A Typical Day?

Today started out to be quite normal. But what is normal to a missionary. Well for us we filled 2 food orders. Around 11:30 two elders came by to let us know about a baptism at our building in our ward at 6:00pm. Could we please print up a program for them and could sister Ellett give the Baptism/Holy Ghost message? No problem. We filled another food order, worked out a program for the baptism on the computer, then went to Kmart to fill a prescription. The Doctor filled the script out wrong and only gave Doug three pills. He needs three pills a day for 3o days. No problem, they will contact the Doctor on Monday. While still in Kmart, we stepped onto the escalator to go down. 1/3 of the way down we hear this tumbling noise behind us. We turn to see a case of pepsi tumbling down heading straight for us as it explodes and sprays us all over. I bend down to keep one from hitting me and it explodes as I bend down. The lady who dropped them turned and left us there in a shower of "sweet N sticky". We then had to go back up the escalator to find the restroom with water and paper towels. I laugh now as I write this, but at the time it was awefull.

On the way home we get a phone call to let us know that the baptism has been called off. So we continue plans that we had before the baptism came up. To the subway to go down town to the apartment we located for the sister missionaries to pick up the keys so they can move in. Of course the subways has delays today. They actually are doing construction and we had to get off halfway there and switch trains. After getting off the subway, Doug's phone is beeping letting us know he has a message. (On the subway we can't get thru with phones) So as we are walking the 4-5 blocks to the apt. the message tells us that the baptism is back on. Speed walking becomes our mode of transport. We pick up the keys, check out the apt. which is on the 9th floor, then speed walk back the 4-5 blocks to the subway, to have to change trains half way there. We speed walk the 4 blocks to our place which is right by the church, we have two minutes to spare, we stop in there first before printing off the programs for the baptism, just to find out they can't locate the sister getting baptized and now it is off again. We could do with out a few of these days if they are "Typical" days in the life of a missionary.

Media Referrals

Media Referrals are the individual that see or hear about the church thru any type of media, they call the number given and requests the item advertised. Then the mission is sent the information and the office sends it out to the missionaries whose focus area the individual lives in. As senior missionaries, we don't have a focus area, ours is the Bishop's store house. We are sent referrals of those who are outside of the missionaries focus area, because they are too far away for them to get to. Because we have a car, it is easier for us to check it out than to drive the younger missionaries all over to do it. Before Christmas we had about 8 we were trying to get a hold of. Nobody would answer so we left messages. We had a sister call us back and set up an appointment for the following day. She told us the first visit that she was looking for a Christian book store so she could buy her a bible. We told her we could bring her a bible. We have been there four times, two times nobody answered the door, the other two we taught a short lesson. She has agreed to go to church with us this sunday. We are going to pick her up. Her name is Raquelle and she is a 19 year old mother of a little girl. Pray for her desire to learn more and be baptized.

I still feel like we are in training. The younger missionaries are very assertive and know how to share the gospel simply. I think that I open my mouth and too much information comes out. Practice does make better. Practicing role playing is such an important part of learning to share and teach. Thank heavens when we pray for the spirit it can teach and testify.

Christmas Day

We woke this morning to a bright sunny day. Temp. probably got up to 55. We fixed our traditional Christmas brunch for our Zone today. It was a big hit. We ate at the church, cause it is right next door. There were 18 of us. Could have never all fit in our little home. The Zone leaders, Elder Thornock and Elder Smith are amazing. They came early to help take everything next door and they set up the Relief Society room with tables and chairs and pulled in the Christmas Tree from the lobby. Everything had been prepared ahead of time except the crepes and waffles and eggs. The two sister missionaries cooked the waffles and Doug and I cooked the crepes while several elders buttered, sugared, and rolled them up. And there was three different elders cooking the scambled eggs. The Sausage gravy and biscuits was the big hit along with the crepes. They played a fun white elephant gift game, sang carols and then went on their way. Just another day in the mission field, except, phone calls to home. Yahoo!!! They are all so obedient and diligent in their callings.

Christmas Night we went to two members homes with our Zone Leaders. The first home are the top pictures. A sweet sister and her two daughters and a grand child. She is raising her grandson Manny. He and Doug hit it off with his little drum set he got for Christmas. She fed us dinner. There was such a sweet spirit at this home and we left them with a Christmas message and testimony. The other home was a little crazy. There was a single sister and her 4 little girls. They had gotten a Karyokee machine for Christmas and were rocking out all 5 of them. We just stayed for a minute and said we would come back again. We arrived home to get on the web-cam and visit with all our kids who were over at the house. The camera froze up but we visited over the phone and chatted on the computer. We love and miss you all.

Christmas Eve - only on a mission.......

The subway was pretty quiet tonight. We went downtown to finalize and sign contract lease agreement for one of the sister's apartments. Yahoo - it's complete, they will be able to move in on the 1st of Jan. The lady we have been working with is a sweet Jewish lady from Israel. She is here while her children are getting their education then she wants to move back to Jerusalem. There-fore, Christmas eve is not a big deal, because she celebrates Honika. We have become quite good friends. She told us we must come to Jerusalem and stay with her for a visit. Now that would be cool.

Doug wishes everybody we pass by on the streets - MERRY CHRISTMAS - and most respond with a smile and merry christmas to you too. People are friendly everywhere, even in Harlem.

Merry Christmas to all who read and check out our blog. We sure have fun sharing our experiences with ya'll. Have a great Holiday and make sure to Make it HOLY - remember the reason for the season. The blessed gift of the "Only Begotten Son - even Jesus Christ."

We send our love to all.

Santa does travel in ALL kinds of weather

We drove to Conneticut last night after the baptism. It was dark and raining just a little. We had to deliver some Christmas presents to Elders that had been transfered. Their packages went to where they used to be serving. We started out with a light sprinkle of rain, but soon it was raining sheets. Now we know that that expression is for real. We have never seen it rain so hard for so long as the wind blew it down in sheets. We were sad to have missed the view of the country side as we drove to Bethel Conneticut, 58 miles away from us. Because of the rain it took twice as long. The missionaries weren't there so we left it on the doorstep. We know that mom's and dad's and missionaries are grateful that Santa delivers in all kinds of weather. This morning early as I am typing, the sun is shining to a beautiful blue sky. Go figure!

St. George Family Christmas Party

Last night we visited with family who had gathered for our annual Family Christmas party for all who live in St. George. Diane's kids were all there too. Ron and Julie and their family, Royce and Mindy were down for the Holiday. Pauline and Scott hosted the party at their house and all their kids were there. Of course Elva and ReVon and all of our kids. There was a house full. Dusty and Cari even went to enjoy the festivities. He looks tired but did great, says Pauline. We enjoyed visiting over the phone for a couple of hours.

We were too tired to really know how much we are missing. Today has been a busy day. We had two baptisms. One in our ward and one in the Spanish branch, both meet at our building. It was a wonder experience. This sister has been coming to church for the past several months. She has all kinds of questions and wants to make sure she will keep her committments. She has such a sweet spirit about her. She has a little boy. It was beautiful. So grateful to be amongst these new members with their excitement about this new step in their lives.

Masses of people at Christmas time

Notice the little taxi in center of picture, these were pulled by people riding bicycles. The picture below is taken from the top of the Rock.