attended a talent show put on by the Jakarta Stake.  It was very well organized.  We were told that the doors would be closed at 9:45 with the start time at 10:00. Sure enough the event started 15 minutes early; unusual for Indonesia.  As we arrived young adults greeted us dressed in black tie.  We were able to choose our seating with young women helping us that were dressed in fairy tale attire.  Among the presentations were a professional looking movie, singing, Balinese and Chinese dancers, Hiphop artists, a ballet dancer, several singers and much, much more.  We had some other obligations to attend to and were unable to stay the full 5 hours.

On Friday through Sunday we were blessed to have the rare opportunity to have meetings with three Seventies.  In our church a Seventy is a calling that can be either Church-wide or area specific only.  Their purpose is to proclaim the gospel and to administer the affairs the church.  They usually do a significant amount of travel.  We had Elder and Sister Gonzalez visiting from Salt Lake, Elder and Sister Gong from Hong Kong and Elder Subandriyo from Indonesia.. 

Among the memories I have of three days of conference are the following:

Sister Gong said where they live in Hong Kong it is quite noisy.  Often they can’t hear each other from one room to another.  During the summer when she went home she had her hearing tested.  After the exam, the doctor said he had good news for her. Her ears were fine, but perhaps she needed to pay more attention.  She asked us in our relationships with others if we pay attention to what they are really saying and want to know what they are feeling.  She said in their marriage they play a game where they say “I love you because” and then go on to describe why they love each other.  She described how grateful she was to all who helped with the program, especially the mother of the choir pianist.  The pianist was a young man/teenager.  This made me feel good as I (Eileen) had been asked to play the piano spur of the moment and had played piano prelude for 40 minutes.  Sister Gong went on to describe how Jesus Christ loves all of us despite our sins.

Elder Gong described how he had visited three families that morning and had cried with them, each over different situations.  The gospel of Jesus Christ has the answer to all of life's challanges. Sometimes we cry with anger or frustration, sometimes we cry over joy and happiness.  Whatever our feelings, our Savior is aware.

Sister Gonzalez talked about when she had a major surgery and had received anesthetic.  Her body was paralyzed but she could still hear.  She tried to call out to the doctor to put her to sleep but he couldn’t hear her.  Finally she prayed with all her strength that she would be able to sleep through the operation. The next thing she remembers is waking up and the nurses telling her that everything went well. Sister Gonzalez reminded us that when we are in painful situations and think we can go on no more, to remember who cares about us most, and go to the Lord in prayer.  He knows our needs and will help us.

Elder Gonzalez talked about welfare principles.    He said to get rid of debt for it is the plague.  It is bondage.   In the olden days, slaves were put up for sale on the open market.  Today we put ourselves up as slaves by going to the market and buying things on credit.  He told the story about wanting an electric razor. It was quite expensive. He put it in his cart and walked around for one hour with it in his cart while his wife shopped. When she went through the cashier's line he went and put it back on the shelf.  He wanted it badly and it was his……for one hour.

Not only should the younger generation get an education but also the older generation can improve their skills.  Stay updated on whatever profession you are doing.  President Hinckley said that those that train their minds and hands are an honor to their families.

Lastly he recommended to be wise with purchases of food.  Save food instead of throwing it away.  (On a personal note we see many people in Indonesia going through the garbage and recycling many times over what has been thrown out. We can sometimes be a very wasteful). 

We were uplifted and taught well by the leaders at our conference.  We are grateful to have had the opportunity to be able to listen to them and greet them personally.

WELCOMING COMMITTEE AT TALENT SHOW

DIONDRA SUBANDRIYO DANCING

THE TIMER WENT OFF BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE CAME

NOW EVERYONE IS HERE

ELDERAND SISTER GONZALEZ

ELDER AND SISTER GONG