Things I Actually Like About My Ward

Because it's not fair to present just one side, here are the things I like about my ward.

• On my first visit to the ward, Mike and I were absolutely MOBBED by people welcoming us, asking if we were moving in, telling us it's the best ward around. Welcomes that warm are hard to come by.
• Meeting 90-year old Bro. Miller, tennis player and woodworker extraordinaire. He gave us a beautiful variegated wood cutting board and regales me with puns each time we talk. I'm sad he's in New Mexico for the summer.
• Invitations--to the country club for tennis, to dinner, to play group, to go along on errands and chat.
• Going to my first Enrichment activity on health & well being and one of the speakers was introducing everyone to NET, a technique that's produced great results for me--and one I never thought I'd hear about in the RGV.
• That speaker was the physical therapist who employed me for 5 months when no one was giving my resume/applications a second glance.
• Working together also led to a friendship I value--and a visiting teaching gig when she refused to be visited by a woman who's been sanctimonious and abusive to her.
• I get to see the expressions on the Sunday School teacher's face when Mike lobs a question or comment she's unprepared to field.
• Comparing notes with the good organist about hymns and spiritual music. And her tip about the Episcopalians doing a rocking good Easter service.
• A Compassionate Service babysitting gig begetting a friendship with a woman who's going through a divorce. It's humbling and instructive to sit across from someone who's on the other side of that equation. I think I've grown some empathy toward Mike's ex as a result.
• I love the unique building with the 3-story rock wall in the chapel, built with rocks people sent from all over to be part of the building. I should post pictures of what I affectionately think of as the Rock Climber's Chapel.
• Tamales and Mexican hot chocolate at the ward Christmas dinner.
• Stake leaders giving their talks in English and Spanish--just like the East Los Angeles Stake I grew up in.
• My goofy, adorable VT companion and the side-splittingly funny woman we visit teach, who calls bullshit on church fakery like "I love all of you RS sisters!" She's a hoot. One of our visits with her lasted over 4 hours.
• I'll probably add more items as they occur to me. But it's late and I need some shut eye.