A Very Special Weekend

Well, I think I've rested as much as I can, just in time for a semi-busy, and very important weekend. I spent time in my bed since Wednesday night to Friday afternoon, sleeping as much as I can, trying to kick this nasty cold. I can't remember the last time I had such a bad cold accompanied with coughing, blowing my nose every five minutes so that it's now raw, a sore throat that felt like it was on fire the first few days...ugh. I'm definitely on the mend, but I'm still congested and am gonna need some time to fully feel back to normal.

On Thursday, despite feeling quite miserable, I had a ticket to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. I bought the ticket weeks ago through NYU, and I've been wanting to see this show since I was probably 12 years old. I grew up in a household where the music of Phantom was played so often that I know nearly every word to every song. I fell in love with the music then, and can't believe I saw it for the first time just now. It was about time. So, I got myself out of bed, put on some nice slacks and a sweater, packed my bag with travel packs of Kleenex, cough drops and water, and took myself to the Majestic Theater in Times Square. Luckily, I had a seat next to a wall, so I could turn and cough or blow my nose (which I only did during applause or loud music, to be respectful of others). I knew my seat wasn't going to be that close to the stage, so I brought binoculars (yes, I own a pair, knowing I would never have close seats to any show), and I'm glad I did! It was so great to see the whole stage from afar, but then to also get to see the characters' faces up close added to the whole thing. Phantom is such an old production, or long-time running, that I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I think if I saw this musical back when I was younger, it would've been more impressive. Don't get me wrong, it was still amazing. I'm so glad I got to go, finally.

Yesterday, I also got myself out of bed and dressed up for a very special occasion. One of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder David Bednar was here, live and in person, to speak to the single adult population of the church. Lots other people that don't necessarily fit that category also showed their faces, naturally. Who would miss it!? He is such a powerful speaker (as they all are). Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Seventy was also here to speak. I should rephrase that, though. Neither of them really came to speak to us, but rather, they opened the evening up by saying they were not here to give talks, but to have a Q & A session instead. That was the rumor going around, so I kinda expected it. I guess that's Elder Bednar's style he is known for. It was pretty cool to hear sincere questions, ones that I would've asked myself, given that I fall in to the same age group and state of life of others in the room. And Elder Bednar said he likes doing these Q&A's with our age group, because the questions asked are usually genuine and sincere. Afterwards, he and Elder Clayton stayed to shake everyone's hand that wanted to. They probably stood up there for an hour, easy, and shook hundreds of hands, mainly because they care that much and know how much it would mean to everyone there. I got to shake both those brethren's hands, and to Elder Bednar I told him I appreciated what he said about church being about the Sacrament. My comment was in response to his comment to a question regarding the people who fall into the "mid singles" category of the church. A girl stood up and basically asked him, "what about us?". She stated that she's had friends who have stopped going to church because they don't feel like they fit in anywhere in the church, post Singles ward era. I loved Elder Bednar's response to her, which was basically summed up in my comment to him. Church is about the Sacrament. It's not about who is going to be there, or what I should wear to catch someone's attention. To me, the core issue I have with Singles wards is just that--they create this false sense of what church is about. Have I been grateful for the instant group of friends I've had, anywhere and everywhere I have moved? Yes. Have I felt comforted because I have been surrounded by people who are in the same stage of life that I have been in, because I feel like I can relate to them in many ways? Yes. But is that why I go to church? No. I go to church to learn the gospel, to be strengthened, to take the Sacrament and renew my baptismal covenants. I will soon be "aging out" of the Singles ward phase in my life, and I am not worried one bit about feeling like I do not belong. I belong because I am a follower of Christ.

Today is another great opportunity to dress up and attend something very special. My friend who I met back in November, when he first started coming to church to check out what it had to offer him, is getting baptized. I had the special opportunity on a few occasions to talk to him about the gospel, one on one. I could tell that he was truly and sincerely seeking to know the truth. I'm so grateful that I was able to share with him my thoughts and feelings on the gospel, and so grateful that we've become friends during his conversion process. And I'm so excited to attend his baptism tonight. (p.s. I also got to witness my friend shaking the hand of an apostle last night. My friend asked Elder Bednar advice for someone who is about to get baptized. Elder Bednar told him two things: 1. Don't get mad--people will do stupid things, but don't get mad, and 2.) You're an agent, not an object, which he spoke about that night. We have the power to act, not to be acted upon. I thought that was a pretty cool thing to witness).

And tomorrow, as usual, I'll have another chance to dress up and attend something very special. It happens each week, and I couldn't be happier about it. I get to attend church and partake of the Sacrament, which is what all of this is all about.