Happy Pioneer Day

Happy Pioneer Day! It has changed our perspective a bit to be working with modern-day pioneers here in Jamaica who are first or second generation members of the Church. We certainly appreciate all those who went before us to establish the church and plant testimonies deep in the hearts of our family.

Jhuel and Bristol were confirmed today in Sacrament Meeting. We had scripture sets in the Branch President’s office so gave them their scriptures and will get the rest of the items for their New Member packets later. They were thrilled to use the scriptures in Sunday School and Young Women.

We got caught in a sudden rainstorm when we were picking up Abby for church. Abby had an umbrella that we kept over her as we were getting her wheelchair pushed over some big rocks—two semi trucks being repaired were blocking the way we usually go. We both looked like a bucket of water was poured over our heads! We dried out slowly because of the high humidity and had no worries of becoming chilled because we got wet. Elder Daniels looked pretty much as usual after combing his hair­­--I can’t say the same for me!

The visas still haven’t come for the missionaries due to come this Tuesday. They have been sent by the embassy in Florida and the plan is for Veronica, the church travel employee, to track the package, pick it up, and drive it to the MTC. Since Monday is a holiday in Utah (commemorating Pioneer Day) the offices won’t be open. Gratefully Veronica is going to go the “second mile”. So Tuesday night we will either get 3 Canadian elders (who don’t need visas) or 7 missionaries (the 3 Canadians + the 4 Americans who do need visas). I wish we were back on the 3-4 week schedule for the Ministry of Labour to provide the work exemption letters. It really complicates things when it takes 6-7 weeks.

We had the office elders cover for us at 3:30 Thursday afternoon and then we went to dinner with the Flakes, Schaefermeyers, Whiteheads, Smiths (serving in Portmore), and the Smiths (serving in Ocho Rios). We had just been to Boone Hall Oasis last Saturday with the Whiteheads but the other couples heard how nice it was and wanted to go. We really don’t care what we do when we are with the other couples—it is just nice to be together. We did enjoy the beautiful scenery and a delicious salmon dinner though. We have attached pictures from this outing. Sister Whitehead is with me and a beautiful floral arrangement in the first picture. Notice the size of the flower in the second picture! And what a beautiful tree with us in the third one.

Yesterday we did our chores and then went shopping. We needed to restock the mission office candy dish supply and get a few other groceries. I made a potato salad for our senior couple Family Home Evening activity tomorrow. We are having a barbeque lunch to commemorate Pioneer day.

We attended a baptism in the Constant Spring Branch last night. There was a funeral in that branch earlier in the day and a district young adult activity and the missionaries wanted to have a good group to offer support to the new member. I appreciated that the missionaries had a brief testimony meeting in the time after the baptism when the participants were changing. It really helped keep the Spirit in the baptismal service.

We send our love,

Mom and Dad/Sister and Elder Daniels