MLS

When we got our mission call, our assignment said, MLS: Member Leader Support.  I don't feel like we have done to do too much of that in Martinique.  They are strong here.  They have good leadership and things run well.

During our first interview with the Mission President, we asked how we could best fill the responsibility of MLS.  He told us that we would find a way.  He would not give us advice.  He said that every Sr Couple worries about how they will best serve and they always find a way.

I have thought about that a lot.  I don't feel like I have a lot of talents to share.  I'm not a scriptorian and I can't speak the language so I just smile.  As much as possible.  And love them with all my heart.

This past week, two sisters asked me if I could help them.  Tanya, the Branch President's wife, is expecting her second child and wants to sew something for him.  I was able to go to her home and we made a burp cloth and a little toy dinosaur.  She was so happy!

The next day, Tanya and Josette (who are married to brothers) asked me if I could show them how to make cute invites on the computer.  We spent the morning laughing and talking and learning from each other.  They were both excited to learn something new and I learned from them, too!

I guess what I am trying to say is that the Mission President was right.  I do have a few things that I do kind of OK and it is something that others want to learn.  It felt good to be able to share my skills with others so that their families can benefit.

When you go on your (next) missions, share what you know.  What you enjoy.  What you have worked hard to learn.  Then you, too, will be supporting the members and the leaders.  Come to think of it, you can do that right now!  Just by living the gospel every day, we can lift and inspire others.

Always remember that we love YOU!

Friends. Good Friends.

Good Friends.  What does that mean to you?  I think of that term in 2 ways.  One is that you have been friends for a very long time.  For us it is people like the Wards and Ross's and Hayses and Tollestrups and others.  We have a history together and feel comfortable with each other.

The other meaning is they are good.  Good people.  And we are drawn to them because we have similar values and goals.

This week we got to spend some time with the latter kind of friend.  Elder (Steve) and Sister (Paula) Batemen came to see us for a few days.  They go home in two weeks after serving faithfully for 18 months.  We don't know them well.  Even though Steve and Reed served in the same mission in Australia and they over lapped about a year, they didn't know each other then.  They know lots of the same people, but never served together.

We know them now only because we are serving this mission together, 300 miles apart. We had only met them personally for about 5 days.  But they are good.  Good people.  And we like spending time with good people.

I have decided that it doesn't much matter how tall someone is, or how old they are, or what color their skin is.  If they are good, I want to be their friend.  And I want to be good, so I can be their friend.  I hope you feel the same way.  Look for GOOD people.  And make them your friend.

Always remember that we love YOU!  And we are grateful that you are Good People.

The miracle of the noodles

We spent the week in Trinidad learning how to run a mission office.  We also spent a lot of time with our good friends, the Francom's who we came into the mission with.  We watched conference with them for two days. 

On Sunday, Sister Francom started looking for some noodles.  She and Sister Bateman had to make soup the next day for the incoming missionaries.  Sister Bateman is pretty fussy about her cooking and you want her to have the right ingredients!

Sister Francom was worried because she looked everywhere in her cupboards and she knew the stores would not be open on Monday because of the Easter holiday.  She thought she might have to buy them on Sunday!  She said she feared Sister Bateman more than God!

The last speaker in conference spoke on keeping the Sabbath day holy.  Sister Francom decided that she would have to figure something else out for the noodles and she did not go to the store.

The next morning, she looked in her cupboards one more time.  And there in plain sight was a bag of noodles!  A miracle?  We think so!

The Lord really does bless us for keeping the commandments!

Today we had another miracle.  Our friends from Raymond came to visit us!  The Wood's and the Drewry's were on a cruise ship and were here for the day.  We had a wonderful time with them.

 And then we enjoyed a beautiful sunset in Barbados.

Please remember that we love YOU!