Sunday in the Hood

Today we went to the Palmer Park Branch in Detroit with Jeff for his speaking assignment this month. Other than arriving at 9:00am instead of 10:30am and scrambling for a pianist so we could sing a musical number as a family, everything went without a hitch. Ian had a talk prepared, but the Branch President said that the stake has a new "rule" that unless a speaker can speak unassisted, they can't speak (there goes my primary program!). I could tell he felt terrible telling Ian that he couldn't give his talk, but the Stake President was visiting their branch today and I think he had to do everything by the book! Ian was disappointed because we had practiced a lot at home, but after the meeting the Branch President shook his hand and asked for his talk. Ian handed it to him and was told that he'd read it at home later.

All of the other kids spoke and did a really great job. Mine was delivered with a few tears (now my standard for talks and such), and Jeff did nicely as usual. We sang my favorite primary song, "He Sent His Son", too. The kids went to Primary, and, because it was a branch, the boys were in the same class. Poor Hannah's class was all little black boys, but she didn't seem to mind. She really liked it! Riley chickened out on sunday school, but Tandy Zapinski grabbed her after gospel doctrine and took her to YW. Riley said she was the 2nd counselor in YW.

I was 1 of 12 in RS and got a good chuckle out of their RS Newsletter. They were advertising their ward picnic and it said, "Bring your own BIG dish to pass...PP gots the meats!" The lesson was on establishing Zion, given by their pres, and she did a nice job. We kinda got off on a tangent and started talking about how we should conduct ourselves as latter-day saints out in the world. She mentioned that she has to take her attitude and .38 with her out on the streets, along with her guardian angels, to keep her protected. It really hit home then where I was and how different my life was from theirs, even though we were all members of the same church. I noticed many sisters had multiple callings. Sister Hardy was the organist (who also accompanied for us), the music conductor/appreciation for RS, and the primary pianist! The woman who taught gospel doctrine was also the 2nd counselor in RS. Even with all that, they are a strong branch and they were so glad to have our family there.

At first, the kids didn't want to stay, but I think it was a great experience for them to see that the church is the same where ever you go....even in downtown Detroit. Hannah said that when they started singing "I am a Child of God" in primary, Ian holllered, "We sing that song in our church!"

Here's the talk Alec gave...

I like to play sports. I play soccer, baseball, and football. In soccer, I wear shin cards to protect my legs from getting kicked. In baseball, I wear a mitt on my hand to protect it from fast balls. In football, I wear a helmet to protect my head when I get tackled. I wouldn't want to play any of these sports without wearing the gear to protect me.

Heavenly Father has given us things to protect us, too. He gave us parents and teachers to guide us. He gave us a family to comfort us. He gave us the scriptures to teach us. He gave us the gospel to help us know how to return to Him.

In November, I will be 8 years old. I will get baptized and get the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a gift that can protect us, too. It will help me choose the right. I will be able to repent and say, “I'm sorry” when I do the wrong thing.

I am thankful for all that Heavenly Father has given me to protect me.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.