I run into lots of wonderful new-age people here. I ask them what's most important in life, and they say " To live in the moment. To stay in between the future and the past." I often feel a twinge of humor at this point, because in a very literal way I'm always traveling between the past and the future. You see, our apartment is on Minties Gatve, meaning memory street, and the church is on Ateties Gatve, meaning future street. So, I feel like I'm living wisely.
There's so much miscommunication all the time. Our neighbors aren't very fond of us. We've tried to take them cookies and wish them a good day, but they didn't take them. So, we thought that maybe they felt over-loved. My favorite instance happened last week, when I was standing on the landing as they cracked open their door to leave. She, the grandmother, took one look at me, uttered a despairing "OY Ne!" and shut the door. I think she's been contacted one-too-many times.
On the other hand, some people are really friendly. After the above experience, I had a dream that Sister Hall and I showed up to a neighborhood block party, and everyone left. The next day I had quite the opposite experience, when we came across an older lady in a bright orange sweater and matching beret. We told her we were going to wish someone a Happy Birthday, and she said, " Great! We love to sing and dance!" She proceeded to hug me around the wist, bounce up and down while swaying, and sing a song of unfamiliar tune and make. I was thoroughly confused, and tickled-pink. I felt like I was living in a musical. Then she stopped, while still holding on to me, looked at me again, and said, "How about another!" and then began again to make up her own song, and dance with me some more. We finally parted ways, with some smiles and some well-wishing. Lithuanians, even if they don't know you, or are telling you that they're not going to let you in teach them, are still nice enough to well-wish you happiness, success, luck, and health before they close the door.
The Lithuanian language is just whimsical. They have verb-roots with tons of constructions and variations. There are prefixes that add slight variance to the use of the verb. Their are at least nine ways to say "I Run." I had to laugh when I learned the noun for absence, "nebuvimas." It literally means, a not-being-ness. Their spelling is also completely phonetic, which means that it's really hard for me to spell in English after studying Lithuanian.
Last Saturday, we visited a member who lives in the forest. It was magical to walk among the incredibly tall trees with rain sprinkling all Lithuania, it rains a lofairy-tale land, with really tall trees. We had a lesson with her, and weeded her garden. Then, while my companion was using the outhouse (she decided she didn't like indoor plumbing, so she moved her toilet back outside) she showed me this bar, and she had me hang upside-down by my knees to help my lymph system, and then, we walked around, and she showed us herbs that grow around her that we can just eat. Her life is so simple. I want to live like her in many ways.
I can't report anything outwardly miraculous this week, but I can say that I'm very grateful for the way this week has gone. I've been touched by the words of Dorine and Covenants 6. I know that God knows the thoughts and intents of me and my companion. I've never been so happy with so little outward "success." I think this is all part of the process though, that the Lord will first try our hearts, and then prepare us for the miracles ahead. I have an assurance of the miracles to come stronger than any physical evidence. I know that when we feast upon the word, when we drink of living waters, we are never left wanting.
Have a good week!
Sister Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment