my roller coaster week...........

This week has been a real roller-coaster ride! AGH!!!!! Started out ordinary enough--the buyer of the old cars came to get them; we received new cars and went to pick them up.........then I hit the bottom. Getting out of the car to drive it to the office I dropped my iPod and the screen broke!!! I cried!! I have loved this iPod! Our children gave it to me for Christmas. I have read conference talks, Ensign(s) and Relief Society lessons on it........it's been through thick and thin over the past four years (I think that's about how long I've had it). And then, through my carelessness it is broken! .......well, just the glass.......everything else worked just fine. I so hoped Apple could just replace the glass. No. They don't do that. I could pay $150 to get it replaced and they would take the "broken" one, refurbish it and resell it. Or! I could pay $50 and get an iPhone. Soooooo...........I have now entered the ranks of the "smart phone people" AND I'M STRUGGLING WITH THAT!!!!!! It's a constant reminder that my phone is smarter than I am!!!!! I'm s.l.o.w.l.y learning and getting things put back together. Apparently there is no way to just plug my "devices" into each other and transfer the information........and I had to have the phone numbers off my old phone. For a while I was getting texts from "numbers"--and had to guess who! Crazy!! But now that is "fixed". I'm still heartsick every time I look at my shattered iPod. It connotes carelessness (as I said before), wastefulness, love of children (and I didn't take care of their great gift), all the things I've learned reading from it and the witness of the Spirit I have felt over and over. AND!!!! I have to make a change!!! AGH!!!!!! Roger has been so loving and supportive.......he helped me decide to go to an iPhone, thus reducing the number of things to keep track of and hold........which is a good thing........but still!!!! I'm sure I can move on. It's just one of those things for me............I resist change.........

We also had cause to drive out east of Birmingham--out toward Talladega on I-20. I finally had a chance to document something I've wanted to share with you many times. This guy has billboards all over the state!!! And they're thick!! not just one here and there. I'm not kidding!! There is one at the bottom of our street and about six more before you get to the freeway...........well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration........but truly!!! I have never seen such a concentration of billboard advertising anywhere in any way shape or form!!!!! Either he had a ton of money he had to use for something.............or the opposite............a dismal practice that needed resuscitation............ this is just a poor sampling..........and un-editted......

I wanted to get one of the "double" ones.........two billboards, one above the other, and somehow he split the picture and spread it over both!!! I don't know if it's lack of confidence, a floundering practice or an inflated ego!! Truly............it's something I have never seen the like of!!

The day was also a beautiful Alabama day............We had 3-4 days of real cold........well, down around 30 degrees--not real cold, but somehow, it feels really cold--that was Sunday night. It was even cold enough outside that we had condensation on the inside of our window!!!

Here are the ones I took on the road back to Birmingham.............lovely.............sorry for the reflection on the window.......but after my shattering (pun recognized) experience with my iPod, I was not going to take any additional chances!!!!

I love the clouds......... 

The sunset was spectacular.......but I missed the opportunity of being on the overpass where there were no trees and I was high enough.......so this one has blurry trees. I thought about deleting it, but then it reminded me of a Monet painting (pretty good company, I'd say) and the colors are so beautiful........and, again, I love the clouds in the one below.........the colors were so soft.......somehow, that comforts me in this out-of-control world. There is only One who can control the color and shape of the clouds.......and they speak peace to my soul............

And then........of course, there was Thanksgiving.......... We had a great time. Yes. We missed family. But we were with a wonderful group of people. President and Sister Hanks invited us to the mission home along with the other senior couple missionaries. I have some pictures........but I'm having a hard time getting them to where I need them............we had a wonderful day. Such good food!! When we left--the mission home is in an area you would never guess is five minutes from "the city". It was kind of like leaving the temple and having to come back to the real world...........I kind of forgot that for a time. It was kind of hard to leave............ But then we were able to skype with the children at home.........I'm so thankful for the blessing and opportunity to do that!!! It was so good to "see" everyone!! (I'll try to get the pictures on.........we are off on an "outing".......)

...rosy inside and out.........

There is a rosy glow outside right now as the sun gives his farewell salute........it's gorgeous......soft, peaceful, Southern twilight. This is a beautiful corner of our world. BYU is winning. Michelle is at the game and got to "shoot" the cannon!!! She has a friend in the "cannon crew".......so she was down on the field when BYU made their 2-point conversion. She is pretty excited.

Just a couple of fun things here.............this is Montgomery Highway as it goes north through Vestavia Hills. They did this for July 4th as well, and I didn't get a picture then. The flags are so pretty, all standing in the ground--the islands--about three miles........... I love it and wanted to share with you. I love our country.........and I know you do too...........

In our zone conferences this week, Elder Dube taught how Moses felt inadequate and that Father in Heaven sustained him and taught him..........he learned and grew and became confident and did all he was asked to do. So.......in MLC, President Hanks gave them a visual........... What a picture, huh? His suit coat on one of our totally committed, darling sisters. I think they could have put two of her in there! But he promised them they could "fill the mantle". It was a great meeting. I'm so thankful I can be here. In Huntsville he asked me to share my testimony..........gave me plenty of time to think about it, and I kept thinking of all the things I could testify of. Then they asked us to take one minute!! How can one possibly condense it all to one minute!?!?!??? I think I took a little longer than that.........but what a privilege. I can only depend that I said what He wanted me to say............ I love this mission!!!

catch up.............

Ahhhhhh..........so long..........first there is nothing to write about, and then so much going on I hardly have time to think about writing! I think I stress/worry so much about MLC and such a relief when it's over that I kind of "let down". I think that was the week I had the bumps removed from my head. (they are healing really well--so glad I did that!) Last week we had transfers...........

Roger and I went to the airport to help pick up our fifteen new missionaries and their luggage. So much fun!!!! We take them to the mission home, have dinner, Roger starts his first cars/safety training while I gather up all the drivers' licenses and pass ports--the pass ports we put in the safe at the office and I copy the licenses for the missionaries' files. Then back to the mission home. We came home for a while. They called us when they were ready to go to the hotel. Next day we went to the church for transfer meeting. I love transfer meetings. This time Pres. Hanks taught about goals. He calls them "BHAGS"--big, hairy, audacious goals. He wants them to make some......and then plan the smaller goals to lead to the big ones. I wish I had taken notes. Even now I'm not remembering things.

We had to be up and to the airport the next morning at 4:30 a.m. Again..........it was hard to tell a few of them goodbye..........and since they were going to be hugging their moms before the day was out, I hugged them goodbye. Some going "home" to...........well, I really don't know where he went home to. He is the only member in his family and they are not supportive in any way. Thursday was a long day.

I received my copies of the Book of Mormon. I should take another picture..........my room is filling up. We are going to have a "Book of Mormon Blitz"........or something like that, in January. I need a bunch more............I'm going to see what our "allotment" is come the first of December.........and order every one of them.

Roger got the next year registrations for all the cars. And we picked up two new ones yesterday. We are so thankful there is a new DMV just three blocks from the office. It's been wonderful to not have to sit/stand in line for an hour. He's been there three times and spent much less time than just one trip downtown.

We had stake conference last weekend. It was g.o.o.d.!! What a blessing to see a strong stake right here in Alabama. (There are several--six, I think, in our mission.) I love the safety I feel in a strong stake of Zion. And it's here too!

Elder Dube is here this week for a mission tour. We had a multi-zone conference today here in Birmingham. Tomorrow we are going to Huntsville.

I'll get some pictures for you next time..............

"I'm grateful to be............me!"

Sorry this is so long. You choose........

What a wonderful day..........past few days, really! Irene, you are right........working/serving makes us happy! Our MLC lunch worked out really well. We could have used more lettuce, and I've made a note of that. We took the leftovers to the missionaries serving in Ensley with us. They loved it!! 'Course, what 18-20 year old young man wouldn't love food he didn't have to prepare himself!?!?!?? It's not rocket science. I'm so thankful I get to participate in MLC. It's always so good! We get to associate with the committed, hard-working leaders of the mission.......the spirit is always there and I love to learn from Pres. Hanks. What blessings are ours!!!

Surely do love these people and count myself very blessed to know them! I know you can't see them very well, but you can see how we set up for MLC........the piano is behind the camera and we are sitting to the right against the wall. There is another table along the left wall for the President and Assistants.

So Pres. Hanks talked about "our vision".........I don't know really how to define that other than "what blessings do we want for serving"? That sounds really materialistic and serving for the wrong reasons, but it didn't when he explained it. (And he did not explain it as I just did!) He shared with us his vision: in ten years he wants to happen to run into one of his missionaries on Temple Square--the missionary with his/her family and the little six-year-old missing at least one front tooth looking up and him and declaring "we are steadfast in Christ"! It made me cry!!!!! just thinking about it! I want to be there too, to watch!! And to hear that precious, innocent child make her declaration! Can't you 'hear' it? So what is my vision? I'm trying to define it........might take me some time.

Ready for the meeting to begin........us, the Newmans, and the Joneses. All such good, faithful people! I love serving with them!! I think we all have a really good relationship with one another.

As I said, the lunch went well. We got it cleaned up. Went back to the office......well, Roger had an experience I'm sure he won't mind if I share--and you've wanted more from his point of view. He had two cars to "work" on/with. One needed a new bike rack, the other.......I've forgotten. (And he's gone home teaching). ...now he is home and I asked him.......I'll give you the short version. The other car had a trunk that wouldn't lock. He got the keys from the missionaries and went to work on the cars. In the midst of in and out of the cars and keys in and out of pockets he lost a set of keys. After unsuccessful attempts at finding them, he decided to go to the office and get the spare set. THERE WAS NO SPARE SET!!!!!! And the dealership would have to order a key and take several days! The drive back to the church was spent praying that he would find that key. In the trunk. Not there. On the ground in the parking lot. No. On the seat of one of the cars. No. On the floor? No. He was about to give up when he looked just inside the door kind of under the seat......there was a key poking up. Was it the key or another. IT WAS THE KEY!!!!!!! He was so thankful............and immediately offered a prayer of thanksgiving. We took it to the dealership and had another key made before the sisters returned to their area! And he told his experience to the lady who schedules the repairs--there are 4-5 of them, but he likes to talk with Cheryl and she is good to him. 'Course, he's taken them lots of business in the months we have been here.

I think "our" sisters are so beautiful!! 

Owwwww!!!!! some of these are going home this week!! I'm going to miss them!!! (The Assistants are sitting on the far right)

When we came home--after 5:00--and we were putting things away here, I realized I had left my favorite paring knife at the church!!! We were tired and didn't know if anyone would be at the church. We also wondered if the missionaries had finished off the root beer (Roger made some more) and then cleaned out the cooler. I texted the Assistants. They said they were near the church and would go check. I described my knife and told them I would owe them big-time if they could find it for me. They said they would bring it to the office "tomorrow". I asked "When are you coming to dinner?" They asked if tomorrow night would be okay? "What time?" They came at 6:30 Thursday night. It was so fun to have them here!!!! I asked Elder Van Dyke (he plays basketball for the U) what he hadn't eaten here that he would like to have.........can you guess??? Funeral potatoes!!!! So we had pork roast and funeral potatoes, green beans and a tossed salad. Wow! Come to think of it, that's almost exactly like a "funeral dinner"!!!! Oh well. They loved it and it was easy. I need to remember that. I would have asked Elder Posadas, but I didn't feel like I had a prayer of preparing something he would have eaten in Honduras. I noticed he wasn't shy about seconds and thirds though. It was just fun to have them here. It's wonderful to feel their goodness and hear (and watch) their desire to do whatever the Lord asks of them. And they get so tired. These young men really work really hard!! And all kinds of hours! It is a privilege and blessing to know them and work with them. 

The rest of the week was getting things ready for transfers this week.......... I received another order from distribution--it came LOTS faster than usual. I'm glad it's here. Roger put together some bikes. He has 1-2 more to do tomorrow and Tuesday morning. He's getting pretty good at it. Though occasionally he wonders "how does this go" or "is this the right way". We were trying to figure out fenders the other day and decided we would wait and let the missionary figure that one out. I think it was a bike he had had at home, so he will have an idea. Thank goodness!!! Sometimes we feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants!

I went to the doctor this week and had a couple of cysts removed from my scalp..........totally not-scary.......they were just tender and Roger wanted me to get them removed. So now they are really tender, but they are healing nicely and it will be good to have them gone. I was supposed to keep them dry for five days, but I was asked to speak in church today and just couldn't bring myself to stand in front of those dear people with four-day-old hair! So I washed it this morning and then immediately dried it and put neosporin on them. I'm sure I will be okay.

TGIM...........i.e. Thank Goodness It's Monday!

It's feast or famine here............and confession...........I've been "in the dumps" for a few days here. I haven't figured out what was going on, or if anything was going on. Crazy. Just kind of "down". I'm sure you have experienced it too--sometime or another. But today has put me on top again! The world wouldn't think that could happen on the Monday morning! It was so good to have Pres. and Sister Hanks walk into the office this morning for staff meeting. They were in Orlando last week for Mission Presidents' Seminar........four days! It was just so good to know they were home safely! And we had a great meeting!! I love our office staff meetings!!!!! Sister Newman says they remind her of faculty meetings (she taught kindergarten for 15 years)........thankfully I don't have that comparison. So I can love them completely unhindered. And then!!! Miracle of miracles!!!!!! My order of Book of Mormons came today!!!!! I was going to be short Spanish Book of Mormons......but now I have plenty, plenty, plenty!!! I'm so thankful!!! I had been praying they might come today, but didn't hold out much hope because FedEx has always called to schedule a delivery. But here they are!!!!

And I'm so thankful!! We have ninety-something boxes......well, for a few hours. I wish I had thought to have them unload them right into the van for the Assistants to take to MLC in the morning. Another thankful........they are so kind as to haul them out again tonight without complaining--all 49 boxes. I need to think of some way to sincerely thank them. We have another two great missionaries as Assistants. They just keep coming............love them!!!!! The new cart Roger insisted on getting is in the picture as well........

This is how I get the media orders ready...........each zone has a pile--at least one box, sometimes two, or sometimes just a grocery as you see to the left. Sister Newman has set the mail on top of each zone's orders. The Assistants will load them up and have them to the church in the morning. The big, narrow boxes against the wall are bikes for a couple of the new missionaries who will be arriving next Tuesday. Roger will put them together later this week.

We are having Navajo tacos tomorrow for lunch. I came home this afternoon to make the fry bread-- which I bake instead of fry........kind of makes it a little more authentic, like it was cooked in the ashes......without the ashes, of course. I figure the chili with heat it up again.......... It was a little tricky making that much bread in my little kitchen, but it worked........

I put the cooling rack over the one side of the sink and rolled it out on the table. About fifty "loaves". All done and ready to eat tomorrow. I think I'm ready to go....... I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow. I love MLC meeting. I have to present about tornado safety. I made a one page flyer with information of what to do, etc. Pres. Hanks made a few recommendations, I made the changes, it's in the packets for the zone leaders tomorrow. It's been a busy day........but a good one......maybe that's why I'm feeling so much better today. I love serving here.........

 

......a misty day in the "100 Acre Wood".......

I read back through my October posts so I could write a family letter to our children........you people are so patient!!!! Wow!! And now as I think what I should share with you this week, it's more of the same, I'm afraid!

I've had another week of getting quite a bit of embroidery done. However, one day I received a shipment of FORTY boxes!!! It was terrific!!!! Loved it!!! And not one Book of Mormon in the lot!! Which could be a curse.........though, I do have enough for MLC on Tuesday. I've come to the conclusion that I don't handle big dinners without a good amount of stress. (Oh really?!?!?) I don't want to stop doing them. I just need to figure out how to not be stressed, right? We are going to have Navajo tacos........should be no big deal. But I'm feeling it more than I should. ........I digress.........

My shipment came.........yes, a pretty big one. Remember, I told you Pres. Hanks wants us to get more than we need so we don't have to use the money after the first of the year so the new president will have plenty for what he wants. Make sense? I think it's a great thing to do..........so............"my" room is packed to the rafters!! I should have taken some pictures.........I will......... HOWEVER!!!! and you would think I would know this by now!!! I need to order more Book of Mormons!!! I told you about the shipment of 60 boxes.......well, one has gone here, two have gone there, some missionaries come in and take one with them (boxes, not single books)........I don't know how many there are now, but not enough in Spanish!!!!! AGH!!!!!! I have enough English. I'm praying my other order comes tomorrow........then I will have enough Spanish. And I didn't have all the DVDs they all wanted. I really don't know how to avoid that........no one wants any for a few months, so I don't order any, then SIX want them all the same month!!!!! Frustrating! But all I can do is order ten more and have them later..........

Pres. Hanks had kindly offered to stack some boxes in his office (he is rarely there anyway). So when this order of forty boxes came, I had the FedEx guy stack them outside my door (and his door). Sister Newman was right there........and they organized the stacks!!!! Bibles all here; Restoration pamphlets all there; large print Triples over there........etc............ I told him that wasn't necessary, but I guess Sister Newman had the last word. I let them sit for a day or so, 'cause I wasn't sure what I was going to do with everything. Then I got the orders from the zone leaders and needed to fill them........ the boxes found there way into the room.......some of them got emptied and the contents re-packed into two or three other boxes to go out. So then I just kept at it and got everything organized and put "away".........and it all fit in "my" room!!!!!  I'm excited about that!

Tomorrow I will need to do a little shopping and I'm going to spend the afternoon here at the apartment baking. I'm going to make the fry bread and some pumpkin bars for MLC which is on Tuesday. I'm a little nervous about the fry bread. Our family likes it baked.........probably, because that's the only way I make it.......and I made it that way for the trek two years ago. See? This is where the stress comes from. If I were sure they would like it, it wouldn't be anything to just put it all together. Roger tries to reassure me that it is food--therefore, they will like it! But that's not what I hope. I want the missionaries to like it because it is good food........not just any food! Make sense?? I'll let you know how it works out.

We had a baptism in the branch today. Three really!!! A brother and his two sisters. All teenagers. The mom is Hawaiian.......somehow the boy got a regular "John Ray Jones" kind of name while the girls got way........long...........Hawaiian.........names............. Elder Fanos did a great job saying the whole name!!! He baptized the two girls. And Elder Opare baptized the brother. Then they switched for the confirmations. I've wondered how long they had to practice to get those names learned so well. I was way impressed.

It's been rainy for three days now............soft, gentle rain......except for last night. It came down in torrents!!! There were waves running across the parking lot! I loved standing on the porch to watch it.  So I'll end with some pictures...........thanks for enduring to the end!!!!

Our stormy day here today.............It was beautiful! The clouds are so low you can't tell where the clouds start and the mist ends. Made me think of a misty day in the "100 Acre Wood" .

The street turning and going up to the right is Lorna Road. Our apartment is in the trees at the very top of the picture.

Little Valley Road........and it's really that steep. It's amazing the up and down of the roads here! 

We turn left and up some more............

Our apartment.......the one with the light on. Our front door is right behind the sign that says 2210.