We Love These Young People!
I thought this morning would be a slam-dunk.
I was going to serve the missionaries lunch, as on every Wednesday, and when we are very lucky, there are enough left-overs from Monday night to serve for lunch on Wednesday. But today, our zone leaders joined us, and I began to look at the little bowl of chili as a topping for baked potatoes. It just didn't seem like enough for four young elders and two young sisters.
Consequently, SK hoofed it over to the grocery store at 9 a.m. to pick up another pound of hamburger and a large onion. I cooked that up and added it and another two cans of beans and a can of tomatoes to the left over chili, adding in all of the seasoning as well. I made a green salad, and I also had the brilliant idea of making brownie waffles for dessert.
I have done that before with marvelous results. But that was when I made my own batter. Today, I took a shortcut and used Giradelli Brownie Mix. I think it was the chocolate chips which scuttled my attempt. The sisters got here early and I was chipping the waffles off my waffle iron. They laughed along with me. as I told them that would be the topping for the dessert.
Then I put the rest of the batter in a small tin and baked it like normal brownies. Note to self: Shortcuts, especially with a meal looming, can be a disaster. Don't attempt the shortcut in that setting!
The young elders came in, looking so cheerful, so clean and so enthusiastic. We have a new elder in Oxford. His name is Elder Green. Our zone leaders have a new elder as well, Elder Moss from Winslow Arizona!!!!
As I continued to get lunch ready in kitchen, I listened to the meeting take place in the next room. These six young people carried on a most inspiring meeting. They followed the agenda with a demonstration of a teaching lesson, followed by constructive comments about what made it a good lesson and a couple of very helpful comments about what could make it a little better. It was all positive and upbeat.
Sister Marinello gave an inspired 10-minute lesson on faith, what it is, how it is manifested and how it relates to hope. I marvel how these young people have come to such an understanding about life and faith in their few short years here.
Elder Green bore his testimony. I was deeply touched with his sincerity and goodness. I hope he enjoys this mission. These kids work so hard, but they seem to love it.
I set the table so we could all sit together and visit over lunch. If you could see them and hear them, you would find much hope for our future. They care deeply. They were also hungry and really ate up. In fact, we had a bowl of chili left over! (maybe 5 servings, which we sent home with two of the missionaries)
SK and I went on a small foray to mail something at the post office, to do a little sight-seeing, and to pick up some things for refreshments for Institute tonight. I'm taking the easy way out....hummus and veggies and cheese and crackers, with a bowl of tangerines.
On the way home, as the day turned slowly into dusk, we walked past the town square. A busker was out singing "My Girl" and people were sitting on benches listening with joy. Ah, the music from my era is still so attractive to most people. There on the sidewalk was Elder Hathaway speaking to people as they walked by. While we stood there listening to the music, he talked to at least two people who stopped to hear what he had to say. He is a tall blonde young man, and he just looked so clean and good. How can you not listen? We searched the crowds and sure enough, there was Elder Greene, nearby with a couple of people, a Book of Mormon in his hands.
I love these kids!
We had Institute this evening. It started at 7. The instructor was here at 6:45. Our first student came at 6:55. Over the next half hour 3 more showed up. That was the smallest number in attendance ever since we got here. Alistair, a former stake president taught. It was a wonderful lesson using I Nephi 16 - 18 as the basis, and getting a lot of participation from the four who were here. It was very inspiring.
One of the YSAs stayed after when everyone left. He really wanted to talk about some things, and we were very happy to have him stay and talk to us. He is a marvelous young man, and we have loved him since first we met him. He was here for over 2 hours. This is probably the very best reason we have found to let all of the YSAs know that we are here for as long as they want to be here. They have such heavy schedules that sometimes the only time they can and want to talk is late at night. And just like your own children, you are happy to take them on their terms.
We love these young people!
For Erin: My haircut...nothing out of the ordinary. It's getting a little shorter...I'm getting a little older, and the two seem to come together.
I was going to serve the missionaries lunch, as on every Wednesday, and when we are very lucky, there are enough left-overs from Monday night to serve for lunch on Wednesday. But today, our zone leaders joined us, and I began to look at the little bowl of chili as a topping for baked potatoes. It just didn't seem like enough for four young elders and two young sisters.
Consequently, SK hoofed it over to the grocery store at 9 a.m. to pick up another pound of hamburger and a large onion. I cooked that up and added it and another two cans of beans and a can of tomatoes to the left over chili, adding in all of the seasoning as well. I made a green salad, and I also had the brilliant idea of making brownie waffles for dessert.
I have done that before with marvelous results. But that was when I made my own batter. Today, I took a shortcut and used Giradelli Brownie Mix. I think it was the chocolate chips which scuttled my attempt. The sisters got here early and I was chipping the waffles off my waffle iron. They laughed along with me. as I told them that would be the topping for the dessert.
Then I put the rest of the batter in a small tin and baked it like normal brownies. Note to self: Shortcuts, especially with a meal looming, can be a disaster. Don't attempt the shortcut in that setting!
The young elders came in, looking so cheerful, so clean and so enthusiastic. We have a new elder in Oxford. His name is Elder Green. Our zone leaders have a new elder as well, Elder Moss from Winslow Arizona!!!!
As I continued to get lunch ready in kitchen, I listened to the meeting take place in the next room. These six young people carried on a most inspiring meeting. They followed the agenda with a demonstration of a teaching lesson, followed by constructive comments about what made it a good lesson and a couple of very helpful comments about what could make it a little better. It was all positive and upbeat.
Sister Marinello gave an inspired 10-minute lesson on faith, what it is, how it is manifested and how it relates to hope. I marvel how these young people have come to such an understanding about life and faith in their few short years here.
Elder Green bore his testimony. I was deeply touched with his sincerity and goodness. I hope he enjoys this mission. These kids work so hard, but they seem to love it.
I set the table so we could all sit together and visit over lunch. If you could see them and hear them, you would find much hope for our future. They care deeply. They were also hungry and really ate up. In fact, we had a bowl of chili left over! (maybe 5 servings, which we sent home with two of the missionaries)
SK and I went on a small foray to mail something at the post office, to do a little sight-seeing, and to pick up some things for refreshments for Institute tonight. I'm taking the easy way out....hummus and veggies and cheese and crackers, with a bowl of tangerines.
On the way home, as the day turned slowly into dusk, we walked past the town square. A busker was out singing "My Girl" and people were sitting on benches listening with joy. Ah, the music from my era is still so attractive to most people. There on the sidewalk was Elder Hathaway speaking to people as they walked by. While we stood there listening to the music, he talked to at least two people who stopped to hear what he had to say. He is a tall blonde young man, and he just looked so clean and good. How can you not listen? We searched the crowds and sure enough, there was Elder Greene, nearby with a couple of people, a Book of Mormon in his hands.
 |
| Elder Hathaway in the tan overcoat. Elder Green is behind him talking to the woman in pint. |
I love these kids!
We had Institute this evening. It started at 7. The instructor was here at 6:45. Our first student came at 6:55. Over the next half hour 3 more showed up. That was the smallest number in attendance ever since we got here. Alistair, a former stake president taught. It was a wonderful lesson using I Nephi 16 - 18 as the basis, and getting a lot of participation from the four who were here. It was very inspiring.
One of the YSAs stayed after when everyone left. He really wanted to talk about some things, and we were very happy to have him stay and talk to us. He is a marvelous young man, and we have loved him since first we met him. He was here for over 2 hours. This is probably the very best reason we have found to let all of the YSAs know that we are here for as long as they want to be here. They have such heavy schedules that sometimes the only time they can and want to talk is late at night. And just like your own children, you are happy to take them on their terms.
We love these young people!
For Erin: My haircut...nothing out of the ordinary. It's getting a little shorter...I'm getting a little older, and the two seem to come together.
 |
| This was already perched in the window, but I made sure that Elder Moss from Arizona saw it today! |
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| This is the print the young missionaries gave me for my birthday. I got the frame from IKEA for $20. It's about four feet tall. |
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