Conferencia da Estaca

This morning we had stake conference at church. Usually we drive 20 minutes to a different ward, but this week we decided just to go to stake conference at the stake center, which is a 5 minute drive from our house. Last time we went, we got pretty well lost, thanks to a sudden 1-way street right between us and our destination. So that means that not only do we now know the surrounding area pretty well, but we also studied it out on google maps before setting off.
We also have new (temporary) neighbors in our building. They have kids our kids' ages and also go to our church. So we caravanned together. Our plan was to meet 30 minutes early, drive over together, and have our pick of the cushioned pews. When 3 wards are meeting together, this is an important strategy. But I had sort of a stressful morning (What, on a Sunday morning? Never!), leaving the car keys up in our apartment-- among other things-- which meant we didn't leave until 10 till.
Five minutes later we were in the chapel, which was fairly full, looking at the gym full of uncomfortable chairs and deciding where to sit. For the conference, though, they had ushers, who said, "Oh, you have children with you," and ushered us to the very front pew. I guess the USA isn't the only country where the last row to fill is the very front one! The pews were sized such that our friends sat down, our children sat with their children, and there was no room for Kevin or me. Sadly (trying to contain my elation emotions), Kevin and I sat across the aisle from them-- with no children for the next two hours!
Honestly, it was great. Penny and her friend sat quietly and colored for the entire meeting. Naomi and her friend played quietly together on the pew and on the floor in front of it. With our pooled resources, there were twice as many kids, toys to play with, and snacks to eat. It was a little piece of heaven for everyone involved.
If I listen carefully to the speakers, I can understand the gist of what they're saying. If they quote a lot of scripture, I can follow it even better, being familiar with the verses in English. When people share personal experiences, they use more conversational language, and they also talk faster. I'm sure it would be interesting, but it's usually pretty hard for me to understand. I got enough out of the meeting-- and definitely more than if I'd been wrestling my kids for the entire thing!
It started to rain during the last 15 minutes of the meeting. At first I thought that everyone had just started moving around and talking, growing suddenly restless at the end of the meeting. But it was just one of Brasilia's rainy season cloudbursts. We rushed to the car, getting pretty soaking wet in the process. After buckling Naomi into her car seat with my backside out in the pouring rain, I was pretty drenched by the time we drove off. And of course, once we'd pulled out of the parking lot, the rain was over.
It's raining again this evening, with some distant lightning and soft rolling thunder. It's really one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.