Rainy Day and Monday....Doesn't Get Us Down

We worked today toward being ready when Lia and Peter and their two little ones come on Wednesday.  It is so exciting to think of meeting little Rebekah for the first time.  I hope she and 2-year old Eliza will warm up to us soon...before they leave again for home.

Lia has a marvelous list of things they would like to do while they are here, and we are hoping we will be able to accompany them on some of those excursions.  We will see.

We took a drive up north to visit one of our YSAs.  She is a wonderful baker and we haven't seen her for a couple of weeks.  I was concerned so we decided to go to the bakery where she works (about 35 minutes from home).  As it turned out she wasn't there, but we found out that she is taking some courses that will keep her from work for another 4 weeks, and probably from Institute.

The drive was beautiful as we traveled through some forests and on the beach road.....Fall is here.  We also stopped at a grocery store where I bought a selection of fruit for refreshments this evening.  I had originally planned sweet waffles, Nutella, bananas and whipped cream, but when the announcement was made last night that Brother Andersen's daughter was very ill and a decision was made to fast until tonight, I thought I ought to have something a little easier on the stomach.  I cut up a bunch of different fruits and served it....letting everyone put whipped cream on it themselves.

In the afternoon, we went to the center and did some cleaning.  As usual, SK took the car home and walked back (then we walked home after Family Home Evening).  Around 4:00 a couple of the young men came. They came from school and work, and I was so happy that we had a couple of quesadillas from last night to give them.  We also still had some dessert.  We all sat and talked while they ate.

I learn so much from listening to these guys!  One of them who is majoring in a subject I can't even spell can talk about any subject and seems to know an amazing amount of things.  A little later a young woman came who is smart and interesting and witty.  I really enjoy those discussions.  As I have said before, in so many countless ways, these young people express their faith...and it is strong.

We had our missionary committee meeting with 4 of the full-time young missionaries and they are on fire!  They are so cute.  We had names of about 12 investigators who will visit at the center within the coming weeks.  Several have committed to baptism!

Our numbers were down a little tonight....about 23.  I understood why.  It was announced at the beginning of the meeting that Brother Andersen's daughter had passed away.  It was one of those very rare occurrances.  Barely a week ago she began having some difficulties and went to a doctor, where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  She went into the hospital immediately and was operated on.  They removed the tumor, but she went into a coma, from which she never recovered.

She leaves behind two little children and a husband.  So many here are emotional....I can't even imagine how Brother and Sister Andersen are feeling.

For Family Home Evening, I gave the spiritual thought...about 10 minutes.  I just shared what I had enjoyed about conference and asked for others to share their experiences....and was inspired by what everyone had to say.

Yes....these young people love conference as much as I do.  And they have better memories than I do!  They remembered specifics.  And the applications they make are well-thought-out.  Serving with them is a choice blessing far beyond anything we had imagined for a mission.