31 August 2007 – Friday

I really slept last night and when the alarm sounded I quickly turned it off and went right back to sleep without even a moment’s pause about missing exercising. When I woke again at 6:00, I realized we were going to miss the first part of the PEF phone conference that was to have started at 6:00. It took a while to get connected and it finally had to be done through the cellphone. Since only one could listen, Mary got to hear it and take notes.

We read in the Kitab Mormon about the struggle of the people of Lemhi. They could have really used some better diplomats to handle their negotiations. Especially after they captured the enemy king.

Sam came about 10 and we went to the mission office for district meeting and Mary to teach English. As usual it did not get started on time but Elder Decker managed to keep it to about an hour. Sister Larsen gave a short but good lesson on virtue but then they started speaking Indonesian and even with Elder Roper translating they lost my attention. So I read about the Christ-like attitude of knowledge as found in PMG and followed some of the scriptures. I was greatly impressed with D&C 76:5-10 and the promises to those who serve God righteously. He says that He will “reveal all mysteries” and “make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom” and “their wisdom shall be great.” I must have read this a dozen times before but today it touched me and I wanted to be in a position to have those blessings.

While we were at the mission home we spoke to Elder Subandriyo about the Intensive English class and he suggested that we might try having a two hour intensive English class each evening at the chapel for those who are interested. He wants to do something to help the young people learn English. So we said we would try this and would start in October. I found it interesting that he was excited that his youngest son had passed the TOFEL test so he can go to BYUH. I am not sure I would be willing to let my son go after my daughter had just died while in the States.

While Mary taught her English class to the staff, I started reading a biography of Elder Faust that the president loaned me. I know nothing about him and his life so it should be a good experience. It is better than getting on the computer or watching TV. After she was done, we came back to the apartment.

We had our date night – without pizza – by watching “The Queen.” It was an interesting story about the events of the week after Diana died. How Blair and the queen was faced with an event that was completely new to the kingdom. The queen felt like she should deal with it by keeping a stiff upper-lip and was completely out of touch with the feelings of her nation about Diana.

We also read from the Kitab Mormon a couple of times. We ended up reading over 10 pages for the day. I also read from president Faust’s biography before finally going to sleep.