I was surprised by these pictures. In the first one I did not notice the big box that the passenger is holding because I was interested in the ladder. Mary says that she noticed it and how awkward he looked trying to hold on the ladder with one hand and this big box with the other. In the second one I was trying to capture the nice looking box with its distinct logo and did not notice that I also got another picture of a ladder carrying motorcycle. After months of not getting any shot of ladders, I got three in as many days. Two of which I did not even know were there.

17 November 2007 – Saturday

I was really tempted not to go to the gym this morning, but I decided that I really needed to go. Why is it so hard to keep up good habits and so easy to keep up bad ones. Especially when it come to eating and exercising. If I looked forward to feasting on the words of Christ as much as I do to having Thanksgiving dinner, I would be much better off spiritually. Anyway I enjoyed the gym and later enjoyed reading from the Kitab Mormon.

When we arrived at the office, we found that there would be a wedding and that we were invited. Other than the missionaries from the branch, we were the only bulais there. I have mentioned before that an LDS wedding here is about the same as home. Since they do not have a temple nearby, they use the chapel. The only real difference is that after they are pronounced husband and wife they kiss each other on the forehead. This is because public display of affection by kissing is considered gauche. The other difference is that after the vows and rings are exchanged, a member of each family some time to express their thoughts and thanks. Then everyone gets in line to congratulate the families and the new couple. Sam played the piano – Mary told him to make sure he did not play too loud and he was perfect until it come to the postlude where he started to pound a little until Mary told him to tone it down.

After the wedding we went back to the office where I tried to send letters to all the Indonesian BYUH students. Unfortunately I seemed to develop an aptitude for making mistakes. I managed to mix up two sisters – real sisters not church sisters – so I made one about to graduate in mathematics when she is really a freshman in math – with her sister who is graduating in 2008. Then there was the case of sending an e-mail to two wrong addresses. Which is good since it seems I had already sent him one a couple of weeks ago. I was about to give it all up when I decided that was not right and so with patience and perseverance I got through them all. I hope we can be some help in getting them to major in careers that they will provide them with good jobs.

During part of this time Mary and Sam were off to Sogo. Where they picked up orange juice and BreadTalk along with Sam’s new girlfriend. When they got back, Mary dropped a bomb by saying they are planning to go to the temple before June. Talk about going from acquaintances to engaged in a flash. It was not two weeks ago that we were trying to convince Sam to go out on his very first date to a point where they seem to be seriously talking about marriage. Of course we think it would be great because we could go with them if they actually go in May.

We worked on our new English class material. We are basically looking for good activities that can be used over and over again. We had one of our regular Friday afternoons and evenings. We had some lunch, read from the Kitab Mormon, napped, read more, dinner, and now I am working on this journal. Later we read from the Kitab Mormon for the third time. We find that we are reading almost exactly where we were 3 months ago.

I guess it was important that I did not give up on sending those e-mails this afternoon. We just got an answer to the last one I sent – one of those I would not have sent if I had given into frustration. It was from a brother who I thought would graduate in about 6 months telling us that he would be graduating in 28 days and was returning to Indonesia in February. At that point he wants to get a job. It seems that the Lord knew his need and made sure I did not stop. Here is the start of his letter that touched me:

“I am so surprised but at the same time so happy to receive this eMail. The past weeks I have been pondering what I want to do after my graduation, and again I reflected back to my experience toward the end of my mission when my Junior Companion asked me what had I planned after my mission? I told him the Lord would provide me, and I did get a job right after my mission. I am not saying you would provide me a job, but it is just encouraging to know that there’s someone in Indonesia who care a lot about my future plan, in fact more than I do care about my own future plan :). How did you guys know about me?”

And we wonder at times if the Lord knows our names!