It's all about family

Wonderful thing for ... let's just say, the day I'm writing - Monday, 23 March:

Saturday evening the GANS in our Prato ward sponsored a multi-ethnic event for the ward.  There were booths for each of the various countries represented in the ward (minus one, China; our Chinese GANS member just returned from a trip home and didn't have time to prepare anything):  Italy, Nigeria, Peru, Albania, Honduras, Mexico, and the USA.

Our GANS and some of our ward members prepared foods from their various countries, as well as presentations/entertainments.  I learned that Nigeria is separated into three main sections, with completely different languages; that Peru was ruled long ago by two benevolent rulers, with only four basic laws; that Central America used to be one big country, then divided into five, then seven.  For the US, Blaine put together a slide show and Elder Christensen played Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer".

The potato-whatever-else-it-was dish from Nigeria was great; the spinach torte and stuffed peppers and tomatoes from Albania were fantastic; the Italian chocolate sausage and apple cake were super (I only ate a tiny piece...), as was everything else.  We made sloppy joes and the sister missionaries made brownies; I'd call that quintessentially American, wouldn't you?

The wonderful thing about it was that it was just what this ward needs, another opportunity to come together; and just what our GANS need:  opportunities to come together and to serve.  Our Nigerians especially appreciated it, I think; Italian is a little harder to pick up for them than for the South Americans.  I don't know how easy or difficult it was/is for the Albanians; they all seem to have done quite well.

Fun thing:

We got to face time with Matt and Bergen and the girls, as well as Mom and Dad, all at the same time; M&B were in St. George for a family event on Bergen's side.  Her great grandfather loved golfing so much, he built several courses, and died playing golf in St. George, so they have a yearly commemoration of his life by - what else? - playing golf in St. George!  

We also skyped with Ben and Bonnie and the kids, who were picnicking in their backyard - 70 degrees in March in Rexburg?

It is such a joy to have the opportunity to touch base in real time with family.  On that subject - Amy and Lawton and the kids will be here in one week!!!

Good things beget good things

Wonderful thing for Saturday/Sunday, 7-8 February:

Added benefits.  We are a little concerned about the need for greater unity among the members in this area.  It takes awhile for people to feel comfortable with each other (new stake, new wards), but a lack of unity is a breeding ground for contention, and for distancing oneself from the precious precepts and connections that come from gathering together often to worship and to fellowship.   Life here is very hectic, and people really have to work just to have time for family and study.

Imagine, then, the added delight, after having made a Pathway presentation - which itself took place after the three-hour meeting block and after lunch at church - to see that people didn't leave immediately, but stayed for some time, visiting in random groups throughout the chapel and the foyer.

It felt good, very good.

Part of the philosophy behind Pathway is the importance of "gathering"; if a fringe benefit would be a more willing spirit of gathering together in general, hallelujah!

http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2006_10_31_Bednar.htm

fun thing:   conversing with Lorena and Miñaca on the way to and from Seminaries and Institute training Saturday.  Such wonderful women and sisters-in-the-gospel.