Is It Worth It?

 I have only one thing to say about today's weather:  95% humidity and 61 degrees.  We walked for a couple of miles and I wore a jacket....kind of a mistake.  It is a fleece jacket and it holds the warmth in.  By the time we got home, I felt like I had been in a sauna!

On the other hand, how I love the feel of a rainy day.  We have all the windows open.  It is cool.  The high today was only 61.  Clouds have been dark and dramatic, and as always scoot across the sky with haste.  A light breeze has wafted through. There have been people in and out of the apartment complex.  I always hear delivery vans down there, but on days like this, the sounds they make are muted and echo through the clearing.  It is a perfect day to curl up on the couch.

I recognize that you may be getting sick of pictures out this window, but this view just makes me so happy!

We walked, but only for a couple of miles.  We walked to a little grocery store and back home.  Neither of us were feeling like an intensive hike.  I am tired.  Maybe we just bit off  more than we could chew since our freedom was won last Wednesday from solitary confinement.

You may be interested to know that we are still working on the visa applications.  The applications themselves are in.  The biometrics have to be submitted very soon, and that is what we are laboring with.  Rather than send us somewhere for finger prints and photos, they extended an invitation for us to download their app and take our own pictures.  We will submit those and other documents on that app.  The hold up right now is the other documents.  I think we have them all in hand now, and will (I hope) submit everything tomorrow.

Earlier today, I spoke with a dear friend.  She candidly asked, "So, is it worth all of the expense and time to be there when you can do so little?"

I told her that it was already worth it because of the young woman who has been here twice, and who has prayed for us to return.  She is close to her own grandparents and looks at us as grandparents.  We need to be here for her.  And the young man whose baptism is scheduled for 3 weeks from now.  He told me last night that he has kept the key I gave him six months ago and he carries it in his wallet.  You know by now that I give everyone a little decorative brass key to remind them that "Gratitude is the key to Happiness."

Tonight, we had a zoom call with the first class of Institute.  A man from the stake taught.  He is Scottish and has a wonderful brogue.  He taught last year too.  He enthusiastically welcomed us back on the call.  He gave a wonderful lesson - from a brand new course for Institute:  "Emotion in the Scriptures"

Some of the lessons that will be taught are "Emotion and Revelation," Emotion and Deity," and "Emotions, Fear/Despair and Faith/Hope." I very much enjoyed the lesson tonight as well as all of the comments from the 25 or so who were on the call.

Immediately after the zoom call, the teacher called me and told me how very pleased he is to have us back.  He said the stake leaders had been praying for the Oxford YSAs, and they have wondered what would happen here with the apartment and a senior couple.  He said that our flat is a refuge and a strength to these young people and he repeated again how very happy he is we are back.

Well, the Lord is kind.  Even as I reassured my friend that it was all worth it, and even as I knew in my heart it is all worth it to be here, I wondered if it is worth it to the Lord to have us here.  I believe our friend from Institute answered that with enthusiasm.  I am so very grateful for that sweet little communication from the Spirit.

Now, we must redouble our efforts to make sure that WE do everything we can to justify the Lord's faith in us.