July 14th, 2012

This week we visited all the missionary apartments in Antananarivo with Sister Adams. She wanted to see where they lived and what we did when we inspected them. She is inspecting three in Toamasina this weekend while they are there doing interviews and meeting the church leaders there. Sister Adams and Sister Cornelius also bought curtains for one apartment on Monday and went shopping for chairs for the office. We had a missionary that had his appendix out on Monday night. He is doing better and came home Friday.  We ate at an Italian Restaurant last night. It was good for a change, especially the dessert. We have been praying for Southern Utah to get some rain to put out the fires, and our children said that the wards have been fasting and praying as well. We hope you get some soon.

We have noticed how we are adjusting better to our situation here as time goes by. Our roles have gone from working under strong confident leaders who have served for many years to helping a new couple learn their roles. Sister Cornelius has switched from not doing much to help the mission president's wife, to helping her a lot as she adjusts to her new environment. She depends on me to show her around and to teach her what her responsibilities are. We have become good friends and find that we have many things in common.

 

I have missed being a visiting teacher here, as the language barrier causes a problem and we can't communicate that well . Also, I need to be with my companion and not go out alone without him. I always enjoyed visiting the sisters in the ward and getting to know them better. I look forward to doing that again when we get home. I wish the sisters here could catch the purpose and spirit that comes from doing their visiting teaching. They only get about 4% per month on visiting teaching. The church however is still young here with it only being recognized in 1993 in this country.

This is my new dishwasher, notice how efficient he is.

As we were reading the lesson in the Teachings of the Prophets on Sunday we were both touched by this thought from George A. Smith, "It is not an easy task; it is not a pleasant thing, perhaps, to be called out into the world, to leave our dear ones, but I say to you it will purchase for those who are faithful, for those who discharge that obligation as they may be required, peace and happiness beyond all understanding, and will prepare then that, in due time, when life's labor is complete, they will stand in the presence of their Maker, accepted of Him because of what they have done." What a wonderful messages, this gives us hope and courage to go forth and try our best to be faithful and to carry out what we are called to do. We send our love and blessings to all of you. Elder & Sister Cornelius