08 March 2008 – Saturday

I find it interesting how hard it is to get myself up to go to the gym. I run through all kinds of excuses to stay in bed a little longer. But then I remember that the Lord probably would not be telling me this and so I get up and go. Although I was the first to the gym this morning, I was surprised how many came in after me. Usually on Saturday I am finishing up when the next patron comes in. But today there was a steady stream coming in.

We read from the Kitab Mormon by finishing up Abinadi’s story and starting in with Alma establishing the Church a the Waters of Mormon.

We spent much of the day at the chapel and I spent most of the time there trying to organize the Intensive English Class files. I also sent out e-mails to members of the English branch who has helped us in the past with the IEC and asked for their support for the April one. We can not have a real effective class without their help. I filled in the time with reading from 1st Corinthians. I went on line and found a good commentary but it did not add anything to my study. It is interesting that Paul in Corinthians 1:19 – “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” I am afraid that I through much of my life I was one of those who thought having knowledge was being wise.

Mary had only one young man come to her HS English class. I joined them for a couple of games. One was unscrambling the 13th Article of Faith. I am ashamed and humbled to say that I came in a distant last. Obviously I need to brush up on my Articles of Faith.

Sam was sick in the morning and got sicker as the day went on. He spent all his time on the couch sleeping or in the bathroom. Annie came and took care of him but after the English class he took us home and I told him to go home and get some rest. We gave him some medicine which we hope will get him to feeling better.

We read again from the Kitab Mormon, rested and had dinner before catching a taxi and returning to the chapel so Mary could play for the choir. The size of the choir seems to be shrinking. Some I am sure are taking advantage of the three day holiday and of course Sam and Annie were not there. But as I listened to them practice I thought they sounded great. They will sing for the English branch next week.

While they practiced I continued to work on the filing. I can only do so much until Mary is available to help make decisions about what to keep and how to file what we do keep. We have accumulated a lot of lessons and other material over the last three classes. I also had a visitor – brother Pohlman who recently returned from BYUH and is trying to find a job. We had a long talk about a number of subjects and his plans for the future.

After choir practice we caught a taxi – we are getting really good at this – and came back to the apartment. It was rather late so I curled up with the special section on President Hinckley and then 1st Corinthians before turning off the light on a busy if not overly productive day in the mission field.