We really work our students. This is what they do during lunch hour. I thought Sam had died, but he came back for the afternoon class. I love the one with the sister sleeping on four chairs – whatever works I guess.

31 October 2007 – Wednesday

Another month in my life comes to an end. I really slept in today and so did not go to the gym. I must say that it felt great. I spent part of the morning catching up on posting to the blog. I did not realize that I was three days behind. Olivia’s blog had great pictures of her and her parents. She is growing up fast. Kristy looks good – and pregnant.

We started reading the Kitab Mormon for the third time. We have decided to not set any goal to how long we will take. It is better to just read, learn and enjoy. When we get home we need to read it together in English and ponder and discuss what we read. I wish I could say that most of what we read sticks in my mind, but that would not be true. I have never been able to hold most of the thousands of books I have read over my lifetime in my memory. The old saying of in one ear and out the other seems to be my motto.

Thinking back on what we read this morning, I feel that Lehi fits nicely into the kind of person that sister Hallstrom suggested we be. That is when he heard the prophets, he went out and prayed for his people. Thinking of others as so many of the people in the Book of Mormon. Then when he was given his duties, he went out and did them with all his strength. He had that “fire in his bones” that sister Hallstrom talked about. Even though he was mocked and threatened with death he continued to speak out. He fulfilled his calling – his mission – with all of his heart, mind, might and strength until he was released by the Lord. He was an example for his son Nephi as hopefully we will be for our children and grandchildren.

We had a good day of teaching. They young people are working hard – most of them stay up until midnight studying and doing homework. They do not complain but at lunch time many of them take naps. I really hope that the effort they and us make is worth what they learn. I often think that we are not the people who should be doing this. But the Lord puts here at this time so I have faith that this is for His purpose.

After the afternoon class was over, we hurried back to the apartment before the cleaning lady showed up. We were happy to see Mugi when she come. She had come back to Jakarta with a case of typhus, which is why she did not come last week. We have no idea how old Mugi is – she could be anywhere from early 20’s to mid-30’s. She has a great smile and personality. We just wish we could speak to her better.

Over the course of the night we read two more times from the Kitab Mormon. We got to where Nephi and his brothers had been chased from Laban’s house leaving their valuables behind. I wonder which side I would have been on if I was with them at this time. I can understand Laman and Lemuel’s point. It reminded me of David and Goliath. The host of Israel is afraid of the mighty warrior, and here is David not only willing, but as sister Hallstrom just reminded me, he was so eager that he ran towards Goliath.

I doubt if I ever will have to face a choice such as that, but how often am I so eager to go home teaching, or to the temple, or to church, or to PEC, etc,  that I can not wait to get out the door. I am more likely to be excited about going to a show, going shopping, or going out to eat.

I am continuing to study in the Indonesian PMG. Some sections I can go through quickly without looking up more than one or two words. Then I hit a part that looks like Greek to me – three or four words in a row look new. But I trust that the more I read the more I will learn. I can read far more words today than the first time I tried this 7 months ago. So there is hope.

I had a nice Skype chat with the Christensens’ in Hong Kong this evening. They asked me if we had our new computer and I said I was waiting for approval from brother Burr. They told me that he had given the request to them and they had sent an e-mail giving approval if there was money in the budget. It turned out Mary had read the letter but I had completely missed it. So now we can go forth and get a new computer and monitor. Yeah!