Tilting at Windmills - and Other Pursuits

 It's been a quiet quiet quiet day!  I have made numerous phone calls, texted several people, lined up a Family History lesson with a lady for tomorrow, I listened to Sheri Dew's book "Insights" about President Nelson (well I listened to about half), while I painted.  Lia ordered a paint-by-number kit for me.  It is fairly large and will take some time, but when I am listening to scriptures or podcasts or audio books, it is absolutely marvelous!  I love to keep my hands busy, and the painting is relaxing.  It already looks pretty good.


We had a district council today with the young missionaries - there are six of them.  I really love those kids.  I love their sincerity and their enthusiasm.  Some of them are kind of a little discouraged because - you know what is coming - the ward council doesn't seem very enthusiastic.  They are too young to know that missionaries have been lamenting this particular challenge forever....well, maybe the last 20 years.  I encouraged them to keep working and to know that they are having more of an impact than they realize, which is true.

We had Institute tonight.  It was excellent.  We so enjoy all the comments made by the young adults.  I just enjoy them.

On Friday, we are joining all the senior missionaries in the mission for a 6-hour senior missionary conference.  The last one we had towards the end of 2019 was that great day we all toured Buckingham Palace together, stopping for ice cream at a little place on the grounds of the palace (the only place you can get that particular ice cream besides Windsor Palace), having a lovely meal together at Dave and Deb's place, and ending with a really spiritual and funny and entertaining meeting together before parting.

Our numbers will be fewer by far on Friday and it will all be done on Zoom, training, inspiration and fun - all on Zoom, but I am looking forward to it.  I ordered a new sweater on Amazon and it fits, so I will wear it then.  (Thank you Mary!)

I spent some time today tilting at windmills.  I have been corresponding with a company in China from which I ordered two Christmas presents.  One was the right one, and the other was completely different that the one I ordered,.  When I first wrote them in December they put me off.  In the last couple of weeks, they finally made me this offer:  "I pay $20 to ship back the incorrect item, and they will refund me 30% of what I paid for the item I didn't get - which was roughly $25."  This went back and forth for several days.  Today, I sent a copy of all correspondence to PayPal, who refunded the entire amount within a half hour time.  That felt good.

After lunch, SK thought it would be advisable to have a brownie (yes this is the same SK that thinks chocolate is just OK from time to time.)  I got the brownies out and sliced two into bite-sized pieces.  One had white chocolate chunks.  He sat there eating that brownie, closing his eyes and oohing about how good they are.  I had to laugh.  Yes, the white chocolate chunks are good, but they are enrobed with dense dark brownie.  That guy is going to become a believer yet!

They came from a local (London) bakery called Blue Basil Brownies, in honor of my birthday from our Arizona family.  I only wish they could all have a bite so they know what sweet decadence they sent!



Comments

Lia said…
They look like fudge! How lovely. And what a nice, fulfilling day.
January 21, 2021 at 12:53 AM
melissa said…
I wish we could come have a bite, too!!
January 21, 2021 at 8:26 PM
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