A Question of Perspective and "Centering"

Comment allez vous, nos amies? (How are you, our friends?)

Our greetings and our hope that all is well for you and for those you love.  We have been serving as missionaries for almost 71/2 months now.  In ways we feel like we just left home and, in other ways, we feel as if we have been here forever.  Our life is different than it was in North Ogden; the experiences we are having here, we would never have had anyplace else.  Are we happy?  Very!  Is it challenging?  Definitely.  Do we have our moments?  Well, let me put it this way:  I try never to look at chubby little calves or tiny sandaled feet toddling down the sidewalk...too difficult.  But would I change anything?  Not a chance.  We pray daily, and know with faith, that our being here will, hopefully, strengthen the legs of those we love and cherish to stand in holy places and will help plant their feet on the solid ground of the Gospel.  Not a doubt, this is where we need to be.

We had an experience recently that made me pause.  Brent got a call from one of the companionships with a question:  How is the branch piano supposed to be used?  It seems that one of the members, I'm sure with the best of intentions, had become upset because, after church, some of the youth were playing the piano; not banging or anything like that, just playing songs.   He felt that the piano should only be used for church hymns, by those called to play.  The missionaries didn't know quite how to handle it.  Brent told them that the piano was for the use of the members.  That as long as it was treated it with respect, it could be played by anyone.  In fact, if the youth wanted to take piano lessons, they were welcome to come to the church to practice as long as an adult was with them.  He told them to explain the policy to the branch president and carry on.  I have been thinking a lot about that lately in connection with perspective.  How easy it is to get just "a little" off center in our thinking; I use myself as an example.

In our last post, I talked about the VERY TIGHT timeline we experienced when President Adams was here and a new district presidency was called.  I, having a tendency to more like Martha than Mary, just felt relieved when it was all over and the work needing to be done, was just that...done.  But later, as I thought about all of it, I realized what a miracle had just taken place.  President Adams had come from 500 miles away to talk with priesthood leaders he barely knew.  After deliberation and prayer, in the same afternoon as the interviews, a new president was called, who in turn, without leaving the building, just kneeling in prayer in another room with his wife, handed in the names of his two counselors, who came as quickly as they could to be interviewed.  One came in levies because, living so far away, he couldn't go home to change.  We have watched in awe as the mantle of leadership has fallen on them:  their enthusiasm, their love, the direction of the Lord in their going forward, ways members have been touched already. It was a miracle that I needed to recognize more fully to "center" myself yet again.

Because the missionary work is so very difficult here, with few outward signs of success, we often remind the missionaries to daily watch for the hand of God in their lives.  "How has He helped you, lifted you, led you, strengthened you, or blessed you that you might not have recognized?  Watch for, remember, and write them down so they will not be overlooked because of the things that didn't happen."  Sometimes we feel so alone and inadequate; we all need the "centering" of recognizing how many ways we are guided and helped each day...not in the major ways, but in the small and simple ways that show our Heavenly Father's hand and love in our lives.

Lowlight of the week:  One of the sister missionaries, who is impeccable in her appearance, found out that she had head lice.  She probably picked it up by leaning her head back on the couch of an investigator.  To complicate the matter, we had exchanges that week so not only was her companion exposed, but also another sister missionary who spent the day and night with her.  We quickly became experts on what to do and made sure that everyone did EXACTLY THAT!  She was devastated, but all is well now.  Brent said, "I think my head is itching!"  I laughed.

Highlight of the week:  One of the sister missionaries, who came to La Reunion from Madagascar, had an English program with her called The Companionship Study Program.  She is Tahitian and speaks very little English.  Her companion found it, leafed through it, and asked me about it.  I called Madagascar and found out that if she completes the assignments and passes a specified test - that we can proctor - she can use the results on resumes, etc. to show English competency and, also, it will help prepare her for college entrance exams.  None of our other Tahitian missionaries knew anything about it.  We immediately ordered the program for all of them and they are very excited to have this opportunity.  Another one of those HUGE blessings because a sister missionary paid attention and asked some needed questions.

Photo Gallery:

The branch at St Marie had a "Parole de Sagesse" (Word of Wisdom) Saturday activity.  We all walked to a park, played games together, and ate healthy snacks.  The man in the white shirt is Frere Ferrier, the branch president., who is now the district president. 

Juice and oranges at the park.

A while ago, we posted a picture of Alexandra's baptism.  Well, now we are posting a picture of her wedding to one of the branch members.  It was such a happy, happy occasion.  All of the branch members helped with the decorations, food, clean up, etc.

Helping in the kitchen at the wedding.

President Poncherville, of the St Paul branch, a former South African soccer player, invited Brent to a Saturday morning ocean fishing trip.  No reels, just poles, lines,  and a lot of fun.  A great friend and valued member.

Le couple missionaire at the wedding feast.

"The boys" enjoying a Creole lunch, rice, beans, and sausage (tasty, but not very healthy) after a morning of fishing.  Interesting sidelight:  the man in the red hat, who doesn't speak French, just Creole, told Brent that he fed and supported his family by going out in the ocean everyday in a small rowboat, alone, and fishing with just a line and hook, no pole.  Brent said that his hands were totally calloused; they bonded instantly.  Quite a history...the original Old Man and the Sea.

The fishermen as they all met another day.  We had just attended a baptism and they were getting ready for the "soccer game" between the branches.  Make no mistake, it was serious business, with all ages participating.  BTW, it ended in a tie.

Helene Chion-Hock's baptism.  Her grandparents, who were in school in France as a young couple, became interested in the church after seeing a handmade poster made by the missionaries "Families are forever".  They talked to the missionaries, took the lessons, were baptized,  finished school, and returned to La Reunion, where they were the only members.  They taught and converted many others and the rest is history.  They are a wonderful family and a foundation for the church here.  He now serves as a patriarch on the island, which doesn't generally happen until a stake is created.  But we have one here, and he is such a blessing.

A Bientot, thank you so much for your interest in...

The Castaways