The Marshallese

Sunday we went to three sacrament meetings. One of them is a ward that recently has had Marshallese join the church. It has been over the last couple of years actually, but just 8 months ago a couple of the missionaries took it upon themselves to learn the language. It is amazing how well they have done learning it, and how many have joined the church. Anyway, more than half the testimony meeting was in Marshallese. I wondered how the members felt about it. It didn't take long to find out. I heard comments such as--isn't it wonderful to feel of their testimonies---they share such a spirit that I feel like I understand what they are saying---they are a beautiful people. It was a treat to be there. When I told some of them that I had been to the Marshall Islands-Kwajalein and Enewetak. They were very surprized. Of course I just met millitary folk, not these sweet islanders.



Monday we picked a sister up from the MTC who is waiting for her visa to Fiji. She will probably only be with us for 3 weeks. After some training, we took her to her companions and got her settled. When I got there the elders from the area were playing games with the sisters who she will be with. It was their preparation day, but I just didn't feel right about it over at their house. And I felt bad that Sister Hurst wasnt getting right out and working. (She was so excited coming from the MTC). The missionaries have always played games over there on P-day, but it was last transfer that we moved sisters in instead of elders. They just didn't think it may not be appropriate. I am still learning the "rules", or guidelines that are actually stated somewhere in the handbook or in Preach My Gospel so I wasn't sure either. Our wonderful assistants lovingly called them after we talked and cleared thing up. I need to study the white handbook more!

Tuesday we had Zone Leader counsel at 9. I made 6 dozen muffins before we went over-pumpkin, blueberry and apple. (I love my pumpkin recipe but could sure use better recipes for another kind-so many are too dry-and I make muffins a lot!) We talked about what we did at Christmas and how it could be better. With the previous president they had preparation day on Christmas and New Years, and watched a movie both days and got to sleep in..I think I may have mentioned it before in this blog. Anyway they made comments about feeling very differently this year since they were encouraged to go and serve in some way. They called the Bishops to ask for those in the ward who could use a visit, they went to rest homes, they visited members and those they were teaching. Some even knocked a few doors and asked if they could share a message about Jesus Christ. It was well received in many cases. We had lunch and then I went out teaching with the elders in my ward here. Geoffrey also came. The lady we taught-Shilly-had turned the missionaries down 5 or six times when they had come looking for her roommate and not found her home so asked if they could come and share a message with her. We had a great lesson. Geoffrey shared some thoughts and feelings he had about Jesus Christ and church. She just looked at him and said...I can tell you really believe that. There is something here that makes me feel it. She willingly said yes to a return appointment. The missionaries will return in a couple of days.

Today, Wednesday, we picked up another sister coming to us from the Temple Square mission. She will be with us for 3 months. What a great dynamic young woman she is. Sister Sessions talked of her family and how she has the best in the world. I loved her enthusiasm and the gratitude she felt for everything. We took her and got her settled with her companion. It was a two hour drive each way. After I worked on getting the newsletter together that we put out every 6 weeks, planning the meals for this weekend transfer, organizing the beds and the house for the coming and going missionaries, calling the ward members who will house the coming missionaries, getting bills paid, working on papers necessary for my dad to transition into a nursing home (this one is a little harder to talk about), encouraging Geoffrey to go to bed- but since I have failed at that---I am heading to bed!