2 March 2012

We are enjoying these last few days at home, not having to travel for a couple of weeks, except to Mt. Barker for our home teaching, which is relatively close.

We’ve been having lots of things happen lately that have made us question our value here in the mission.  Elder Ashby said we must be doing something right, because Satan seems determined to stop us from teaching.  Even tonight we got a text from one of our home teaching contacts saying that she doesn’t want us to contact her any more.  We have been having one thing after another for the last while, but we have also been consciously trying to listen or read things that help us be positive.  Today we listened to an old CES fireside with dear, dear Elder Faust as the speaker.  I just loved him.  He talked about being your best at the worst of times.  We have been trying to do better at our part by using our time effectively, and planning better.

Well, talk about blows!  Last night I had a sister tell me that the members expressed some misgivings last time I taught Sunday School.  She didn’t know if I would be allowed to teach because they weren’t used to being taught like I do. She said they don’t read regularly from their scriptures, and they couldn’t understand teaching like that!  She said that they are different down here because some of the members don’t even have the LDS scriptures yet, and they have to be taught things they understand.  Funny how the members are coming in increasing numbers to Institute class!  I could say more, but I won’t.

I have seen a podiatrist a couple of times here in Albany.  He sold me some new orthotics and some new granny shoes, about which I cannot be excited.  But I am so anxious to have some relief to my feet, I have to do something!  I am taping them, which helps quite a bit.

We met a lady the other day who was stranded with her car.  E. Ashby tried to get it going, but we ended up taking her to the bank and then to her home.  She was a friendly and intelligent person from South Africa.  She said she was a smoker and would like to give it up, so we offered to have her join a class we’re getting ready to teach on stopping smoking.  We have been asked by President Holder to teach several members of our branch from a program we got from the young Elders.  They claim to have really had success with it.

Our nights here are turning cool.  We have slept with our windows closed for the last few nights.  That was a short summer!  At least with the cool nights, we seem to be having a welcome reprieve from the ants!  They were just about to carry us off to who knows where!  We have sprayed and sprayed, and even set out bait!

We bought a new dining table yesterday.  It will have to be put together when it comes.  It’s not terrific, but better than what we have, and it will make a difference in the look of our front room.  That was fun!