We Thank Thee Oh, God for a Prophet!

     On Wednesday, March 18th, 2009, Fotu was one of the four docents (narrators) for his 6th Grade play, "IN THE MIDST OF WAR."  Our entire family was able to attend and then right after the play we went to the Citizenship Ceremony for Sione.  We got home in time for a nice family dinner and then rushed Fotu back to school to participate in the play for the evening performance.  Sione took Litia and Kalina with him to the church for meetings.  Seneti and I went to the play to watch Fotu.

     Since Fotu needed to be there early and we didn't want to waste gas, Seneti and I were already stationed at our spot on the steps.  (The audience sits on the stage and stage steps while the performance is down on the gym floor level.)  There were probably no more than 15 people in the audience.  Within a few minutes Grandma Monson arrived and took her seat.  That is when I knew who was coming:).  I quickly realized that we were in a great spot.  We were out of the way, but could see everything!  I knew that the youth needed a chance to speak with President Monson, and that Grandfather Monson had come because he was a Grandfather!  I even heard my own mind whisper - "Just let him be a grandpa!"

     The people who knew what was going on stood up.  And while still standing, President Monson turned to the young men around him and said, "You will serve missions!"  He extended his hand in greeting and handshake to all that were present.  

     Then he teasingly said to a grandfather, "You will serve a mission as well!"  The grandfather reported back that he had already served his missions and they had a happy exchange about where those missions had been.  

     Then, President Monson mentioned that there was no red line on the edge of the top step where he was to be seated, and he was concerned that you couldn't differentiate the colors of the top stair and the stage.  He said, "Someone is liable to fall on their kanoodle!"  

     The custodian said, "We will put a red line on the edge of the stage."  Pres. Monson said, "Let it be spoken.  Let it be done!"  

     Then Pres. Monson's son asked him to take his seat, but Pres. Monson wasn't quite ready yet.  He had just spotted a darling little 2 year old girl dressed in bright blue and wearing pony tails dancing to the darling Jitterbug music that had just begun on the loudspeaker.  "And where do you get all your boundless energy honey?"  he asked Seneti.  

     Pres. Monson's son who knows our family said, "Her energy comes from being half Tongan!" 

     "Well, I bet you sleep like a rock when you finally go down at night!  What is your name sweet sister?" Pres. Monson asked her.  Seneti stopped dancing and looked up, up, up into Pres. Monson's eyes and face.  He is very tall already and was standing two steps above where we were.  Seneti whispered, "Seni."  Since Pres. Monson couldn't hear her, I answered, "Seneti."

Then Pres. Monson continued.  "What have you been doing today?"  Seneti just smiled.  I said, "Well, she went to watch her daddy become an American Citizen."  

     Pres. Monson said, "Oh really, from where?"  

     Pres. Monson's son said, "Dad, from Tonga." (Realizing that his father had missed the explanation of Seneti being half Tongan.)

     Pres. Monson said, "Malo e lelei!"  Then he spoke two other polynesian island language greetings and said, "I don't reckon you know those languages yet!"  

     I said, "Not quite yet!"

     President Monson said, "Where is that papa?"

     I said, "He's at bishopric's meeting."

     President Monson said, "We wouldn't want him to miss out on the young folks acting!"

     We quickly explained that Dad had seen the play this morning.

     President Monson said, "That's good.  Very good.  Thanks for talking with me young lady!"  

     Then, he sat down.

     A sweet family of a different faith was sitting in front of us and asked, "What is all this excitement about?"  

     I said, "That is President Monson of our church."

     The mother stated, "Oh, now I understand." 

     What a feeling of peace, joy, and the spirit had been present with us all day!  This experience was the icing on the cake!  As I think back to the exchange that was made, I realize that just like the Savior, Pres. Monson is drawn to the little children, as they are drawn to him.  Seneti was not at all afraid of him!  She loved to look up at him and 'talk' to him and stayed very focused for having so much energy.  I loved how Pres. Monson used his "story voice" with her as he is so skilled in doing.  It makes listening to him interesting and memorable.    

     Also I noticed that, Pres. Monson chose to draw us in, when we consciously were staying aside.  Teaching by the example of pure love and charity - making others feel important and special is also what I witnessed.  

     The audience continued to grow and remain reverent.  Many YW groups were attending the play and each YW was given the chance to shake the prophet's hand.  Looking at their eyes and faces made my night!  Like Seneti, they each just gazed into his face, and it was what I saw on their faces that was beautiful!  

     The play went off without a hitch!  Each person played their part tremendously well!  The entire experience was reverent and peaceful!  Pres. Monson wiped away a tear during the part when his grandson (playing the part of an American soldier) crossed cultural and waring boundaries to bridge the gap of brotherhood on Christmas Eve.

     What a wonderful experience to see our mouthpiece for the Lord on earth, take time for family, grandchildren, little children, youth and the rest of us!  People and relationships is what it is all about.  We are, every one of us, after all, the work and the glory of God!  Our Prophet KNOWS exactly that and LIVES it!  He definitely LOVES each of us and wants to SHOW us.  How thankful we are that the Lord has anointed a Prophet in these very days!  

     May we HEARKEN (do) as we listen to his voice and then RECEIVE (willingly) what the Lord would have us learn.