29 October 2012

Our awesome dishwasher!

Musings from Hermana P...

Things I miss from home...my bosch, small gravy ladle, a good stock pot, a good potato masher, cream of tartar, real brown sugar, real "real butter," my house plants, my microfiber mop from Don Aslett's cleaning store, wire cooling racks, carpet, rugs, a waffle iron or skillet (Corey would be horrified to know that Grandma hasn't had waffles or pancakes since she left his house!  How could I have survived?)  Also, a hot bath, mountain hikes and bike rides, the foot stool my brother made for me, a ward choir, hymns sung on key, hymns sung with harmony, hymns with organ accompaniment, eating cookie dough (absolutely no eating raw eggs here), playing hide and seek in Sam's house after dark (I wouldn't dare be any place hiding in the dark at my apartment...there just might be something fuzzy hiding there, too!)  And Braxton's pitter patter down the hall making a bee-line for Grandma and Grandpa's room when he sees the door open!

Things I'm beginning to love here...walks around the park with Elder P, my electric fly zapper, my can of turbo Raid, fresh pineapple, huge avacados, my sombrilla (umbrella), the rooster crowing in the morning (and sometimes all night), the sound of dominoes being played outside our window (except at 2 in the morning...not so much), a little chunk of sharp cheese I get all to myself, Spanish words I actually understand in a Sacrament hymn, my tea pot, soft heels, brown eyes and brown faces, the smiles and sound of children's laughter (it translates beautifully), the students' voices when they read Spanish aloud in class (will I ever be able to read like that?), putting on my name tag, enough water in my cup to brush my teeth one more time, 2 bathrooms...his and hers, hugs and kisses from the sisters, the young men resisting the urge to hug, my friend Esperanza who comes once a week to iron Bill's shirts (she can use the pesos and we're happy to be of service!) with whom some day soon I look forward to sharing...asking and answering questions in complete sentences.  



 

Garbage pickup anyone?

Clothes dryer!

Looking outside our bedroom window.  Beautiful green growing things!

 

Our apartment complex

Things I'm not sure I'll ever get used to...cement walls you can't put a nail into, aforementioned fuzzy, furry, multilegged or tentacle clad things that crawl or skitter, Spanish words like "decir" a verb which means "to say", which conjugates irregularly (so do we :)...so when I say, "I say" it's digo (deego), "you say" is dice (deesay), "I said" is dije (deehay) "you said" is dijo (deeho) and then there's the future "I will say" dire' (deeray') or "he will say" dira' (deerah') and then of course there's the command form of say - diga (deega).  Oh what fun!  Then there's words like "hacer" (ahsair...h is always silent) which means "to make or do" (...which is it, please?) and you have the likes of hago (ahgo), hace (ahsay), hice (eesay), hizo (eeso), hare' (ahray'), and hara' (ahrah').  Gets me giggling he he he, ha, ha ha except that those words are forms of haber (ahbear) which means "to have done"...whether I have done or did or am doing and don't want to do, it's a whole other story!  This morning I said to Bill, "Who thought of this anyway."  He answered, "They did."  Well, WHO in the bloomin' flip ARE THEY?  Quien son ellos!  And to top off my list of things I'll never get used to, there's the daily reality video game we seem to be in on our drive to the Institute called affectionately by Sister Douglas (Mission Pres's wife)..."Super Mario Smash Brothers!"  You know how your side- view mirrors on your car have those familiar little words that say "Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear."  Well, because of the distortion I suffer from in my right eye, which gives me lousy depth perception, I have to keep saying to myself over and over, "Things are not as close as they appear, things are not as close as they appear."  I try to say it quietly, Bill just thinks I'm praying! (Well, of course that, too!)

Enough babbling.  The sun is shining again finally after 9 days of rain from Hurricane Sandy.  Thankfully we here in the north part of our island had just a little flooding in the streets a couple of nights and maybe more power outages than usual (hard to say) but all is well.  Love the work, love the Gospel, love teaching music (even in Espanol), love watching Bill teach, and most of all...love all of you! 

Hermana P.   (Silent H) :) 

26 October 2012

Observations of today.  Bonnie and I walk almost each morning.  We found a park and we walk around it.  It is interesting to note that they have someone sweeping every  day the path  we take.  There are many leaves that fall, and every day they sweep them. 

Also, I have noticed that there are not many here who smoke.  I found an empty plastic bottle in one of the trees in the park where we walk, and there were two cigarrette stubs within the bottle.  Maybe after they smoke, they  put the stubs in the tree in a bottle?  Who knows. 

The Dominicans hate the rain.  Last night we had a few classes, but the attendance was awful.  In asking the elders why, they said that the Dominicans hate to be out in the rain because they feel if they are rained upon, they will get sick.  So, when it rains, no one comes to Institute, nor to school, nor are there many on the roads, while on the other days, there are always hundreds milling around the street.

We hear a rooster that must either be blind, deaf or sick.  That rooster is ALWAYS blasting out  his rooster song, or however you want to say it.  He is always there, awakening us every hour of the  day.

The pot holes on the street are HUGE.  The other day, I hit one, and felt the car almost was swallowed up in it.  You really have to be aware of them, for they could overtake a small dog.  The couple we replaced reported to us that they found a pot hole that had a tree growing out of it.  I guess that tells you how often they fill them in with something.

On the way to work, we pass a "garbage corner."  For  you see, often we see a pile of plastic sacks. You know, the plastic sacks we put garbage in?   Well, they collect these garbage sacks and put them on the corner we pass.  The other day, there must have been two hundred sacks stacked up, higher than our car, just sitting on the corner.  There is a garbage truck that comes by once in a while and picks up the sacks, but it is sure interesting to see garbage sacks on corners of the city, here and there.

Almost every night, someone turns off the water.  From about  midnight to some time in the morning, no one has water. When someone needs to flush, we use the water already in the tank, but no water replaces it until sometime the next morning.   Also this past week, we have awakened to no power either.  We just do our thing, use bottled water, and go to the Institute. Some time during the day, they both return, at least they have in our short experience.

I have seen FOUR crunchies, or when one car hit another.  No police men nor help  vehicles.  I  guess you just duke it out, or discuss how bad it is.  There are no policemen driving around their squad cars, just some officials who carry around shot guns to scare the foreigners, like Bonnie and me. 

Car alarms are going off all the time, especially during the night.  You have to used to it, sleep through those alarms, or you would never get any sleep.  I think they  enjoy setting off those alarms, just to let everyone know they are there and their alarm works.  I guess, can't think of any other reason to set them off during all hours, especially during the middle of the night.

Like my son Sam, I have some Dominicans point with their lips. The other day, President Breton called upon someone to pray by pointing his LIPS at someone.   It is sort of like puckering up for a kiss, and then smiling at someone.  It is the same as pointing, I guess.

Guess that is about all for the timing being what it is.  Just observations. 

23 October 2012

Today, I taught two classes, each for 90 minutes.  I  taught for Elder Breton. He was out of town and I taught his Doctrine and Covenants lesson, sections 27, 28, and 29.  Then this afternoon, I taught the history of the church.  By the end of the second class, my mind was lost and I often, as I was trying to conclude my lesson, was at a loss for words, stumped, and didn't know how to say what I wanted to say.  It is so frustrating to be in that position.  The kids are there, trying to understand me, trying to read my mind, trying to help me, but unsure how to do so.  Usually, I shall only teach one a day, and now I am only scheduled to teach two a week, one to the investigators on Thursday.  I love teaching, but when I can't use the language....  When my mind goes into a brain cloud, a stupor, a realization that I am in a foreign country....

After my final class and before close the Institute, we ran to the store to purchase a few things.  As we were talking toward the door, it dawned on me that we are in a foreign country, and they speak a foreign language here.  It was like a light turned on and it was a surprise.  (That happens once in a while, reality sets in.) 

One thing that amazes me is the students, the single adults.  At the start of each class, we have a song where they sing every verse of the song.  Then a prayer, and then one of the kids stands to give a spiritual thought.  They are called upon a few minutes before they stand to give their thoughts, but it amazes me that they stand and talk for five to ten minutes.  In the US, or back home, if someone were called upon to give a thought, it would be about thirty seconds.  Here, they could give the whole lesson with thirty seconds notice.  They are truly very prepared for almost anything.  (maybe I am being unfair, perhaps the people back home would talk for sixty seconds....)

Last night we watched the debate before going to bed.  Politics is so crazy.  Someone is going to be president come January though the next four years.  At least as far as I can tell, it looks like we will have the same president that we have now.  But two weeks, things can change I guess. 

It would sure be different to have someone in the White House, leading our country that prayed to Father in Heaven, that does home teaching, that believes the same as I do.  Sure, I don't agree with all his views, but being a member of my church, I can foresee that perhaps there would be great strides in missionary work around the globe.  But who knows. Two weeks from tonight, we shall know I guess.  There are many people down here who want to see Mitt Romney win the election, for they think it will be better for their country, having a different president than we have now. 

No cock roaches.  No crunchies.  Tiny ants on our shelves.  Power outages still.  Water outages almost every night.  Rain almost every afternoon.  Frustration comes and goes.  We are loving it down here, loving the young kids, amazed with  their strength and knowledge of the gospel.  Feeling Father's direction and approval.  We are missionaries.

20 October 2012

It's me...Hermana P.  Need to set the record straight on a few things.  Firstly, I did tell Elder P. that yes, I AM adjusting to the soaking of veggies and fruits.  It seems pretty normal now, but I guess "he must have heard wrong...grandpa"... :)  Secondly, as far as my screaming when we drive...How could he even think such a thing!  Is he interpreting those very frequent, very sharp intakes of breath and often the holding of breath as screaming?  I guess he can hear those silent screams loud and clear!  I really am trying very hard not to make too many startling or distracting utterances as we have to concentrate on who's honking at whom.  And, yes, there are quite a few gasps as we take our daily "demolition derby" ride through town.  It would be fun if we were in little bumper cars like at Lagoon (I love that ride!)  And sometimes that's exactly what it feels like, trying to evade and avoid crunching or being crunched.  We talked last week to a man who is an ambassador here from Florida and he says he'll never get used to the "undisciplined driving."  I quite agree! 

Here are some things I'm very thankful for and plan to get very used to:  fumigators...no sign of insects or creeping things since Wednesday.  And they're coming back every 6 weeks!  (The fumigators that is, not the crawlies...)  Oh, and speaking of crawlies, I saw my first lizard today.  It was little, outside in a tree and quite cute.  As long as it stays outside and little, I'm fine with that!  Also, I love buying fruit from a little vendor in front of our church.  Today we bought a pineapple, a huge sweet cantaloupe and 2 bunches of bananas.  We get papaya and mangoes and coconut and watermelon there also.  Yes, we love the fruit!  And the night guard at the Institute gate brings us huge avocados whenever we ask.  He says they're falling on the ground, going to waste at his house.  So he shares them with us and we share them with others.  I think they're like zucchini in Utah!  We'll never tire of avocados!  I'm also getting used to hanging clothes on the line to dry.  I just need a little apron with a pocket in it for the clothes pins like my mom had in the 50's.  I dance around the apartment with my rag mop listening to Mark Anthony, wiggling my hips like our students dancing the "meringue."  What fun is that!

And hot soapy water.  My kids know how much I love this.  (Thanks Bec for thinking of me on your recent camping trip!)  I put my little tea kettle on the propane stove in the mornings to have hot soapy water for dishes.  That's always felt good to me.  And my little "sun shower" in warm water in the mornings is very nice, too.  I feel like I'm camping!  I've been thinking a lot about my gratitude for hot soapy water, about being clean and how grateful I am for the Savior and the cleansing enabling power of His Atonement.  I'm grateful with all my heart for that! 

And lastly and thirdly...(movie quote) I'm getting used to wonderful students who patiently help me along as I try to explain simple musical concepts in very difficult (for me) Spanish terms.  At least the "da-a-a-a, da-a-a-a" translates easily.  (We're learning 4/4 time.)  And the institute director likes me because I don't talk all the time!  What could be better! 

Life is good!

  

18 October 2012

One month ago, we arrived here.  I asked Bonnie if she is adjust to our mission.  It was a report that was very mixed.  She feels she is adjusted to the trickle of water she has to shower with, and the often cold water.  She is adjusted to the challenge to brush teeth out  of a glass of water.  She is adjusted to the sounds of the night, horns, alarms going off at all times, our hard bed, times of no water and no electricity, to the tiny fridge we have, and the tiny oven, to the rooster that greets us each  morning, getting us out of bed, to going through five locks to get in and out of our apartment, to the sceen-less windows, thus not being able to open the windows, etc.  She is NOT adjusted to cock roaches, nor will she ever be, she says.  She is NOT adjusted to soaking our lettuce, apples, tomatoes, and most everything we eat in Clorox.  Yes it does make a bit of a difference to the taste, but we may be adjusted to that one day, who knows.  In fact, we may  even have acquired taste for Clorox? 

She is somewhat adjusted to the traffic and the way I have to drive down here.  She only screamed twice on the way to work this morning, but when we arrived a month ago, she was constantly screaming at what we have to traverse each morning. She is getting adjusted to being here and not communicating with many people, and not understanding what they say to her.  She doesn't know if she will ever be adjusted to not finding things we look for, for cooking, for making life easier, like a fly swatter, cream of tartar, eggs in the cooler or milk in the cooler, they are all on the shelf, no cooler.

Things are certainly different, but WE are getting adjusted to being here, but we are not totally adjusted yet, but are working on it.

I am teaching a class of non-members tonight, and I am excited.  I have prayed to know how to approach them and what to share with them.  Because of how Father has worked in the past, I was sure He would dictate to me His will and sure enough, this morning it was a morning of pure enlightenment.  I received exactly what He wanted me to teach.  So, as I collect my thoughts about how to go about it, I give thanks to Father for that revelation.  Now, tomorrow I have been asked to teach another class so our boss, President Breton can go out of town. I have no idea what, or how to do that, thus tomorrow, possibly like today, I will receive how and what to teach in his place.  It is something found in the D and C.  I am excited, not because I am prepared, but I know there is a message, a way He wants me to proceed and thus He will tell me if I continue to listen. 

I often pause and consider that we are living a dream I have had for many years.  I have to pinch myself to realize it is true, or drive on their streets, or hear the horns honk, or hear someone talking to me and not understand them, or eat an avocado, or a myriad of things.  Thanks be to Father for this privilege to serve with my eternal companion. 

17 October 2012

We arrived one month ago, and I am wondering if we are on track. There are reasons why the Lord called us to this mission, and we are trying to figure them out.  I am sure many will come along the way, and we shall see things done that we had to do. But right  now, I wonder if we are doing as we should.  Our "boss" Marcus Breton is a stake president, and he is also hired by the church to be the Institute Director.  He has in his mind what he wants us to do, and we are trying to do so.  There are differences of opinion, and we are learning. 

Bonnie is surely growing trying to teach in Spanish, and is often frustrated, but she does not see from where she has come, and she is truly progressing.  However, it is hard to see the progress when every day we hear people talking around us, wondering what they are saying, especially when they are talking TO US. 

I have insisted that they permit me to teach a new class to investigators, and shall do so tomorrow.  I am creating a lesson plan, and I am excited.  I surely hope that is one of the things, or is the ground work of things that we need to do.  Many  have told us it will take us six months at least to understand when people talk with us.  I believe that to be true with Bon, but I hope I can start hearing and even understanding things much earlier than that. 

I feel.  I have always been a believer that Father gets us to do His will by what we feel.  Too often we don't give credence to feelings when that is how Father is trying to talk with us.  I have feelings that I need to pursue the Pass-a-long cards, for the people here will respond to certain  things where they won't in other places.  For instance, they love their country and are proud of it.  Thus, I am trying to get a few to create a pass a long card that has an indication about Christ's promise of this being the promised land, and that might "tickle their fancy" enough to have them want to find out more about it.  Anyway, that is another feeling that I am following.  So I continue to "feel" and see what we ought to pursue. 

Yes, I continue to learn patience, I guess.  But things are wonderful realizing that He sent us here and is watching over us (especially while I drive like a maniac amongst hundreds of other maniacs) and directing things that we do...

16 October 2012

Well, this morning we woke up with no water.  We have had just a few times when we have had no electricity, one ugly, unbearable night, but nothing since.  Of course it may go off during the day  when we are not there, but not while we are there, or while we are sleeping.  But this morning, we didn't have water.  It is impossible to shower without water, if there is a way, I don't  know of it.

We did start our new blog, as grandparents, for Millie's birthday.  Please go there and see the pictures, the little girl who is also turning four this month.  It was fun, and we shall continue to do so.  Our blog as grand parents will be changed from time to time, for it is just being born. Mom is working with Joe about putting all our pictures and videos on some other place that all can see, so we won't be placing all our photos on this blog. I think you can get there from here, but I don't know, thus Bonnie will include with this blog how to get there when she puts her five cents in.

I can't believe it, I am teaching my fifth class today on Joseph Smith, and get to start teaching a new class to investigators tomorrow. I am excited about teaching that one, even in my limited language abilities.  They are coming, but not too fast.  It isn't the teaching that is important, it is the Spirit that accompanies the teaching.  I assume I am able to do that, bring in the Spirit. 

My 5 cents:  Of course he is able to bring in the Spirit...I watch him with awe and wonder as he does just that every class he teaches.  And his Spanish is great!  I'd be a little lost puppy without him speaking for both of us.  Mine, is very limited but growing little by little.  Last night we had the opportunity to feed 4 of the elders...two AP's and 2 office elders.  They have helped us so much with getting things set up here that we wanted to thank them.  So, I put on my little apron and with my limited kitchen tools in hand, 2 small frying pans and a tiny stove, I made 18 pieces of yummy (If I do say so myself) artery-clogging chicken fried steak.  And all but 3 pieces were gone, gone, gone when these hungry elders were done.  Beef is a luxury here.  I got some nice cube steaks at Price Mart and Bill whipped up his famous creamy "yellow, not red" potatoes...they're called papas here.  Lots of fattening gravy or "carne salsa" to top it off and a green salad, the lettuce I had to wash and wash to get the dirt off and of course rinse in chlorox, but it tasted good with Ranch dressing.  We also had a beautiful, large, ripe and very sweet cantaloupe for dessert.  One of the elders said that the cantaloupe would surely cancel all the artery clogging elements of the meal.  The others heartily...I hope their hearts did too...agreed.  They loved it.  We stood and watched them chow down because we only have 4 chairs and they were supposed to BYOP (bring your own plates) but they forgot so we served them on our 4 plates.  But, our little table wouldn't hold more than 4 anyway.  It was a pleasure to see how delighted they were and how much they ate!  I did want to fill them up and I think I did!  One of them said, "This is the best meal I've had for a long long time!"  Music to these mother ears.   And now they're motivated to help get us drapes and screens and tomorrow we're getting our place fumigated.  None too soon as we had another cucaracha visitor last night.  When or where do they come in or are they just here all the time.  Ugh!  I'm sure they eat well here since there are hosts of tiny ants.  I'm told the insecticides here are very powerful (not allowed in the USA) so it should do the trick.  Let's hope it doesn't kill us, too!

Here's the address to our blog for the grandkids.  Enjoy! Misty, please add the addresse of each of our grandkids so when we blog for them, (below) they  will get an email telling them.  Thanks Melissa.
(anyone else who wants to see it, is welcome.)

http://funwithgmaandgpa.blogspot.com/

Some readers have asked, "What do I do if I want to add a comment."  I would say, just click on add a comment, and then add a comment.  If that doesn't work, please let me know and I shall do some research and try to find out what one would do to add a comment.

13 October, 2012

A word or two from me about the "roach incident.'  First of all, I had just finished telling my friend Susie on the phone that I had never seen a cockroach in my apartment...we saw a big one at the Institute building this week but thankfully nothing here.  Bad timing.  So those little buggers (no pun intended) have a sense of humor!  Secondly, it was not a "little guy."  It was huge!  At least 2 inches long and dark brown with long tentacles and very ugly!  And it was in MY KTICHEN!  Thirdly, who ever wrote that cute little jingle called "La Cucaracha?"  I want to strangle them.  I remember dancing to that little ditty in elementary school with our straw hats and colorful skirts and clapping and hopping around and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.  Well, I was hopping and jumping around last night but I'm here to tell you there's nothing about a cucaracha that's enjoyable!  Nada!  My heart rate is up just remembering the shock of seeing it scampering around my kitchen, running up and down the floors (thankfully not the walls..yet.)  We bought a very large can of Raid for "cucarachas, chiripas and hormigas."  I have no idea what those other beasts are and please...I don't want to ever know!  I'm sleeping with the can under my pillow tonight.  Billy better not roll over and startle me or he may get it in the face!  (I wonder what it does to 2-legged lovable beasts?)  :)

13 October 2012

I knew it would happen.  It was just a matter of time. It was coming, though I could not forecast the "when" of it's appearance.  But it finally did come.

Last night, I was just starting to drift off to sleep while Bonnie was doing "things" around the place here and I hear a blood curling scream.  I immediately jumped out of bed to see what was the matter, when what to my wondering eyes should appear...  Oops.  I got side tracked there.  I was running to find out what was happening with my companion.  She was still screaming as she blurted out, "There is a cockroach in my kitchen!"  Sure enough, there he was, looking at Bonnie, threatening.

So, I put on my armor and decided to tackle it.  (If I didn't, there would have been  a mutiny.)  So, I looked at the little guy  in his eyes and challenged him to a battle.  It was him or me.  One of us had to die.  There wasn't room enough in our apartment for both of us to remain living in the same space.  So I took off my slippers and engaged battle.  He sped away and finally under the stove.  His tactic was to hide.  Well, he finally snuck out his head from under there and of course I jumped.  Finally, I battled to show how brave I was and squashed him. 

Bonnie was relieved but then said that she would be looking everywhere for the rest of the "-roach" family.  I tried to convince her that he was an only child, but she would have none of that. It messed up her night, no sleep, worrying about being overrun with  cockroaches.  (I slept like a baby.)

I wanted to take a picture of his SMASHED little body to show you all how dreadful he was, but there was none of that.  I just enjoyed accolades for my bravery, battle skills, and the power of my slipper on top if his head.  So, today, I have to do research to find the location of his entrance and eliminate it for future possible entrances of the rest of the roach family.  What a way to spend P day.

At least there wasn't a rous- a rodent of unusual size.  And I am a hero today. 

12 October 2012

Brownies a plenty! Yesterday was a memorable day for the chief cooks and bottle washers at the Cosina del Instituto (kitchen of the Institute.)  Donned with apron and spatula in hand and a beautiful working oven, we made 192 brownies for our first official activity.  After under cooking the first batch of brownies by a lot...ooey-gooey...more cooking...more cooking...figuring out the temperature of our new institute oven...finally less gooey but impossible to get off the pan with the lame spatula just purchased.  (Where is my little pampered chef spatula when I need it!)  I think we have the formula for the right temperature of our new Institute oven...we have to cook things 25 degrees hotter than it calls for.... oh well.  We'll get it right!  Thank heavens for one lone plastic knife with which to cut said brownies.  Don't know where the rest of the plastic knives went but one did the trick!  (I'm keeping it under lock and key!)  The one sharp knife available (the kitchen's not stocked yet...uh, ya think?) we used to keep students away from brownies as the smell wafted through the building.  All day on our feet, running, running...Brother Breton (director) calling out "Elder," every 5 minutes and Bill running hither and thither at his beck and call, setting up screen and projector for movie, setting up chairs, fixing this and that.  Well, you get the picture.  And speaking of picture, the movie was a Spanish one called "Three Idiots."  The kids loved it.  Lots of laughter.  Bill scooped ice cream on top of endless brownies...the activity committee was somewhere...watching the movie I guess.  We sneaked out before it was over after cleaning and mopping and hoping that the "committee" would show up for putting chairs back and getting classrooms ready for today.  All in all, it was successful...we think!  Guess we'll find out if we're in trouble for leaving early...9:30.  We fell into bed last night with sore backs and feet but it was wonderful!

A word about my 2nd music directing class.  It was fun!  I wasn't so nervous this time.  My Spanish still stinks...sometimes I think I'm getting worse, not better...but the kids are so patient and helpful and want me to speak.  They shout out the words for me when I can't think of them...it's so cute.  I told them I would say things in English first and then Spanish so I could remember where in the heck I am in my lesson.  That helped.  I still have to read a bunch but I did enjoy it so much more this time.  We practiced hearing that elusive downbeat and I had them taking turns in front of the class.  The time flew by...that's always a good sign.  Things are looking up!  :)

 

I get to teach another class tonight, Principles of the Gospel.  It is a new one, so we shall see if anyone comes.  We purchase our water, for washing, brushing teeth, etc.  It is interesting there are about four companies that sell bottled water.  And it is even more interested that the different water tastes so different. There is one company that tastes like it came out of Utah lake.  Another, like it came from Jordan River.  One is passable, so we try to purchase that "brand" of water.  Nice huh?  I haven't seen the gun-wielding dudes for a while, so I guess we are OK, as long as I don't ......

Often I pause to consider that we are on the Lord's errand down here.  He sent us here.  Yes, we work with the Institute and the youth, but I keep feeling there is more that He wants us to do, more than just work with the Youth.  I have been pleading with the young missionaries to begin a "gator" class, and next week we are inviting new gators to that class, and yes, you guessed it, I get to teach that one also.  I am looking forward to that one.  We shall see, I have put myself into teaching three classes each week.  Wonderful.  Bon is teaching her one, but wants to begin a choir.  We shall see what time brings.  I am still working on my pass along cards, will explain that one later, if I haven't yet.  And a few other things.  Enuf for now.

    

8 October 2012

Conference was wonderful.  You should have heard the gasp when the prophet lowered the age to serve a mission.  It will immediately increase the number of elders and sisters we have in the field.  We need it.  There is so much work to do here that the full timers can't get to it.  Wish there was something the prophet could do to increase the number of OLDER missionaries.

Saturday, I missed watching Priesthood session with the boys, and then scrambling for chicken.  Traditions are the thing that make this a bit hard, knowing that we cannot participate in traditions for a short time.  Between sessions, we again ran to one of the stores, as we do most often.  Our day for preparation is just going and purchasing things we need.  One day perhaps we shall go and see places, but not yet. (The two pictures about P day were with our director, thus nothing from us on P days yet.)

Anyway, between sessions, we entered a store, and there were FIVE men with guns holding them, menacingly, showing everyone that their fingers were on the trigger.  It was quite interesting.  We looked around and they were emptying an ATM, and that took FIVE men with  those long guns, about the  length of a baseball bat.  ( I think they are sawed off shotguns, nice huh?) Of course we did not say we were there to rob a bank, hijack the plane, nor anything like that, we just quietly entered the store, expecting to hear gun fire at our back, not directed at our back, but who knows.

I would hate to comment on conference for I would have to write a long time about what impressed me, and where we need to lengthen our stride, have courage, faith, and go for it.  Loved so many speakers, especially Elder Holland's one about fishing, fishers of men, and the events surrounding that. 

No ROUS's have entered our house yet.  We do pay a lady to iron my shirts, but it is a donation, for it is helping her out.  We eat a SMOOTHIE (I love this movie, or something like that) (I'd love a smoothie) almost every day, full of the good fruit here.  We are drinking water more now, since we purchased a water cooler.  That makes us much better healthy,  stronger, jump small buildings with a small bounce, etc, but we "run" a bit more often. 

I am so proud of Bon, for she is teaching a class in directing and struggles so, but consider that she has been here a bit less than four weeks, and she is teaching a class in Spanish, and the kids are learning.  WOW.  She is making great progress, thanks to prayers in her behalf.  I get to teach one, but today it was added upon, thus I shall get to teach  three classes, and Bon two, one in English, anyway, possibly teach in English in the coming weeks.  My  Spanish is coming, but when these natives get going, they speak the speed of a supersonic jet, not being able to understand almost anything, they drop s's and other parts of words and I just cannot understand them too often.  Consider teaching a class, asking questions and having to say, good comment, but what did you say?

This is my beautiful companion!!

We miss all of  you, but are enjoying ourselves here in the DR.  I talked with a young lady tonight who said she is putting in her papers for being a missionary, and she looks to B and me as her surrogate parents.  Her parents are not members, and she hopes for a miracle for her parents to accept her decision to serve as a missionary.  She is excited.  These kids down here are so dedicated, doing all they can do, and loving the Lord even when they do not have the support of their family.  What a glorious opportunity we have to be here.  Thanks everyone for prayers, your support, and your concerns. 

                                                           Elder P dancing!  (Yes, it's OK)

                                                       Hermana P dancing...of course!

                                                        A whole bunch of hips!
                                                                 

                                               P-day in the mountains with our director

 

.

                                                         P-day sunrise on the beach

 

                                                             Could they add any more?

6 October 2012

Well, the work goes forward.  In talking to those who run  the Institute, we decided to start another Institute class, "Principles of the Gospel" and of course I get to teach  it.  Wonderful.  I have been talking with the elders and we are starting another class to discuss the real basics of the gospel for the new contacts they find, a sort of introduction to the lessons the elders will teach, and of course I have begged to be permitted to teach that one also.  We are proceeding forward as if, and we shall see what happens.

We are starting a few tournaments in the Institute, for the kids come in between classes and play different games, like foosball, ping pong, and pool.  So I have suggested that we hold a tournament with them, exciting the  students.  They, of course, love competition. 

In talking to the elders, we have come up with another brilliant idea.  Bon and I go around each  Sunday and visit young adult classes and meet the leadership.  There are 26 wards or branches, and thus it will take a while to get to them all, but if we ask for a print out of those young kids, it will help.  We have found that there are about 10% of the kids on the church rolls that attend and the rest are less active.  If we could get a list of those young kids, with their addresses, I would give it to the elders and have them go around to meet them, verify addresses, find reasons why they are not coming and of course do their missionary work.  This would benefit us as well as them.  Good idea?

Anyway, that is one more idea we are pursuing to see if we can reclaim some of those who have lost their way.   It will help the missionary work also. 

We are still looking for the avenue pursue to get a few "pass along cards" designed for specifically this area.  We feel that it would be great for any member and even the  youth to pass out in their daily travels.  Another way to invite people to find out about our church.

Driving:  Last night, half or more of the people in Santiago were on the roads.  I was paused in this lane where there were about  ten other cars sitting, then this semi, large truck slowly approached and passed me on the right.  His bed of the truck was not more than one half inch (truly, I got out a ruler and it was only half an inch) away from my  side mirror.  I was sure I was going to lose it.  Just one more experience with people, driving, and such. 

The work is going, and we are excited to watch Conference.  We will stream it on my laptop, but  it is two hours after everyone else watches it.  Priesthood will be from 8 - 10 tonight.  But we shall get it.

5 October, 2012

Another new experience for Hermana Partridge.  Yesterday, I taught my first music class in Spanish!  Well, I'm not sure that's what I was stumbling through but I know it surely wasn't English!  I'm teaching a 12-week course on conducting using the Church Music course.  As you would guess, this would be nothing but pleasure for me if I could do it in English.  But alas, we are in a Spanish-speaking country and I do want to learn to speak this beautiful language so I agreed to try.  I had 16 college students, eager and willing to be patient with me.  I had to read most of what I said from the manual but I did have the students marching in place, keeping time with the beat...uno, dos, tres, uno dos, tres (first lesson...hearing the beat.)  This is very important because from what we have seen so far, leading the music in church does not necessarily equate with understanding and hearing the beat.  When I watched the YSA's dance at the fiesta 2 weeks ago, I would never have guessed some of them can't follow the beat when they lead.  They certainly do understand the beat when they dance!  So my plan is to get them dancing first!  We met for 1 hour and I survived!  They will get one credit for the 12-week course so I must get good at this.  I'm busy learning phrases to say so I don't have the read so much.  I introduced myself, showed pictures of our family and introduced the course and even shared D&C 25:12 and testified that Heavenly Father would bless them as they learned and used new musical skills.  I had much anxiety over doing this in Spanish but now that the first one is behind me, I hope that I will be more relaxed next week.  Talk about feeling humble and in great need of help from the Almighty!  Father has a way of placing us where we REALLY need to turn to Him, doesn't He!  And I do and I did!  Since music is the universal language, I'm counting on my love for music to transcend any difficulty in speaking.  Va a venir!  "It will come!"    

3 October 2012 -- ONE MONTH

Well, one month  ago today, we entered the MTC.  What an experience, to be where we dropped five of our six kids off and watched them enter the Mission-Life.  Then last month we did the same thing.  It was full of food, thousands of missionaries, food, spiritual feasts, food, learning, food, and thoroughly enjoying ourselves with teachings from those who have been there, done that.

We flew out of SLC on the17th and have been in the Dominican Republic since then.  We have been setting up for life here.  We assume that we shall be here for 17 more months helping in the Institute program.  We are still getting our feet wet, adjusting to the heat, the food, the driving, the people, and the missionary way of life.  What a joy it is, being with Bonnie, enjoying new experiences with her, overcoming obstacles together, discussing goals, plans, and supporting each other.

I taught my third class last night on the First Vision.  She will be teaching her first class tomorrow night about directing music.  She  is scared, for her Spanish is weak, but she will try, and do a great job.  We have about twelve young adults signed up to take her class, and when she can't talk much, she is concerned, but the Spirit will suffice, I am sure.

There are three different entities here in the church. The Institute, the Mission, and Church.  Often they are protective of their turf, and often don't see the value of working together. Perhaps that is one of the reasons we are here, to break down turf boundaries?

I have 800 pesos in my pocket and figure I am rich.  But that is about $20.  It makes me feel RICH, but in reality, I can't purchase many of the things we need with $800 pesos.  Another adjustment. 

No one with guns today, no rats or lizards, no ants or rodents, many near accidents (they are a way of life here), and a challenge to work on every day.  We enjoy being the Savior's messengers and will enjoy it more and more every month for 17 more.

1 October 2012

Well, today we were out shopping to find something to keep our water cold, as well as find a place to purchase our water....  Well, we found this place called La Sirena, and I found the only way I could get into it was to go in the salida, or the exit in our car.  I did, got parked, and then this dude, this big dude knocked at our window before we got out of the car.  Behind him was this ugly, large, giant dude with a large uzzi, or a large gun, or a Colt 45, or I don't know what kind of gun it was, but it was a long as a baseball bat.  This guy was right behind this guy knocking at our window.  We quickly rolled down the window and of course smiled.  "What can we do for you officer?"

Our knees were shaking, wondering if the guy with the gun had itchy fingers, and if was really loaded.  We didn't want to find out so we politely listened to the dude.  He said that the next time we come to their market, we should not enter the exit, but we should enter the entrance.  It was OK this time, but never again as long as he lives, as long as we live, and probably as long as you all live too.

It was sort of scary, wondering if he was there to enforce what the officer said to us.  He did have a smile, but that might have been the smile that comes before the angry dude starts shooting up our car?

We learned another lesson today, never enter an exit.  It was funny, cause at another store, right after that one, I found another exit, tried to enter, and the guy waved me off, and then I was sitting with incoming traffic, and everyone started to honk.  I got my three daily honks in one short ten second period today.  Bonnie thought we were going to be shot, crushed, ran into, and other things.  But here we are at the end of the day, still alive, whole, and wondering if that guy's gun was loaded, but not wanting to find out