Tender Mercy

Yesterday in church I had a tender mercy that I want to remember. We sang "Choose the Right" for the rest hymn.  Since I had a child on my lap I didn't bother to open my hymnbook.  After all, I knew this song like the back of my hand.  I had played it so many times in church growing up.  See, I could only play a few easy hymns and in YW's and seminary I was one of the only ones who could play the piano so I played A LOT!  Sadly, for everyone, they were always the same 3 or 4 songs.  "Choose the Right" was one of them. 
While I sat there singing the song my spirit began to well up with feelings of gratitude for the ward I was raised in. Tears began to fill my eyes as I sang and thought about my ward.  It wasn't actually specific thoughts and memories, more feelings then anything.  This ward was where the seed was planted for my testimony.  So many wonderful leaders cultivated it and helped it grow.  For that I will be eternally grateful.  There were and still are so many wonderful examples in the Madera 1st ward that I will never forget.