Sunday thoughts

Today we went as a family to the monthly Special Needs Mutual sacrament meeting. (Max has been attending regularly, but we have never accompanied him before.)

It was so sweet.

One of the youth counselors spoke. His buddy is a boy with Down's syndrome. His older brother was buddies with the same boy last year! He talked about what he has learned from his buddy in just a few short months — how he feels accepted for who he is, how he has a new, unconditional friend, and the fun they have teasing each other.

Then he helped his buddy to give his talk. He was very difficult to understand, but I was able to pick out the words:

ice cream
Special Needs Mutual
buddy

And when he was finished, he said, "Jesus Christ, AMEN," loudly and clearly and with a look of immense relief on his face. It was pretty adorable.

His mother spoke next about the joys of having him in their family.

Then all the youth and youth counselors (who were sitting on the stand) stood and sang and signed In This Very Room.

In case you haven't heard it, here are the lyrics:

In this very room there's quite enough love for one like me,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for one like me,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

And in this very room there's quite enough love for all of us,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all of us,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

In this very room there's quite enough love for all the world,
And in this very room there's quite enough joy for all the world,
And there's quite enough hope and quite enough power to chase away any gloom,
For Jesus, Lord Jesus ... is in this very room.

Even with my antidepressant-induced emotion blocking, I was brought to tears.

Afterward, we were able to meet Max's buddy, Robbie, and his father.

It was a very worthwhile meeting!