"I can live for two months on a good compliment." Mark Twain
"You did this in Denmark." That is what SK reminds me....often.
I kind of remember. Especially in the early months. I kept wondering if this really was a mission. I enjoyed it too much. And it seemed like anyone within 50 miles of our apartment in Copenhagen could have done what we were doing, and probably could have done it better. Cooking just isn't always my idea of a good time, especially if you are on a budget, especially if you don't know how many will be joining you for the meal, especially if you are never sure if it will turn out, much less taste good.
For the last two or three weeks I have been going over all those things in my head. There are at least 3 families in the ward who invite the YSAs over regularly....who fix marvelous dinners, who don't seem at all concerned about the cost, and who are brighter, more exciting and more adept in the kitchen than I. Yes, I've been a little bit discouraged about it, wondering what this mission really is all about, wondering if the church is wasting its money on us, wondering if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.
I think about it as I go to sleep at night and I think about it as I come to consciousness in the morning. I want to be a good missionary. I truly want this time we are in England to count for something good.
Today dawned, and I just dragged myself out of bed. We had extended an invitation to anyone in town to come and join us for Family Home Evening. We were pretty sure that no one was coming. But then we heard that our four young missionaries were coming. SK drove me to one of the super large grocery stores on the outskirts of Oxford, and we shopped for a dinner of baked potatoes, chili, sour cream, cheese, green onions, fresh fruit and a dessert.
I took my time putting it all together. We cleaned the apartment and were ready to serve our young friends at 7. They all came, plus 5 YSAs! We crowded everyone around the table, and they talked and laughed and had a great time....even though the chili was substandard (I can't find good chili powder around here!) I put a lot in of what I had that was labeled "Chili Powder" and it was lacking something....just not a real full-bodied flavor, but it did pack a punch, and I mean punch. I tasted it and it made my ears burn!
But by the time they scooped it over the potatoes, topped with sour cream and cheese, the spiciness was considerably lessened. Besides, every plate came back to the kitchen empty.
Once again this evening, the spirit whispered, "It's not about the food."
One of our newest members, a young woman from London who was baptized 2 weeks ago, got here a half hour early and came into the kitchen to help me. We talked and laughed and I got to know her a little better. That little visit may have been helpful for her...it was a sweet one for me. She lives with her father. I don't know where her mother is. There is something about having an older woman about when you need to be mothered. So perhaps I was able to give her a little something tonight. I hope so.
Another young man, our math genius (literally) stayed after everyone left. He sat with us talking about all sorts of things. We laughed and visited into the night. He has applied to colleges in the U.S. for post doctoral work. He is pondering all the ramifications of each possible college. He is thinking about a future family, about dating, about marriage, about how complex relationships are these days compared to a couple of generations ago.
The role of women today is complex. He wonders what women want. Do they want to have a strong career? (He's fine with that.) Do they want their husband to be an equal partner? (He's fine with that.) But do they also want to be treated like a queen? Do they want their husband to worship them? Do they expect that they will be loved and deserve to be loved regardless of their choices and behavior? He was tossing all kinds of thoughts out like that.
Finally SK told him the story about the man who had one wish when a genie appeared. He asked for a bridge that would span from California to Hawaii. The genie said there was no possible way even he could do that. So the man said, "OK how about this. I want to understand women."
The genie replies, "About that bridge to Hawaii....how many lanes do you want?"
We all laughed. But I wouldn't want to be in a position right now of choosing an eternal companion. It does seem more complex than ever. And in our society, roles and expectations are changing at a dizzying speed.
We talked for quite awhile, and then he seemed reluctant to leave. We thoroughly enjoyed being with him. Once more, I had the impression that as small as it might seem, it was nice for him to have someone older to just talk with, to bounce ideas off of. He was incredulous that we have been married for over 50 years, and just doesn't think it is possible in this day. I hope we can help him realize it is a great quest and a distinct possibility.
Another of our YSAs this evening reported that he had been at a planning meeting for the YSA program in England and Europe. He said that twice our names had come up with the work we had done in Denmark. The two young people that had mentioned us didn't know he was from Oxford - where we currently serve.
That blew me away. Maybe we are doing alright after all....and even if we aren't doing anything spectacular right now, perhaps there is hope that someday, someone will remember us from Oxford as having served well.
At any rate, those experiences this evening were tender mercies from the Lord....I can last for a couple of months on those sweet assurances.
I kind of remember. Especially in the early months. I kept wondering if this really was a mission. I enjoyed it too much. And it seemed like anyone within 50 miles of our apartment in Copenhagen could have done what we were doing, and probably could have done it better. Cooking just isn't always my idea of a good time, especially if you are on a budget, especially if you don't know how many will be joining you for the meal, especially if you are never sure if it will turn out, much less taste good.
For the last two or three weeks I have been going over all those things in my head. There are at least 3 families in the ward who invite the YSAs over regularly....who fix marvelous dinners, who don't seem at all concerned about the cost, and who are brighter, more exciting and more adept in the kitchen than I. Yes, I've been a little bit discouraged about it, wondering what this mission really is all about, wondering if the church is wasting its money on us, wondering if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.
I think about it as I go to sleep at night and I think about it as I come to consciousness in the morning. I want to be a good missionary. I truly want this time we are in England to count for something good.
Today dawned, and I just dragged myself out of bed. We had extended an invitation to anyone in town to come and join us for Family Home Evening. We were pretty sure that no one was coming. But then we heard that our four young missionaries were coming. SK drove me to one of the super large grocery stores on the outskirts of Oxford, and we shopped for a dinner of baked potatoes, chili, sour cream, cheese, green onions, fresh fruit and a dessert.
I took my time putting it all together. We cleaned the apartment and were ready to serve our young friends at 7. They all came, plus 5 YSAs! We crowded everyone around the table, and they talked and laughed and had a great time....even though the chili was substandard (I can't find good chili powder around here!) I put a lot in of what I had that was labeled "Chili Powder" and it was lacking something....just not a real full-bodied flavor, but it did pack a punch, and I mean punch. I tasted it and it made my ears burn!
But by the time they scooped it over the potatoes, topped with sour cream and cheese, the spiciness was considerably lessened. Besides, every plate came back to the kitchen empty.
Once again this evening, the spirit whispered, "It's not about the food."
 |
| Around this little table are representatives of Italy, Congo, Dominican Republic, Idaho, Utah, South Korea, Togo, Egypt and England. It's wonderful! |
 |
| After dinner, I presented a little Family Home Evening lesson on one of my favorite paintings of Jesus Christ. I had picked up the closeup of the Lord's face at the distribution center by the temple the last time we went. I gave them each one. (It's about 5 X 7) They all really like that. |
One of our newest members, a young woman from London who was baptized 2 weeks ago, got here a half hour early and came into the kitchen to help me. We talked and laughed and I got to know her a little better. That little visit may have been helpful for her...it was a sweet one for me. She lives with her father. I don't know where her mother is. There is something about having an older woman about when you need to be mothered. So perhaps I was able to give her a little something tonight. I hope so.
Another young man, our math genius (literally) stayed after everyone left. He sat with us talking about all sorts of things. We laughed and visited into the night. He has applied to colleges in the U.S. for post doctoral work. He is pondering all the ramifications of each possible college. He is thinking about a future family, about dating, about marriage, about how complex relationships are these days compared to a couple of generations ago.
The role of women today is complex. He wonders what women want. Do they want to have a strong career? (He's fine with that.) Do they want their husband to be an equal partner? (He's fine with that.) But do they also want to be treated like a queen? Do they want their husband to worship them? Do they expect that they will be loved and deserve to be loved regardless of their choices and behavior? He was tossing all kinds of thoughts out like that.
Finally SK told him the story about the man who had one wish when a genie appeared. He asked for a bridge that would span from California to Hawaii. The genie said there was no possible way even he could do that. So the man said, "OK how about this. I want to understand women."
The genie replies, "About that bridge to Hawaii....how many lanes do you want?"
We all laughed. But I wouldn't want to be in a position right now of choosing an eternal companion. It does seem more complex than ever. And in our society, roles and expectations are changing at a dizzying speed.
We talked for quite awhile, and then he seemed reluctant to leave. We thoroughly enjoyed being with him. Once more, I had the impression that as small as it might seem, it was nice for him to have someone older to just talk with, to bounce ideas off of. He was incredulous that we have been married for over 50 years, and just doesn't think it is possible in this day. I hope we can help him realize it is a great quest and a distinct possibility.
Another of our YSAs this evening reported that he had been at a planning meeting for the YSA program in England and Europe. He said that twice our names had come up with the work we had done in Denmark. The two young people that had mentioned us didn't know he was from Oxford - where we currently serve.
That blew me away. Maybe we are doing alright after all....and even if we aren't doing anything spectacular right now, perhaps there is hope that someday, someone will remember us from Oxford as having served well.
At any rate, those experiences this evening were tender mercies from the Lord....I can last for a couple of months on those sweet assurances.
Comments
I think of all you have done for me and my family. Now times that by everyone you come to know and love. There is no end to your influence in the lives of so many. I was with Erin the other day for lunch and she asked me a very difficult question that I have not stopped thinking about. She said that there have only been a few instances in the Scriptures where the person said they were "highly favored of the Lord". She asked me if I felt I was highly favored. At first, my reaction was "no." But after thinking about it, I am highly favored, by having loving friends and family and a temple and the scriptures and a loving God who sent his Son to overcome and take care of my sin. What a blessing. I still have a hard time thinking I am "highly favored". Maybe I am more comfortable with "greatly blessed"!