MIRACLES --- 23 September 2013

MIRACLE  #  9

My sweet mixed up man.  I love him so! 

We were on our knees as we often are…Bill was praying.  I was listening.  He was asking for blessings for our children.  He asked for Shauntell, in her pregnancy …that she would find out from the doctor this week that she doesn’t have diabetes and that all would be well.  He went on…but he lost me at that point because I was thinking, wait a minute…diabetes?  I never heard anything about that possibility.  I knew she was having a Strep test this week to see if they would have to put her on an antibiotic before she delivers.  But diabetes?

So, when he ended the prayer, I said, “Amen” and then “What’s this about Shauntell and diabetes?  I haven’t heard anything about that.  When did this dire happening happen?” 

Billy replied, “Oh, you know, she’s having that test to see if she has…diabetes.”

“When did you get this news?  I know she’s having a Strep test.” 

“Yeah, that’s it, Strep.  You know, Strep – diabetes…aren’t they the same thing? “ 

“What?”  (Well, dear, actually not.  No, darling, not even close.  They are VERY different.  Diabetes is serious, Strep is more or less routine.  And now I’m thinking, yep,  we’ve been on our knees too long…the blood has stopped flowing to his brain.) 

“Oh, well, I thought they were the same thing.  They kind of sound alike….or maybe at least they’re sort of spelled the same…?”

(Uh, am I missing something here?  Now I’m laughing hysterically.) 

“Well, Heavenly Father knew what I meant.”  (and thank goodness for that!)

 ….Never a dull moment.  

The miracle here is:  She still loves me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MIRACLES --- 14 September 2013

MIRACLE  #  8

A few months ago, we watched as Sister Allen arrived in Santiago.  She was a very "delicate" sister.  She did not like anyone to touch her.  She was afraid of getting sick.  She was very timid and shy.  She looked at you with her face cast down toward the floor, in other words could not look at you in your eyes.  In talking with the President of the Mission, he was very concerned that she would not last through one week.  He interviewed her, assigned her one of the most charitable sisters of the mission, a Sister Veras.  He also told us that in our Sunshine visits, we needed to keep her high on the list.

People down here thrive on touching each other.  Women greet each other cheek to cheek and they kiss the air while "cheeking."  Her Spanish was very weak, and she would not speak it at all.  But knowing Sister Partridge, she is a pure lover and took her under her wing.

Every Thursday, I teach the investigators, and those two sisters come, Sister Allen and Sister Veras. So every week, we try to spread Sunshine into her life.  We love her, cheer her up, Bon treats her with tender loving kindness, and she is responding to that love.

We have met them and taken them to Pizza Hut, helping her overcome her many fears.  We have made them cookies, we have done many things to try to help her learn, grow, and want to remain here.

(Sister Allen is the sister, far right.)

She just finished her ninth week here.  What a miracle.  About one week ago, the two sisters were walking along a busy street, and a ladron, or a BAD DUDE approached them with  a knife.  The thief asked for their money and their phone.  (The people down here speak so fast, and sloppily.)  Sister Veras gave him the phone and said they didn't have any money.

Right after he left, Sister Allen asked Sister Veras why she gave the guy their phone.  Since she didn't understand the language, nor the speed in which he was demanding, she didn't know what was happening.

When the Mission President called her to assess the mental damage, fearful what she would say, she told him that she was not frightened, nor did she know what was going on, thus she was "fine."  I  guess there are blessings in not knowing the language.  Or perhaps miracles???

MIRACLES --- 8 September 2013 **** Addendum 13 September 2013

MIRACLE # 7   ****  Addendum

I just wanted to add another little bow to this musical miracle gift.  One of our favorite students, Ana Leonardo reluctantly joined the choir about mid-way through the semester.  Her friend Lillybeth had urged her to come along with her but she resisted because she didn’t think she could sing.  I had heard her sing in our Devotional class and I knew she had a lovely soprano voice and a beautiful spirit about her.  I kept pleading with her to come and she finally agreed.  She added so much to the spirit and sound of our choir.  This week was Ana's last time to be with the choir.  She’s going to Mexico on a mission in 2 weeks and she left for home in Dajabon so we won't see her again. 

I had to shed some tears as I looked into her lovely brown eyes and felt that sweet and tender spirit she has.  She told me how grateful she was to have been in the choir.  She said Lillybeth was always so excited about the choir but Ana had never sung in a choir before and she didn’t think she could.  “I didn’t want to come, but I’m so glad I did.  You made music come alive for me and I felt the spirit in these hymns and songs so strong.  I’ve never felt that way about singing before.”  I told her to keep singing on her mission and share her beautiful voice.  She said she would.  How gratifying to know that her first choir experience was positive and will stay with her forever.  No greater reward!

She said beautifiul words of thanks to Elder Partridge too for his amazing classes and for both of us helping her learn English.  She said very little at the beginning of our Devotional in English at first but she sang all the hymns in English and by the end of the semester she shared her testimony and prayed in English!  I know just how she feels!   

MIRACLES --- 8 September 2013

MIRACLE  # 7

Another tender mercy close to my heart I’ll call the Musical Miracle.  As I’ve shared before, the people in the DR love to sing and most can’t carry a tune in a bucket!  A little example of that will be forthcoming via Dropbox.  My humble effort at teaching directing in Español when we first got here seems to have had little effect on my students.  They just don’t comprehend, even after much repetition and drilling, the note values and the downbeat totally eludes them.  Instead of pulling my hair out, I asked our director if I could lead a choir instead.  (My great love!) 

So we formed an Institute Choir and it began with about 6 students and over the course of 2 semesters, has grown to 30 students.  At the end of our first semester we had about 15 students and we had a little program to “show off” their hard work.  Thankfully, I had the help of one of the office elder, Elder Stratford, who was an amazing pianist and was available to accompany us most of the time.  I also had a darling student I’ve come to love, Lorianne, who plays very well but her life and schedule didn’t allow her to always be there for rehearsals.  But we managed to learn and perform “As Sisters in Zion/We’ll Bring the World His Truth.”  

This was their first real attempt to sing harmony and though it was ear-splitting in places, it was very good in others and they were so proud of themselves.  I was pleased and encouraged. 

So this semester, we’ve been preparing to perform for Institute Graduation.  After 15 weeks of rehearsals, praying for an accompanist (Elder Stratford went home), helping the students learn to sing in English, we got our program ready for Graduation on Septmeber 1st.  Sister Ewell, another young missionary pianist was an answer to prayers and though she plays the piano mostly by ear, she worked hard to learn the notes.  Lorianne also came to rehearsal more regularly and between the two of them, we had good and sometimes great accompaniment.   The choir learned to sing in English “Be Still My Soul” and the chorus of “I Know That My Savior Loves Me.”  We also did “Con El Salvador Al Lado” “If the Savior Stood Beside Me.”  The students loved these Primary songs and we had lovely piano arrangements with the choir singing the melody (or close to it...)  Our big special number was “Homeward Bound” also in English.  We had the Mack Wilberg arrangement for 2 pianos and though we had to simplify some of it, to have 4 hands on one amplified keyboard, it was amazingly good.  One of our students, Roniel, played the Dominican flute (a recorder) and he sounded very much like the Tab Choir recording.  

Lillybeth Peña led the opening and closing hymns.

Elder Cornish of the Area Presidency presided at Graduation.  I could not record it because it was in the chapel with a General Authority presiding.   Our director had asked me to teach a student to lead the choir because he wanted the program to be by the students.  Not an easy task but he chose the student he wanted and she worked hard and was doing pretty well.  I was planning to play the violin on the first two numbers.  At the last minute (2 days before Graduation) Brother Bretón told me that the student leader would be unable to lead after all and I needed to find another student director. With two rehearsal left...I don't think so!  We tried with a couple of students at our dress rehearsal and it was pretty much a disaster.  (Perfect recipe, I know, for a great performance!)  Bill called Sister Douglas and asked if she could play the violin for us so I could lead.  She graciously accepted and came 2 hours before the program to practice with us and of course, it was splendid!  She has the master’s touch and it added so much!  So, we performed, we did our very best and the angels came to help as they always do.  Brother Breton was bursting his buttons.  Elder Cornish was very pleased.  He said to Bill after the meeting, “That choir was the best choir I have heard in the entire Caribbean Area.”  WOW!  That is remarkable!

Half the choir...and they gave me flowers!

How proud I am of these students for their hard work and great spirits!  I had 3 walk-ons plead to join us at the last minute (typical Dominican style) and of course I couldn’t say no.  They followed along as best they could.  I asked them to sing softly if they didn’t know the notes well.  They sang with gusto, however, and between them and my tone-deaf students who always sing their hearts out, we had some interesting harmonies.  Thankfully, the Dominicans thought it was perfect!  But the true joy for me is knowing that these students will have these beautiful songs in their souls for years to come.  

Lillybeth left for her mission in Mexico this past week.  We'll miss her greatly.  She's been a wonderful part of the choir and she loves to speak English!  She told me that her soul is made up of 50% the Savior, 25% herself and 25% music!  Sweet girl!







Someone captured my feelings exactly...music is the food of the soul!!

A little bonus blessing was having my best soprano, Manuela who actually sings professionally tell me she’s been involved in a lot of choirs and this is the first one she has really loved and her testimony has grown through singing this wonderful music.  Through small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

And a new semester tomorrow…Christmas music begins! 

  

MIRACLES --- 7 September 2013

MIRACLE # 6

Since the Sunshine Committee idea began in my little brain, I guess I’ll say a few words about it.  In thinking about what we could do in our off Institute cycle time…besides sipping piña coladas at the beach...although I definitely think that WAS in our job description!...:) Billy was particularly interested in ways we could help the Mission President with his tremendous load.  We brainstormed together some ideas and then the thought came into my mind that we could visit the new missionary sisters in particular who might be struggling and needing a little lift of their spirits.  “Maybe we could call ourselves The Sunshine Committee.”  It felt good to both of us.  We thought we could take them a treat like homemade cookies or maybe take them to lunch, or to get ice cream…whatever.   We ran the idea by President Douglas and he heartily agreed.  He reminded us not to forget his wife who needed sunshine herself!  So it all began back in March with a trip to the grocery store to buy a little fruit for Hermana Dahlia and her native Dominican companion Sister Reyes, serving in Sabaneta, an outlying area of the mission.  We took them to get a bite to eat at a little tienda in their city.  They were so grateful for the visit, and especially for a chance to speak English.  I thought about my own girls serving missions far away from home and how much a visit from a senior couple would have brightened their spirits. 

One of our cute sister leaders, Sister Johansen, whom we visited a few months ago…whenever she sees us at the office, she says, “Oh, Elder and Hermana Partridge, I think I feel a depression coming on!”

Ice cream is always a big hit.  And I've never met a flavor I didn't like!

Sister Wake (in the middle) has been here for only 10 days!  But she's still smiling!

Sisters in Moca in front of a little art studio.  The owner is a member and she's going to paint something for me...sweet! 

Sister Ruiz on the far right is from the Phillipines.  She speaks no English and no Spanish...yet.  She's scared to death but is in an awesome three-some and is well-loved.

      

                 Don't you love this little casa?  Not where the sisters live but very picturesque!

Elder Partridge, who’s language of love is the written word…imagine that…who knew?...is now writing a little blurb of encouragement from the Sunshine Committee that he emails weekly to the new sisters.  He includes a few scriptures and shares some of his own mission experiences from yesteryear.  He got word from one of the office elders that he wanted to join the email list, too.  I guess we shouldn’t have gender discrimination.  Several sisters have reported that they look forward to his little message every week and said it was just what they needed to hear at the time!  One said it was an answer to her prayer and one told us today that she prints it out so she can read it often.  How gratifying!

I guess the miracle in all of this is that when we visited with our Bishop before we put our papers in, we shared our dreams of doing what we love on our mission…Bill teaching and me leading a choir…Bishop Phelps assured us that wherever we were sent and whatever we were called to do we would be a blessing to the young missionaries.   Realizing that our Sunshine Committee is a fulfillment of that promise is a great miracle and blessing for both of us.  Truly, we get way more sunshine from our visits than we could possibly give.  Of course. :)

MIRACLES --- 5 September 2013

MIRACLE  # 5

We get two weeks off, between semesters. This Monday, we traveled to Santo Domingo to go to the temple.  On the way there, we stopped in Bonao and "sunshined" two sisters.  We purchased ice cream for them, talked for a bit and then proceeded toward Santo Domingo.

We went through the temple in the  morning and then set off to a beach about one hour away, Juan Dolio.  On our way, the clouds were BLACK and threatening.  We have not seen many awful, rain bursts, but with the color of the clouds, we thought we may get into one.

FLASH BACK/FORWARD/FLASH: I am one who is very proud of my  driving expertise.  Seldom do I ever let the weather make me pause in our journey and wait when it is raining.  I have done that once in our married life, when we were in France seeing my parents on their mission, many years ago.  I just know I can handle it, and do not often even consider stopping.

ANOTHER FLASHBACK:  We prayed in the morning before leaving our home to be able to listen to and follow the whispering of the Spirit.  We know many of our family and loved one are also praying for our safety....

Well the rain started, it grew dark, and the rain increased.  My  good wife-companion said she felt we should stop.  At first, I felt, "No I can handle it, and yes I can really see, though you cannot."  But the Spirit whispered that I better stop.  I pulled over since the windshield wipers could not keep up with the rain on my windshield, and I could not see.  We sat for about fifteen minutes.  Bon took a video of our situation and will put it in drop box.  You see, it was our one year mark, and we were celebrating, sitting on the side of the road, while all these other cars went by us.  Because of spiritual whisperings, I did not even consider taking off until the rain slowed down.  15 minutes later it did, and we slowly proceeded on our way.  About five miles down the road, the traffic came to a complete stop.  It was still raining, but not as strongly.

Our lane was re-routed to the oncoming lane. The two lanes going in our desired direction were totally stopped.  A few miles later, going very slowly, we came upon a very serious accident, one where the big semi had lost it's large tank of something.  We watched as we passed by the pressure vessel-tank, sitting on the

side of the road, and the truck that had lost it.  We both  looked at each other, knew that we would have been involved in the accident in some manner, and quickly gave thanks that He, once again, was with us, protecting us, and saving us from harm.









Soon we were back on the road, in our own lane and arrived at our destination,with two hearts full of gratitude for the Spirit, for prayers, and Father's protection.  Another miracle.