The Bright Badge of Busyness

Bonjour et bisous a tous,

Bisous:  the French custom of kissing EVERYONE on both cheeks upon greeting.  I can't bisous men and Brent can't bisous women and WON'T bisous men, but I have to say that I have become quite comfortable with the bisous...so if I kiss both your cheeks without thinking when I first get home, be patient; I've been doing it for eighteen months!  There are probably some other customs we have picked up - like using one's knife to push food onto one's fork - that we don't even think about now which will be apparent later when we are the only ones doing it; interesting adjustments.  Many things to think about.

I have been thinking a lot lately about "the bright badge of busyness" since we just finished many days being extremely so.  We had a six hour Missionary Zone Conference with the mission president, lunch included, of course.  The General Authority arrived that evening (we were misinformed that his plane would touch down at 7:30, but he really didn't arrive until 11:30 PM), which kicked off two days of  meetings, interviews, and several sessions of leadership training, plus the Saturday night and Sunday general sessions of District Conference.  An extremely tight schedule with many items to cover and people to see...the bright badge of busyness.  We were so impressed and touched with all that he had to do, Elder Bricknell never seemed hurried.  He took time to greet everyone personally, with warmth and a big bear hug.  His demeanor radiated love for what he was doing and enthusiasm for every meeting, no matter how short or how long.  Saturday morning, he asked to meet with those who were struggling, which led to a very personal meeting for six hours after the Sunday session, to help solve a problem that had existed on this island for several years.  I guess what I am saying is that he took the time to address those issues that really had deep meaning for some people here, not just to address the "busy"agenda.  He and his wife's charming South African accent, joyous laughter, and wise counsel boomed in our ears for two days.  The example he left with us of total commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter where it takes him ("Africa is becoming more and more dangerous; I don't know what will happen there, but if the Lord needs me there, that's where I will stay.") or what it asks of him, was a blessing that will stay with us forever.

With the year mark closely approaching for Brent and me, our focus is always, "Are we spending our time doing those things that are the most important?"  Being busy is very easy here; there are endless issues to address, needs to serve, places to go, items to check off the "to-do" list, and calls to make.  But what were we sent here to do...specifically?  Finding the answer to that has been paramount and humbling as we seek to know and fulfill our mission here.  The badge of busyness is an easy one to wear; the "bright badge" follows a path of constant seeking for a will other than our own and is far more difficult. Another slice of life comparison with our days at home, n'est pas?

Highlight of the week:
Every once in a while you just have to throw your head back and laugh a laugh that comes clear from your toes.  That happened to me a couple of weeks ago during "French study" with Brent.  The number system is SO confusing to me.  For example: the number 94 is said, 4 times 20 plus 14, and when they say the hymn numbers, or telephone numbers, or ANY types of numbers, my head just whirls trying to calculate all of that in my head to know what number they are talking about.  So, I was making Brent throw random numbers at me, speaking very quickly.  I was becoming more and more frustrated, when all of a sudden, Brent turned, looked at me and said with his twinkle, "Joan, you weren't sent here to count!"  That just struck me so funny; we both burst out laughing and immediately all the tension in the room vanished.  So true, so true, and what a relief to have that brought to my attention.  I was still laughing as I got ready for bed that night.

Lowlight of the week:
We had a great dinner and lesson with just a super investigator family; creole time, we finally ate about 8:30 or 9:00.  She made a amazing chocolate molten cake right before our eyes, popped it into the microwave for one minute, and voila, dessert was served.  Brent can't eat chocolate that late at night - no sleep for him if he does - so she wrapped his up in tin foil, and he brought it home for the next day.  It was late when we arrived home, so we put the cake on the counter top.  I know, you have heard this story before!  When we opened it the next day, it didn't just have ants on it, it was literally an ant bed...so disgusting.  The funny thing was, there was not an ant in sight anyplace else.  They knew where the goodies were.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Still up at 6:30, fighting the battle.  (He is running up those stairs in case you can't tell.)

Looks like a JoJo.

At girl's camp, right after the morning testimony meeting, I looked down and these flowers were just laying at my feet.  I reached down, pulled them up, and snapped a picture.  They are so plentiful here that it is easy not to realize they are there.  I had to pause and appreciate their beauty.

FHE games and fun with the members of St Paul. This is the branch president and his very fun wife!

This is what is left of a loaf of banana bread, and this is what we have to do to keep the ants out of it.  It is hilarious.  When we go to a branch party, you go into the kitchen to put your food on the counter and everyone's food is sitting on a plate on top of a glass.  We all know what we have to do.

A very special young woman, nonmember, who came to girl's camp.  This picture was taken at District Conference, where she attended, sang in the District Choir, and got to talk to Elder Bricknell.

The couple missionarie and the general authority and his wife after dinner.

The badges of busyness...may we all make them bright!

We love you, think of you, and appreciate you.

A Bientot!

The Castaways