Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Thank You for Hills and the Strength For Climbing

Bonjour encore a tous,  (Hello again everyone)

Well, here I am again, perched in the office in front of our trusty Mac wondering if I will be able to think of anything interesting to say to describe adequately what life on La Reunion has been for us during the past two weeks.  I think - hope -  that we are finally accepting the fact that each day is going present totally different challenges, needs, focus, and strategy.  If we expected our days to be routine and orderly, we would totally wear ourselves out trying to make that happen.  We have learned to get up, accept what comes with faith that we will be helped, and just go to work.

A while ago I read one of my favorite bylines by Kristine Armstrong entitled "Thank You for Hills and the Strength for Climbing" where she described so articulately how we have to make deliberate decisions to get stronger in life by choosing the challenging route and by choosing to nurture and nourish our spirits through taking steps in the direction of fortitude even before we are called upon to endure.  As I pondered her words, I was flooded with gratitude in the realization that the Gospel is constantly pushing us to choose the challenging route:  #1. To accept callings and assignments that we know nothing about.  Example:  We welcomed two new missionaries last week, one got off the plane ill, but both ready to take on a new life, a new culture, a new language, and a new companion...a deliberate decision to strengthen and nourish their spirits and the spirits of others for a lifetime.  They were nervous, but ready.  To quote Kristen, "courage looks like that.  Sometimes it is as simple as showing up when you feel like throwing up."  They showed up.  #2.  To step out with faith even when we are not sure how to proceed.  Example:  When President Monson announced the age change for missionary service, church leaders had to have known that huge changes would be needed, but not exactly what or how they would need to be handled.  We just received notice that by September we would have 19 new missionaries arriving on La Reunion; we currently have 12 serving here.  Yes, we will have several going home over the summer, but still, you think of all the accommodations that have to be made and times that by the 407 missions that will soon be operating worldwide.  It is staggering to think of all that has to be done...but it happens...will happen...everywhere, and it will work.  #3.  To have faith in a larger arena of life than where we are and what we can see and to be willing to wait for understanding until we have the vision to recognize the scope of that arena.  Example:  We all know that missionary work is not a constant spiritual high.  It is difficult; it is demanding; it can be frustrating, and it can be heart breaking, (sounds like life at home, doesn't it?)  You put your heart and energy into days that often show no results. When life gives us that "left hook jab that renders us windless and reeling" we can know that life isn't just about that moment.  There is a grand design and the part that we are playing in the warp and the woof of its fabric may not be visible now, but someday...someday, we will comprehend with clarity.  Until then, thank you for hills and the strength for climbing...

Lowlight of the week:  Because two missionaries were departing and two new missionaries arriving, President Adams was here for five days, which meant beaucoup de faire la course (a lot of grocery shopping.)  I decided to serve salmon for the departure dinner and it can only be purchased on Friday morning.  Friday was District meeting day, with several other obligations in getting ready for all that needed to be done, but we made it - in a rush - to the market to purchase the salmon.  I found the perfect, BIG, salmon filet, told the "fish man" which one I wanted and how to cut it, and watched him wrap it and put it in the special bag for fish.  I took the bag, started walking away, and SPLAT!  the filet came sliding out of the bottom of the bag and slid along the market floor, leaving a slimy film on the shiny tile.  I tried to catch it on the way down, unsuccessfully ( really, try to picture that move!), but Brent scoped it up, and took it back to them.  I rolled my eyes and thought, "Is this a preview of how the dinner will go?"

Highlight of the week:  This morning was market day - you remember the open market that I posted pictures of.  We arrived very early, completed our shopping and saw a vendor selling fresh manioc crepes with goyavier jelly.  We eagerly bought some, found a shady little spot with a bench where we could enjoy the quiet moment, the tasty crepes, and watch the world - literally - pass by in front of us, before we left for home. Like Mastercard would say, "Priceless" (Not really, this all came at a price, literally and figuratively.)  I think what we would say was, "Matchless."  A matchless gift of learning, loving, and living on La Reunion.

President Adams arrived on a Saturday afternoon, so on Sunday we traveled together to the bottom of the island to attend church to allow him to address the branch during the third hour.  We took the coastal route and, with a little time to spare, pulled off at a turnout to enjoy the ocean and give him a chance to go over his notes before arriving at the branch.  Believe me, Madagascar does not provide moments like this for President and Sister Adams; they love the beauty and peacefulness of La Reunion.

These are the tops of trees by the parking lot of the church in St Pierre.  I will never stop being amazed by the flowers EVERYWHERE.

After church, the branch provided a pot luck dinner and we were all able to talk, get to know each other better, and enjoy Creole food at its best.  The ultimate "Linger-Longer."

On Monday, the missionaries, the Adams, and Brent and I enjoyed a hike to Pic Adam.   Yes, that was REALLY the name of the peak; fortuitous, don't you think?

Great hike; all smiles; everyone got down safely.  If you had seen parts of that trail and experienced what happened on the hike, you would have been smiling too.  

They look pretty good after being in the air, or in an airport en route, for 32 hours.  They still had a 2 hour training session ahead, but that was followed by a good meal, a few laughs, and a new pillow!

As we all approach this Easter season, may we share with you our testimony that He Lives, that this is His work, that  "Jesus Christ lives, knows us, watches over us, and cares for us.  In moments of pain, loneliness, or confusion, we do not need to see Jesus Christ to know that He is aware of our circumstances and that His mission is to bless...The day will come that we will all see Him face to face.  Just as there is nothing now to obscure His view of us, there will be nothing to obscure our view of Him."  -Henry B. Eyring

Until that day, thank you, once more, for hills and the strength for climbing.
And to all of you, thank you for your love and support of,

The Castaways
A bientot





Sunday, March 10, 2013

Listening, Fried Chicken, and Ice Cream

 Bonjour, c'est bien de vous voir encore,  (Hello, it's good to see you again)

Ahhhh, it is that time again; a cherished moment to spend with family and friends back home.  The snow is melting in Utah; everyones eyes are drooping because daylight savings time is upon them once more; the daffodils are popping their heads up (if you are compulsive enough to have shoveled the snow away); the long-awaited moment has come when you "really feel" that spring is on its way.  Here, we are moving toward fall:  winds are picking up,  humidity is dropping, days are shortening, and flowering bushes are coming to life again because, here, the flowers are more plentiful in the winter.  There are beautiful "summer" flowers, but the bushes don't bloom in the summer.  In the winter, there are mounds of pinks, purples, reds, oranges, yellows, and whites covering the roadsides, dotting the hills, and cascading over the walls.  It was a most breathtaking and memorable sight when we arrived last July.

We have two missionaries leaving next week, and elder and a sister.  The sister missionary has lived one floor above us the whole time we have been here.  I remember pulling into the apartment parking lot and getting out of the car to hear cheerful "Hello's" from out of the sky.  I looked up, and there they were, four sister missionaries - it was their Pday - hanging over their fourth floor balcony, waving and welcoming us to the island.  Two of the four have gone home, but two have stayed (one was just barely transferred) and we have seen them nearly everyday for eight months.  We have laughed, cried, and worked together; shared treats, laundry soap, and rolled-eyes; talked pre mission, mission, and post mission.  Next week we will send one of them to the waiting arms of her family in the states, and, a month from now, the other one will board the big jumbo jet...it will be the end of something very special for me and the beginning of a new time of being the one doing the welcoming.  The day our first sister leaves, we will have a sister arriving from the Lone Star State and, a month later, when our next sister leaves,  we will welcome one from France and one from Tahiti, with elders coming from the US and Korea (which should be interesting because we don't know if he speaks French or just Korean at this point).  Exciting times on La Reunion.

Next, I would like to share an experience we had this week.  Brent wanted to visit a family in one of the branches, so we made a call and set up an appointment, arrived in the morning, spent about an hour in pleasant conversation with them talking about the branch, how we could assist with the missionary work there, some of the problems they could see...a good visit.  We thought we were getting ready to leave when a thought came, a question was asked, a big, long pause, tears welling up and, all of sudden, we knew why we had come.  Not to talk about missionary work, but to comfort a heart, help solve a problem, give a little direction in a situation that had been badly handled.  The ride home was a humble one, realizing how close our Heavenly Father is in His children's lives and, again, how important it is to follow promptings to do something.  Numerous have been the times that the thought comes:  call so-and-so,  drop by and say "Hello" to....., don't try to respond, just listen and be quiet even though it may seem awkward, print off this talk and give a copy to all of the missionaries at district meeting, ask Elder or Sister..... if they would like to have the keyboard for a while, how they are doing?...really, or would they like to go for ice cream.  It is not unique to the mission field, we know; it is a blessing of guidance and awareness for others that can only come from the Spirit.  That is exactly the point, it DOES come, here, there, everywhere, and we are all blessed to play a small part in the turning of important pages in the lives of others when we listen.  Thanks to all of you at home who have blessed our lives because you listened.

Highlight of the week:  After Zone Meeting this week, one of the companionships told us all about a real "American" fried chicken eatery, with red-white-blue decor and french fries yet!!!!!!!  No one could believe it, so we got in our cars, followed them through a series of winding streets, and enjoyed, what else? fried chicken together.  It was a moment supreme.

The menu...unbelievable...real fried chicken, fries and a Coke.


You can see the hunger and the anticipation on their faces; they were READY TO EAT, and it didn't disappoint.


Lowlight of the week:  After the  delicious chicken meal, it only seemed right to celebrate some more with, what else?  a REAL milkshake.  Brent and I had visited a little ice cream shop before where they made real American milk shakes and Brent offered to treat everyone.  It wasn't far so we all decided to walk.  It is VERY hot and humid in Le Port where the meeting was held, but we all walked the several blocks eagerly anticipating a worthy reward.  But guess what?  When we rounded the corner, the metal guards were down...they were closed for lunch!  Why would they close at that time of day?  It  is a mystery.  Some of the elders knocked on the window, asking please would they open for us; the reply was, " We will open in 30 minutes."  We were crestfallen, but no one wanted to loose that opportunity of enjoying a milkshake...WE WAITED!
Oh no, we CAN'T have a milkshake?

Can't resist the temptation to try YOURS!

The happy group outside the ice cream shop before leaving for their areas.  There is just something about ice cream!

At Zone Meeting we began assembling our 72 Hour Emergency kits.

Just a reminder for me that in flowers, as in life, along with the beauty, there will be a few thorns.

Something you don't see in North Ogden too often.

We aren't sure if this experience is keeping us young or wearing us out, but we are enjoying our days here and the new insights they bring.   For example, if you can't find a parking space, don't worry about it.  Just stop in the lane of traffic, turn your hazard lights on, get out of your car, and run into the bakery for whatever you need.  Really, drivers do that here all the time and everyone just drives around the empty car...not to worry.   Another option?  Park on the sidewalk!

We will close with a quote from Longfellow that we shared at the Zone Meeting:
Do your duty
That is best.
Leave unto the Lord
The Rest.
We have learned the importance of that simple truth as we serve here.

Love,  The Castaways