07 May 2007 – Monday
Today is P-day but we have some things we need to do so after a normal morning – including reading Kitab Mormon – we head out at 10. First we go to the office because we need to send some e-mail and do some other things there. After that we wanted to go hometeaching but when we called – it is at least an hour each way – no one answered. We will do it tomorrow or Wednesday. I called Elder Kane and asked him to set up an appointment to see the mushroom project and hope that we can duplicate it for our members. Also we want to see the textile school so we can know exactly what it offers and how often we can enroll members.
From the office we went to the mission office. Stopping first to get food at BYU – I took a picture so I can put it in the blog so people will finally see what I mean when I mention eating there. We ate at the office and talked to the folks there. Hendra showed me how to change the password on the computers – I am afraid Sam is letting people get on our computers and that could be a problem. We also picked up some Kitab Mormons to give out – we will go see Sister Paulina today and give her one or two.
After the mission office we went to Carrefour to get Mary a new briefcase and some other supplies. We got her a really nice ‘Marmot’ knock-off. They duplicated all the logos and if the advertising blurb was not written is such poor English someone might be fooled. But it is well made and for $12 it could not be touched in the US. When we got to the counter of course there was no barcode anywhere so we had to wait 10 minutes while someone roller skated over and checked the price. It turned out to be $1 less than we thought it should be.
We were home in time for me to take a short nap before the cleaning lady came. I have finally reached the point where I look before I turn around, open a door, etc. so I do not accidently run over her. She is quieter than a mouse – almost like a ghost.
For dinner I finished off the pizza from Saturday night. We read Kitab Mormon early tonight – it seems to be getting easier but there are still many words I do not know. I also read from Elder Holland’s talk in Indonesian – it does not get any easier.
We watched the final episode of the current ‘Amazing Race.’ I was rooting for the blondes because I thought it would be good for a pair of women to win. But they came in 2nd. If I was the producer of the program I would give a million $ to the winner, $200K to 2nd and 100K to the 3rd. This seems fairer to me than the winner takes all.
We have been doing laundry since Friday – it seems we manage to come up with a load most days – today it was sheets. It is interesting how mundane things such as washing dishes – and remembering to rinse in clorox water, hanging laundry, and ironing shirts have just become of being on a mission. It goes along with reading the scriptures, PMG, and lesson manuals.
A mission has started to change my perspective about what is important. Other than family I do really miss anything that we have left behind. I would like to be able to work in the garden – more for the chance to be doing something artistic than seeing the results. I have little desire to listen to music. I do miss reading novels at times but it is no big thing. I now take about a month to read one instead of a day. What is important is learning the language, trying to help people find jobs, teaching English, etc. That is trying to do what the Lord sent us here to do.