Happy New Year!
This week we have attached a picture of a beautiful hybrid hibiscus that grows on the grounds of the NCB Atrium building across the street from the mission office.
Elder Dale called to share a “Christmas miracle” with me last week. I received a referral from a mission in Canada and called to give it to Elder Dale and Elder Ngubane. They couldn’t find the address and no phone number was available. The street wasn’t on any of their maps and they couldn’t find it when asking around. Last Tuesday they went to their apartment earlier than usual for lunch and then didn’t take as long as usual for their lunch break. As they were walking and searching for the address of the referral, a lady approached them and asked where they served and what they were looking for. When they responded, she said she lived at #168 on that street. They said, “Hello, Maxine.” She was their referral! They went and met her family and they all committed to be at church the next Sunday. The rest of the story is also interesting. One of the Office Elders, Elder Gurr, asked me if we had received a referral from a Canadian mission. I told him that we had and it was for Maxine. Elder Gurr said one of his friends had told him that he had taught her before she moved to Jamaica.
Wednesday afternoon I went with the Flakes to Spanish Town as they picked up a plaque Brother Laughton made for them. I wanted to see his shop, hoped to see him use his potter’s wheel, and see some of his finished pieces. He teaches ceramics and is an accomplished artist. We stopped to pick up chicken feed for one of the families the Flakes work with on the way back to Kingston.
Thursday we stayed at our apartment as did all the missionaries since it was Jamaica’s election day. Gratefully there were few incidents throughout the country and all the missionaries were safe. Elder Daniels brought home things to work on, I did housework. That evening we had dinner with the Smiths, here in our apartment complex.
When I visited with Annette this week, she said something that captures my feelings, too: “How can we not serve a mission when we think of what our ancestors did? They left all they had and didn’t know if they would ever return.” We do have a rich heritage of righteous forbearers.
Friday we were back at the mission office and were happy to receive the first of our Christmas packages. It was stamped as arriving in Jamaica on Dec. 16th but had been delayed in customs. With the holidays and elections many things were delayed. We paid the rent for the apartment for our new missionary couple a week ago and their power is still not on so they are still at the mission home. (We got a call this afternoon that their power is now onJ).
Saturday I did laundry and we did our grocery shopping. Then I stayed home to do some cooking while Elder Daniels went to the mission office to catch up on some work. I fixed a stuffed pumpkin and some tortilla rollups. It takes several hours to brown the hamburger, cook the rice, add seasonings and then bake the pumpkin. We were happy to have it ready to warm up when we returned home Sunday night. We took the rollups to our dinner at the mission home Saturday night. We were happy to get to know the Larsen’s better. About 10:30 we wished each other an early Happy New Year and all went home. We were able to Skype our family and friends, the Battraws, who were attending the 19th annual New Year’s Eve party at our home in Mesa. We were happy to hear the Battraws plan to serve a mission this year.
Sunday we had some special experiences. Jevan, who was baptized on Christmas Eve, was confirmed by Bro. McGowan. It was the first time Bro. McGowan had ever performed that ordinance. Elder Daniels whispered a phrase at a time until time for the blessing when he told him to proceed as directed by the Spirit. Bro. McGowan pronounced a beautiful blessing. Afterwards, when bearing his testimony, Bro. McGowan said he loved how he felt when he had the Spirit. Several members who had not been to church in a long time were at church as well as some investigators. We had to bring in more chairs and still some were in the hall and on the patio. We had 43 at Sacrament Meeting and a couple more came later. We took Abby home after our meetings and then I taught three music lessons.
We invited the Office Elders to dinner last night since I had leftovers. We don’t usually have missionaries over because I don’t have time to cook and am too tired by the time we get home.
Today we got notice of another missionary coming in April. We have six coming in February and six more coming in April. We were hoping to have notice of a senior couple coming, but haven’t gotten that yet.
We appreciate the chance to re-evaluate our lives with the New Year. How grateful we are for the Savior who provided a way for us to repent so we can keep improving and enjoy the fruits of the “plan of happiness”.
Love,
Sister and Elder Daniels
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