03 November 2009 – Tuesday

Over the last few days Kristy and Cindy have posted pictures of their families getting ready for Halloween. We got to see pumpkins being carved in Salt Lake and Chicago as well as the fun costumes that Krista, Tyler, Olivia and Charlotte wore. It is great to be able to see these just hours or days after they were taken 10,000 miles away. It is interesting that while I wish we could be a part of these experiences, the Lord’s tender mercy tells me that we are where we should be and that our family will be blessed as we serve more than if we were with them. I am reminded that in the Eternal Plan of Happiness 18 months is less than a blink of the eye.

I slept in this morning so I had to get up and hurriedly get dressed so I could take the car in to get cleaned. Yesterday’s traveling over many kilometers of dirt roads laid a new coat of grime over much of the car. So even though the sky looked like rain I took it to Engen – the local gas station/car wash/fast food/bakery/grocery store that we visit almost every day – and got it washed and cleaned. There were a number of cars getting cleaned – I guess like me they could not stand to drive their dirty cars any longer. The rain held off until I started home in my clean car. When I got home I carefully dried it off with the hope that the rain will stop before we go out.

Our neighbor, Justice, came over and asked if they could finish our yard today. I guess the fact that it was sprinkling was no deterrent to his work. The crew of 3 takes about 90 minutes to do the yard at a cost of about $20. As they were finishing up I talked to Justice about his business – he has had it for 6 years – and found out he retired from the police in 2003 after 18 years of service. He and his wife would be a great addition to the Richards Bay branch but he does not seem really interested in continuing the missionary lessons.

Mary woke with a headache and a very sore shoulder. We decided it would be best for her to rest until noon and then we would go out and do what we had planned for day.

We bought and delivered a food order out to Port Durnford. As we were leaving the area we saw a non-member who we have been helping and gave her a lift to Richards Bay so she could apply for a job. Since they have very little money this tender mercy from the Lord will allow her family a little more electricity or perhaps a little more food. It also allowed us to let her know we care for her. We often see people who need rides and I am tempted to give them one, but the mission rules say we should not do this and I try not to be disobedient too often. Besides the back seat is usually covered with things we need for the day and so there is no where for them to sit.

After a quick lunch at McDonalds we went to the Meerensee boarding to get some games for our Youth activities and then to Richards Bay chapel so Mary could make lots of copies for the English and piano classes. While she was doing that I made a number of phone calls to try and solve some of the problems that seem to keep popping up.

One of the things that is bothering me is the fact that most of the young men who are either missionary age or approaching missionary age are not really interested in going on a mission. One of them is very talented and a good teacher but he has told his father that he is not interested. I think part of the problem – maybe the biggest part – is that the families are not holding FHE, Family Prayer, and teaching the gospel in the home.  Add to that the fact that most homes are not headed by strong Priesthood holders – or weak ones for that matter- and it is easy to understand why it will take a while for the tradition of missionary service will take some time to develop.

When Mary finished making copies she said that she had to go home and rest. It turned out that she really was not well. She spent much of the rest of the day sleeping and resting on the couch and bed. Hopefully she will be OK for tomorrow because it is a busy day.

I took advantage of the time to spent over 2 hours on organizing, captioning, and posting pictures. 

I am afraid this was something like a 1 mite day for us.