Faking It

October 24, 2021.  

Email #4.

 

Dear loved ones,

 

It was a big week at BYU-H this week.  A new BYU president (John Kauwe) was inaugurated. He is the eleventh president but the first president to be native Hawaiian. 

They held a luncheon on Monday to honor him. Many dignitaries came to Laie for this event.  Our ukulele teacher asked for the members of our class to be the “prelude” music as the guests were entering the ball room for the luncheon.  I debated with myself whether I should be part of the ukulele performance because I had only attended three classes and didn’t have the songs memorized.  Two of the songs were in the Hawaiian language and I just didn’t know them yet.  I was fairly comfortable on the ukulele and felt that I could do reasonably well with that but not the singing part.  In the end, I decided to go and was glad that I did.  Here are those in attendance that are particularly worth mentioning.  Elder Holland, Elder Christopherson, Jean Bigham, Henry Eyring the third, President and Sister Walker and many others whom I did not know their names.  It was very fun to have them stop where we were playing and listen to us play and sing.  They appreciated the music before going into the building even though we were not very good. That is a sign of a truly gracious person.  I felt of their spirits and was so glad that I had chosen to participate.  I actually faked it rather well.  We had to wear masks so I only sang the parts I knew.  I was reflecting on it later that day and the thought occurred to me—What else in life am I faking?  I want to be a genuine disciple of Christ and not a fake but do I fake things some times?  Do I fake studying the scriptures by hurrying through them and not taking the time to really study them?  Do I fake being kind when in reality, I am thinking other thoughts about the person I am talking to?  Do I fake my prayers by rushing through them and by not being as sincere as I should be?  I doubt that we can fake getting into the Celestial Kingdom.  The events and patterns leading up to that must be real and sincere.  I don’t want to be a fake.  I want to be one of those people who are the “real deal”. 

 

It was President Kauwe’s actual inauguration on Tuesday.  You had to have a tickets to get into the meeting so I watched it at home on line and Scott watched it at his work.  It was very nice with some very good talks—Elder Holland being one of them.  Afterwards, they had a parade for the new president.  At the end of the parade, there were several groups that performed for him and his family.    The ukulele class again played and sang a couple of songs.  We didn’t have to wear masks this time and it was much harder to fake it.  What was unexpected was that there were hundreds of people gathered around to watch the performances.  We were told we would just be playing and singing as the vehicle drove past us.  I’m still glad I participated even though—like yesterday—I had to fake it.  

 

I had a disappointment early in the week.   I was called to go to the warehouse because of some questions about doing inventory last week.  The person in charge of the warehouse (Jen) has been gone for a couple of weeks and we were not told exactly how to mark the boxes after the items inside were counted.  My partner and I marked the top of the box and not on the label.  After we explained our method, we were told that all the work we did last week would need to be done again.  I asked why they just couldn’t use the number that we had written on top of the box.  I didn’t understand her answer—only that the whole thing would have to be done again.  So—my six hours of standing and sweating last week was all for naught.  OK—so I did fake it there.  My acceptance and half smile was not REAL at all.  Yes—I have some work to do!

 

We had a couple of very slow days at the ukulele store.  But “slow” isn’t uncomfortable for me anymore because I have a relationship with my co-workers and I can chat and ask questions and learn ukulele as well as other things from them.  I enjoy everything about the “ukulele experience” so much more than I used to. It’s nice to finally feel like I am a part of things. 

 

The Cottrells came into the store one day this week—they are a visitor’s center missionary couple.  While Sister Cottrell was purchasing a ukulele, Elder Cottrell and I began to chat.  He mentioned to me that he and his wife have spiritual experiences every day working there at the visitor’s center. I have to admit that I was very envious of the work they get to do.  It is so different than what I am doing here.  I hope that somehow, somewhere, I can also make a difference in someone’s life.  Most days it just feels like work and that it really doesn’t matter that I am here. But then I remind myself that I am here to serve in whatever way I can.  AND—I am not making poi for eight hours a day.  We are praying to have actual missionary experiences and we hope that they will come.  

 

We had a service project Saturday morning: weeding the Fiji and Tonga villages.  About 45 missionaries showed up.  It was nice to chat and get to know each other better. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.  I love hearing their life stories and learning about them.  

 

This morning we were blessed to be able to listen to Nathan give a talk in sacrament meeting in his ward.  What a blessing to have zoom now and to be able to be connected in ways that we used to never be able to do.  I was touched in so many ways and admit that I shed more than just a couple of tears.  I am just so thankful for the wonderful man, husband, father, priesthood holder that he is and for the strong testimony that he bore.  We feel that way about each of you.  Thanks for being such incredible, wonderful children and for striving to stay on the covenant path. 

 

We worked luau duty last night.  The couple we got to work with is not a missionary couple but longtime residents of Laie (last name of Wolthuis).  They are very incredible and we loved working with them.  She is originally from Greece.  The first words out of her mouth were, “what are you doing for dinner tomorrow?  Do you have plans?”  As I learned more about her I learned that she has someone over for dinner most if not every Sunday.  She helps in the community, at the PCC, works at the temple two nights a week and helps anyone any time they need it.  She is definitely someone who goes about doing good.  We loved our Greek dinner with them tonight and three other couples.  We feel so blessed to be able to get to know so many wonderful people. 

 

Have a good week.  Love you all!

Mom, Grandma, Gayle

 

 

How I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life this week:

  

*I couldn’t find my keys anywhere Thursday morning and needed to leave to drive Scott to work.  I had a prayer and found them in a different part of my purse than I ever put them.  I had even looked there once already.

*I ran into the Petersons at the PCC and was able to talk with them about something that I wanted/needed to ask them.  I didn’t want to bother them on the phone but I was really wanting and hoping to talk with in person. 

*I walked to our service project (weeding at the villages) this morning and when I got there, I realized that I didn’t have my wireless ear phones around my neck anymore.  I couldn’t find them.  I said a quick prayer and another senior missionary found them.  

*We have felt guidance as we have worked on the devotional presentation.

*The blessing of modern technology and being able to listen to Nathan give his talk.