11 May 2008 – Sunday

It does not seem possible that we are down to our last four Sundays in Indonesia. It really seems like we have only been here a few months. But the reality comes when we think of where we are going each Sunday. Which branch we will visit. One of the four – the 18th – will be spent in Yoja. This week we are going to Jakarta Raya and we will go back on the 4th Sunday for the baptisms – or so we hope – of brother Herman’s wife and daughter. The next morning we will board the plane for Hong Kong as we head for home. The 3rd Sunday will see us at the Tangerang branches where we will speak in their sacrament meetings.

Mary got a very nice Mother’s Day greeting from Kristy, Jim and family. Kristy is very good at remembering birthdays and special occasions. We read from the A&P about Gifts of the Spirit which was very timely since that was the subject of this week’s PH and RS lesson. Bob and Cindy wrote to wish Mary Happy Mother’s Day.

Sam picked us up and took us to Jakarta Raya. We were among the first ones there and so we got to greet most of the members. Brother Herman and his family was also there early and he enjoyed greeting them also. As I looked at him, I realized what a change had come over him since we first saw him a couple of months ago. He now looks like a member and I think he is proud to be clean and dressed so neatly. We found out that they have 6 children but only one is now taking the lessons. His wife is a lovely woman who like brother Herman always seems to be wearing a smile. There has been a might change in that family. Hopefully the members will continue to watch over them and keep them strong in the Church.

Sacrament meeting was on the restoration of the Priesthood and I could follow some of what was being said. Elder Cheney translated for us and so we knew what was going on. Hendra talked about his experience as an investigator who had no idea what Priesthood was or meant. Sister Kencana gave a spirited talk – she is a lovely woman who is always upbeat. I wish either her English was better or our Indonesian so we could have gotten to know her better.

Gospel Principles included Herman’s family and a lot of missionaries. Sister Coleman and Sister Sadimin were there because they thought one of their investigators would be coming. However she did not but they stayed. The lesson was on ‘Sacrificing for the Gospel.” As they started the lesson I felt that it is a shame that they call service in the Church ‘sacrifice.’ I think of service as a blessing. The best times of my life have been when I was fully involved in Church service to a point where I forgot myself. Mary has often said that the best time we have had as a family was when I was Bishop and gone for hours most days. That our family grew closer together during that time and the Lord poured out blessings upon us.

I brought up Matthew where the Lord reminds us that His yoke is easy and His burden light. I also thought of where King Benjamin mentions that we are serving God when we serve our fellow beings and later in his speech he reminds us that the Lord will not let us get in Debt. That we are immediately rewarded for that which we do. That is the spirit immediately touches us and lets us know that the Lord knows our work and will in His own appointed time reward us for our service. We just have to have faith and be patient – trusting that the Lord knows us and our needs.

There are very few men in Priesthood meeting but those who come are powerful leaders. As I mentioned above, we studied Lesson #9 on Gifts of the Spirit. Early on they asked the difference between talents and Gifts of the Spirit. I reminded them that every good thing comes from God and that they are not given for our own personal use but so that we can bless the lives of others. That if we become proud of our talents or our Spiritual Gifts, we are likely to lose them. See D&C 82:18-19 and Jacob 2:17-19. I have to say that today was one of the best I have had in Indonesia as far as the meetings were concerned. During the meeting brother Herman was interviewed to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. I mentioned to Elder Cheney that they might invite him to baptize his wife and daughter. The sooner he uses his priesthood the better.

I forgot to mention that we took lots of pictures of the members – both singles and families. We also found that brother Leo’s daughters are coming to Provo to go to Especially for Youth. I told him that we would be happy to keep an eye on them and would be available if they needed anything.

After the meetings we had a long wait for a taxi. Lots of taxis went by but they all had passengers so they just flashed their lights. After 20 hot minutes an empty one finally stopped.

The rest of the day was pretty much like all Sundays. We read from the A&P and I took a nice long nap. There was one difference – I plotted with Sam to surprise Mary by taking her out to dinner. It worked well and she was not prepared when Sam and Anny appeared at the door so they could drive us to where she wanted to go. She quickly changed and we had a nice Mother’s Day dinner at Amigos. We splurged and shared an appetizer and dessert. But we caught a break because they gave us the ‘happy hour’ discount of 15%.

So we had a great Sunday with lots of special moments both at Church and afterwards. The Lord does truly bless us as we serve. Possibly more than we deserve.