Hi one and all,
It has been a busy but wonderful Sunday. After church a recent convert needed a ride home because her son's car had a flat. She lives in another city across the bay so it took some time to get there and back. We didn't get home from church until 3. Then at 6 we met with the elderly lady I talked about in a previous email. We try to visit her every Sunday and take a spiritual message. After that your dad was on splits at 7:30 with the elders then pancake night is at 8. It's10:20 and we just got home from taking the sisters to their apartment. Love Sundays!
Yesterday there was a branch party at Samil beach here in Vigo and what a fun time everyone had. We secured a place with grass and shade for eating and playing games and then the beach was just a minute walk away. The YSA were in charge of all the games and they did a great job planning and following through. We were in Madrid when they planned it so we were really happy how smoothly everything went.
The sisters came for lunch Friday and also to make brownies. Later in the evening we went to a birthday party for a single sister in the ward who was celebrating her big 50. It was at the RS president's house. Janet the birthday girl is from the Philippines so she, her siste,r and brother in law had prepared fried rice, noodles with chicken and veggies, egg rolls, and some kind of a meat loaf. Then everyone else filled in with sides and desserts. I made lemon bars because Janet loves them. We had to take the sisters home from the party at 10:15 for their curfew and about 35 people were at the party. Amanda (RS Pres.) told me this morning that there were 60 people there by the end of the party which was around 1:30. Amanda said last year when she had her B-day party there was a large crowd and one of her neighbors called the police because of the noise. The police came and were surprised to find a group of clean cut people, no alcohol, and mostly women. They were very kind and laughed and told them to keep the noise down. But I think Amanda was a little worried last night there would be too much noise again and the neighbors might get upset. No complaints to the police thank goodness.
Tuesday we drove Andriv and his sister to Madrid and another gentleman in the ward drove their mom, little sister and grandmother. Andriv was receiving his endowment before his mission and we really wanted to be there with him. We got to Madrid and went straight to temple square (that's what they call it) so we could go to distribution and Andriv could get the things he needed for the next day and some things for his mission. We all went out to lunch and then to the apt. hotel where we stayed when we first came to Spain. Larry and I went to find a store called Taste of America so I could buy brown sugar because our store here in Vigo is out. The store in Madrid only had one package left so I was not too happy. There are a few more of the same import store in the city but we ran out of time and never made it to another one.
Wed we were at the temple by 9 for the 10 0'clock session. The other gentleman that drove was Andriv's escort. He is a long time family friend. It was a wonderful day and we were able to do two sessions with lunch in between. Later that night Andriv's family prepared dinner for us in their apt. hotel. They really wanted to do something nice for us because of the support we were to them. We had a nice dinner and a lot of fun conversation.
We left Thursday around 3 after another stop at distribution, which didn't open until one, then lunch and back to Vigo. I hope we get to make many more trips to see young men or women with a mission calls go to the temple to receive their endowment.
We actually did meet with Teo last Friday before branch council. He had a friend with him and she wants to take the lessons. I don't know what will happen with Teo but his friend is really interested. Maybe that's why the sisters felt so strongly to keep trying with him because of her. When investigators don't progress after a while the missionaries sometimes drop them and he has been months with no progress.
Our JAS sunday school class is official. They have even given us a room (not the Branch Pres office which was usually occupied so we were relegated to the foyer)and we are having great attendance. We had a wonderful discussion today about the signs of the second coming. It is such an important time in these young people's lives and there are so many things going on in this world that would be very discouraging to a young person without the gospel in their lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of hope and we know that good will triumph. What a blessing to have this knowledge and to be able to feel inner peace when the world is in such turmoil.
You all take care.
We love you,
Mom and Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment