The couples, the Zone and us with Elders Thiemann and Roper. We have known Elder Thiemann and Roper longer than any other Indonesian missionaries because we first met them when they were in the MTC. Sister Tippetts was their evening teacher and our language teacher.

01 May 2008 – Thursday

A good day! We had one of those mornings when we could not get on some sites so we were not able to check our mail until we got to the office. However we were able to visit Cindy’s blog and see more of the places they visited in France. It sounds and looks like they had a great adventure. It is nice that they got off by themselves for a few days. We also read from the A&P – it is really a learning experience.

Today was Zone Conference so it was a day for learning and sharing. We went early so we could check our mail. I count it a blessing that the internet work well at the office. We could check our mail and read. I got a birthday greeting from Ed – it was still April 30 in the U.S.

I got a couple of opportunities to speak in Zone Conference. First the President asked me to talk about challenging the missionaries to spend the time to get to know the area right around their houses. I got some help from the sisters. They had gone to the local Arti and got the names and addresses of all the Christians in the area. It not only gave them 70 plus leads, they also got to tell the Arti about their purpose and let him know that they were there to serve. I mentioned to the missionaries that they had to show their love to the people before they would listen to their message. I told them that they could not fake love and concern, they had to develop a true love to be successful. If they do that, their light will shine and people will want to be like them.

Later all of the missionaries who would go home before the next Zone Conference bore their testimony. We were happy to see Elder Rigby before he heads home. We had the pleasure to serve with him for a number of months before he transferred to Manado for the last 5 months. Mary and I and the Kanes got to share our testimony. Since I already had a chance to speak, I just bore my testimony. I hope that each missionary could feel the spirit as I did as I bore it. In looking at them, it seemed that many of them could. Our personal testimonies are powerful things if they are based on the testimony of the Holy Ghost to us. I know I do not bear mine often enough. I was impressed with Elder Kanes testimony that he gave completely in Indonesian.

Since it was the last time we would probably see some of the missionaries, I took lots of pictures. During our time at home, I hope to make a number of slide shows with commentary about the experiences we had and the people we met. That reminds me that part of the program today included two slide shows. One by Elder Smith about Indonesia that was sent to the Indonesian Mission Reunion in SL before April Conference. Another one was about some Saints in Solo who have small businesses or other work. It showed their humble homes and how hard they worked for a small amount of money. Yet they were active in the church and happy to be working. It was done with great love, but I wish that the same idea could be done more professionally and more time was spent on perhaps fewer examples. I think this is a powerful message that needs to be told.

It brought to mind the book we bought about the small business people in Jakarta. It tells the stories of about a dozen people and what they do to make a living. Everything from trash men to sex girls are shown and their stories are very interesting. Many of the men work and live in Jakarta while their families live in the villages. Some only see their families 2 or 3 times a month.

I find myself listening to and reading more conference talks. Some resonate more than others and when they do they are powerful testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel. They also often remind me of things that I need to work on as well as the blessings that come from keeping the commandments.

30 April 2008 – Wednesday

Happy birthday to me. Wow I made it to 70 and feel great. I celebrated by going to the gym and doing 70 sit-ups, 35 good minutes on the bike, and a light upper body workout. Even the scales were kind to me today.

When I got back to the apartment there was a wonderful birthday greeting on Olivia’s blog. A picture from the middle of 2006 when we were visiting Chicago. We read from the A&P – we struggle with some of it, but most we come close. Both the KM and A&P really need a new translation. Hopefully sometime in the next decade this will happen.

I have been listening to Elder Scott’s conference talks. I thought it would be interesting to listen to a series of talks by one apostle or member of the presidency to see if there is a theme that runs through them from year to year. Right now I am listening to a talk on “Peace of Conscience” – “Peace of Mind.”

We had a quiet day – at least once the air-conditioner men and the maid service left. We went to the market to get some last minute things Mary needed. We both got haircuts at our local salon. One of the nicest things was that the office elders called and sang Happy Birthday to me over the phone. I got a call from the Pages in the English branch. They are in the need for some household help – a nanny and a housekeeper. Later maybe a driver. I called Elder Subandriyo and Hendra to let them know there was some openings. We are hoping that a woman we worked with might be interested in one or the other.

I started a major project of separating out the pictures we want to have made into good copies. I managed to make it to the first of the year. Of course I am working backwards so that is only 4 months – 12 – 13 more to go.

Well the other couples ran into a real Jakarta traffic jam. It is now 7:15 and they are not here. They probably left the mission home at about 5:30 for what is usually a 20 – 25 minute drive most of the time. This time it may take 2 – 3 hours for them to get here – if they get here.

We read more from the A&P and since then I have been listening to classical music on the computer. It is a 4 hour program and it will be interesting to see how much I get to hear before our guest arrive.

I also can not get to AOL to find out if any of the kids have sent birthday wishes.

The other couples got here between 7:45 and 8:00. The President said that next time we got to come to Sinapoti!  We had a nice dinner together. Everyone seemed to love the meat loag. Some said they had not had any since they came on their mission and some said it was one of their favorite foods. One couple brought fresh fruit – including Bandung pineapples, another brought bread and dessert. There was also a wonderful potato dish and bread. For dessert we had brownies with ice cream and whipped cream. All in all it was a great meal.

We all sat around and talked about our missions and much they meant to us. It was a special birthday because even though I could not spend it with my family, I was able to spend it with my ‘mission’ family.  Mary gave me a ceramic turtle and the Kanes gave me a nice small Indonesian doll. So all in all it was a special birthday that I probably will always remember.