Getting Comfortable?

So is it me, or are the elders getting more comfortable living here?  I had to smile last P-day because the they came up kind of early and shared cinnamon rolls with us, later that same day they came up to get their laundry and they left a loaf of bread for us, Elder T. said that they had made the bread... (I kind of doubt that).  I think they stopped at a bakery and bought the bread, but who am I to accuse a servant of the Lord of lying? 

This next story requires a little background so that you don't freak out that the elders are damaging my home...
In my house I have a small, but kind of formal living room with white  carpet and is kind of plush.  The reason I mention this is that I am kind of fussy about how I vacuum it.  When I vacuum, it has to be perfect with the nap all going the same direction and no lines in it.  Well my brother-in-law loves to tease and would often leave foot prints in it.  His son picked up on the tradition and so there are often strange marks in my living room carpet.  One of the past elders thought it would be fun to write my name in the carpet by drawing in the nap with his finger.  That was pretty funny, but it was more funny when my other nephew corrected the spelling of my name in the carpet as a note to the elder who misspelled my name.  Wait, this is still background.  That elder is home now (no he didn't get sent home for writing in my carpet, he served an honorable mission, even serving as a zone leader after leaving here).  Anyway he was trainer to Elder W. who still lives here, and last Monday I noticed my name written in the carpet again, and it was spelled wrong again.  So when I confronted the elders about it, Elder T didn't know anything about it, and Elder M said that he didn't do it, but knew who did it, I didn't need to be told that it was Elder W.  When Elder M talked about it he said that they were admiring how all neat and tidy the carpet was, when all of a sudden Elder W bent down and wrote my name in the carpet, he was shocked.  I just laughed.  You might think that this is out of line, but it is not at all out of line in my house, in fact I kind of encourage such behavior.  If you are considering hosting the missionaries in your home, you set the ground rules and if you don't want them writing in your living room carpet you just tell them and they will respect that request.  Elder T was afraid to cook in the apartment, because his last area the landlady was kind of fussy about them using their kitchen, so when I found that out, I told him that the kitchen is his and if he wants to cook, he is welcome to do so.  He was happy and is going to buy veggies and stuff to make omelets and other breakfast kinds of stuff.  (What?  Do they think the kitchen is just for show?)  I'm just sorry I didn't know earlier, so that they would have been more comfortable sooner.

So maybe this week's blog wasn't totally uplifting, but it is what I wanted to say, and since I am the author of this blog, I can indulge once in a while. 

That about wraps another week for this blog.  Make yourself even more awesome this week. 
Treat your missionaries to something special, invite your nonmember friends to visit with you and the missionaries, you will be glad you did.
God bless you this coming week.

The Spirit Leads and Elders Follow

So, I heard in Ward Council this morning that our elders are tearing it up out there.  This week they visited with a member who doesn't come to church very often.  It's interesting because the member had been feeling the need to reread the Book of Mormon and as part of that prompting, the missionaries came knocking on their door.  How cool is the Holy Ghost?  I just find it amazing how the Savior directs His work here on earth.  There are so many "coincedences" that happen in just the right way that I can't believe that it is just by chance.  The Lord loves His children and when we listen He will guide us.  Thank goodness for missionaries who are in tune with the Spirit!  Right now is a difficult time for our nation and many people are struggling.  I find it very awesome that the Lord would show his loving mercy to us and send worthy priesthood holders into the homes of those who need blessings.  Needless to say, the missionaries have another appointment with that member to teach one of the missionary lessons.

As expected we got a new elder last Saturday, he can drive and he is from California.  Welcome Elder M.  He fresh from a 2 (I think?) week stay at the MTC in Provo, UT.  He is waiting for a Visa and he will be going to Spain when it comes, he was supposed to go to the MTC in Spain last week except for the lack of a visa.  I am glad he is here, he is a fun elder and fits right in with Elder T and Elder W, I love them all.  Yesterday I had to take something down to the apartment and when I knocked on their door, I was greeted by them playing guitar and ukulele (you gotta love those island missionaries).  Our year and a half commitment is over by a few months, and I think I told you about the mission housing coordinator calling and talking to my mom about whether we wanted to have a break from the missionaries in our apartment, well mom said definitely NO.  I'm kind of feeling the same way, I love the wonderful spirit they bring into my home.  I bet if some of the members who live in our ward knew how awesome it is to have the missionaries in my home, they would be calling the mission office and complaining that I am hogging all the blessings for myself.  I hope the word doesn't get out, I like it just like it is.

Daylight savings time has kind of thrown me off a bit, but it comes as a reminder that the annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in just a few short weeks, I'm so excited to hear the words of inspired leaders, prophets and apostles.  This time we have missionaries who have been out less than a year and that means that none of them get to attend conference in person this time.  That just means that I might get a chance to have them watch conference here. 

Did you ever feel like you are one who just can't be a missionary?  Don't believe it, anyone can serve I saw this on Mormon Messages on the http://www.mormonchannel.org/ check it out.



Share your missionaries with someone you know.
May God bless you this week.  Remember the missionaries in your prayers.  When you pray, rather than pray that the spirit might direct the missionaries to someone who would hear the Gospel message, pray that you might be instrumental in leading them to someone who needs to be taught the Gospel.  Keep yourself awesome this week.

Is there a spy out there?

I don't know where the last week went.  I missed last week's post so this is what happened.  Wednesday was transfer day and when I got home from work Mom told me that she knew something I didn't know.  I guessed right that nobody was going to get transferred.  So we were relieved to keep Elder W and Elder T.  But Mom didn't know everything, because that night the mission president called the elders and told them that he had just learned that they were a companionship without a car.  He asked them each if they wanted to be transferred so that they could get into an area with a car. I was relieved to hear that they both declined.  So they then learned that a third elder who can drive would move in for the last week he would be here before he left for his assignment in Spain.  Welcome Elder S.   I didn't even get time to get to know Elder S except to know that he is from Oregon.  He left Wednesday and now there are just two elders here again.  We should be getting a new elder straight from the MTC who is waiting for a visa, but he should be able to drive.  Elder W and Elder T have a baptism tomorrow afternoon, so I wonder if there will be a time conflict with meeting up with the new elder and getting to their baptism on time.  Things are never boring here.   
The funny thing about this past week is that it makes me wonder if we have a spy out there telling the mission president that none of our elders drive.  I wonder if one of the ward mission leaders called and complained about having to drive the elders around?  I can't always be there to give them rides when they need one and I love the opportunity to help them out, but when I can't help they call around to the various ward mission leaders (there are 20 of them).  So, I can't help but wonder if one of them complained, if they did that kind of bothers me.  These elders are dedicating one hundred percent of their time to serving the Lord for these two years and all they are asking is for a short ride somewhere in the area and the absolute longest drive would be about 30 minutes round trip for those giving rides.  That's a pretty small sacrifice in comparison.  If you are out there reading this ward mission leaders, stop your whining and serve, these are awesome young men very dedicated to the Lord.
Oh, was that too much?  Sorry for getting on my soap box again.
I love getting meeting the elders and getting to know their personalities.  It has finally started to look like Winter here.  We had snow Thursday and so Elder T had to try out the snowblower.  He is from Hawaii, so snow is a novelty for him.  It was pretty funny, he comes out with the winter coat and beanie and wearing shorts and dress shoes, I guess it was too cold for flip-flops.
All in all it was a pretty great week.

Take good care of your missionaries and never pass up the opportunity to offer them a ride, it's worth it.
Stay awesome this week.  Don't forget to smile.
May God bless you.