We got a few more details on Sister Everette’s accident last week. She told Pres. Hendricks she thought she had broken some ribs and maybe even her shoulder after being hit by a car as they were walking to a teaching appointment. Then the next morning she wasn’t even sore and didn’t have any bruising. The Lord does protect his missionaries.
We were happy to be able to talk to each of our children to wish them Happy Birthday last week. Michael’s birthday was Wednesday, Sarah’s on Saturday, and Amy on Sunday. We are so grateful for all of our family and appreciate the technology that allows us to see and talk to you! We also appreciate your love and support.
Last week zone conferences were held throughout the mission. Monday and Tuesday, Pres. Hendricks and the Assistants went to Nassau, Bahamas where the Elders from Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas as well as the Elders from the Turks and Caicos Islands met. Then Wednesday Spanish Town and Kingston Zones held their conference. The Elders from the Cayman Islands flew in to meet with us. The schedule to get them to the Bahamas was not as good as to get them here—they would have had a 15 hour layover in Miami, FL. Thursday, North Coast Zone met in Ocho Rios and Friday, Mandeville Zone met in Savanna-la-Mar. We just attended our zone conference on Wednesday and then manned the office the rest of the week. I was busy getting New Member Packets and mail ready to send to all the conferences. I also got things ready for Pres. Hendricks to sign on Wednesday since he was out of the office much of the week. We had two couples from the Area Offices visit and speak at the conferences. The area medical advisor (Dr. Kilgore and his wife who is a nurse) and the area mental health advisors (The McDermits, both counselors). I always love attending Zone Conference. I feel like the pump has been primed again! The talks and presentations were inspiring. I love to hear the testimonies from the new missionaries as well as those of the missionaries who are soon to return home. And I get to play a real piano as I accompany the hymns. I have always loved “Called to Serve” but it has an added dimension now when I sing with the missionaries we are serving with. We went to Gauchos for a late lunch/early dinner with the Hendricks, Kilgores, McDermits and other senior couples after the zone conference. Then we went back to the office to set out mail for the next two zones and Elder Daniels paid some bills and got a cheque we delivered to a gas station on the way home.
Thursday we finally got the work permit exception letters so we can apply for visas for the missionaries coming next week. It used to take about 3-4 weeks after all the documents were submitted but it has been taking 6-7 weeks. Since it takes about a week to get the visas, this is getting too close for my comfort level! We also helped Sister Flake with some details on the upcoming all-Jamaica Young Single Adult conference and brought home a draft of the t-shirt design for Sister Smith to spruce up with her Photoshop skills.
Friday we had several deliveries from FedEx and DHL and I got more done on the final baptism certificates for the missionaries leaving soon. We were hampered by one of our phone lines not working. I got a head start on our laundry and worked for a couple of hours to find pictures on the internet to use in Primary.
Saturday we went on an outing with the Whiteheads after doing our household chores. We drove up Stony Hill Road to a restaurant by the river called Boone Hall Oasis. It truly is an oasis after the crowded sights of Kingston. There were beautiful flowers, huge trees, and vines. The restaurant was outdoors, had a limited menu, but very good food. The prices were surprisingly affordable. We had barbequed chicken, steamed carrots and green beans, fried plantain, and Spanish rice (curried rice with vegetables). When we were driving back to Kingston we saw huge spiders on their webs on the electrical wires overhead. Afterwards we walked around Devon House (built by the first millionaire in Jamaica in the 1800s). There are beautiful grounds and shops as well as the house which can be toured. We all enjoyed delicious Devon House ice cream cones. That night we went to the mission office to work on Primary visual aids
Sunday we left early for Yallahs so we could take the new computer and get it set up before our meetings. We found an investigator and four children waiting there. They didn’t know the baptisms were changed to be after church instead of before. The missionaries taught them a lesson until time for church. We had 30 at church—10 were not of our faith. We had six in Primary—none were members. Sister Lofters gave a good lesson on the Word of Wisdom and the children loved the game I prepared where they put pictures of food and drinks into paper bags with either a happy face or frowny face. Sister Lofters bore her testimony about how she used to like to drink tea and coffee but after she joined the church she is able to feel the Spirit in her life and feels better as she obeys this commandment. After church we transported people to the beach where we held a baptismal service. The waves were pretty high so we moved down the beach to a river where it empties into the Caribbean. Jhuel (14) and Bristol (12) were baptized. It was a wonderful to see how happy they were. Their mother and older brother (19) are members who have recently come back into activity. Their little brother (8) comes to Primary. His father doesn’t think he is mature enough to be baptized now, but we hope he can be soon. There was a group of swimmers near the spot for the baptism, but when we started singing the first hymn they moved away and remained respectful during the service. One of the Elders spoke on baptism, the YW President spoke on the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and the other Elder sang, “When I Am Baptized”. It was a very nice service. We are very happy for these two newest members of the Church in our branch. We had several branch members come to the baptismal service to provide support. Afterwards, we went back to the church to finish up paperwork. We had to bring the computer back to Kingston since we don’t have a replacement router yet and the enhanced security isn’t completed yet at the church. We were very late getting home but joined our neighbors, the Smiths for soup before enjoying a Skype call to wish Amy Happy Birthday.
Today I found out that the Panama Temple President is a Richardson from Virden. His dad was my high school math teacher! What a small world!
We hope you are all well. We love you so very much.--Mom and Dad/Sister and Elder Daniels
No comments:
Post a Comment