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!!!
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
holy ground
Wonderful thing for Tuesday, 10 March:
The sisters asked us to go with them to teach a young woman who had "just happened" to come with Kenneth to our home evening week before last. We had all been impressed with how naturally she took to the things we discussed relative to eternal marriage, and she had told the sisters she would let them know when she was settled enough to receive them (just came to the area from Rome, though she is from Nigeria originally).
True to her word, she contacted them and they set up an appointment. Not being familiar with the area, she told them "Via Pomeria", assuming where she lives is still part of Prato. Well, there is a Via Pomeria in Prato - but the suburb where she lives is called Montemurlo, and there's a Via Pomeria there, too. It took three phone calls from the Prato Via Pomeria, before we finally talked with someone in her apartment building who knew where to direct us!
It was so worth the effort though - her humble and open heart received, like the proverbial sponge, everything we discussed. She was pleased and grateful to accept The Book of Mormon. She said that she had always shied away from being baptized, even though she grew up in a Christian home, but when challenged to pray to know if The Book of Mormon and the other things the sisters will teach her are true, and if she receives an answer in the affirmative, to be ready to be baptized April 11, she did not hesitate to agree.
She told us we were God's messengers, but around her, we felt as if we were walking on holy ground.
fun thing:
I went out with just a sweater! Spring is on the way!
The sisters asked us to go with them to teach a young woman who had "just happened" to come with Kenneth to our home evening week before last. We had all been impressed with how naturally she took to the things we discussed relative to eternal marriage, and she had told the sisters she would let them know when she was settled enough to receive them (just came to the area from Rome, though she is from Nigeria originally).
True to her word, she contacted them and they set up an appointment. Not being familiar with the area, she told them "Via Pomeria", assuming where she lives is still part of Prato. Well, there is a Via Pomeria in Prato - but the suburb where she lives is called Montemurlo, and there's a Via Pomeria there, too. It took three phone calls from the Prato Via Pomeria, before we finally talked with someone in her apartment building who knew where to direct us!
It was so worth the effort though - her humble and open heart received, like the proverbial sponge, everything we discussed. She was pleased and grateful to accept The Book of Mormon. She said that she had always shied away from being baptized, even though she grew up in a Christian home, but when challenged to pray to know if The Book of Mormon and the other things the sisters will teach her are true, and if she receives an answer in the affirmative, to be ready to be baptized April 11, she did not hesitate to agree.
She told us we were God's messengers, but around her, we felt as if we were walking on holy ground.
fun thing:
I went out with just a sweater! Spring is on the way!
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