This 'n That

The missionaries came that we met in the MTC. They brought the clipping of Dad out of the Church News. That was the first time that we had seen it. It was fun to see the Elders, but they had jet lag. We were in a missionary meeting with them on Fri and they were feeling like they were wondering how much Indonesian they had learned. One of the Elders was translating for us and I think they were wishing someone would translate for them too. I could tell they were feeling lost. They have left to go to their areas now.

On Thursday we were invited to a a special luncheon. A man named Batak Sinabela. He is very well to do and owns 1/2 of the hotel and restaurant that we went to. It was Japanese food. It was so good. He had his family there to meet us. His son and Daughter in Law and another daughter. He is friends with Elder Sanbandriyo. President Marchant and his wife were there also. Mr Sinabela could not speak English, but his son and daughter in law could so we talked to them. He spent most of the time helping with his grandchildren. After the lunch they brought out 3 cakes. (black forest cakes) and send them home with us. It was so good.

On Fri afternoon we walked up to the grocery store which is about 1/2 mile away. Then Dad decided that we could walk to another store which is kinda like a Wal Mart. Well, after about 4 miles of walking we got there finally. Things are so confusing here you can't just go around the block. We really got lost, but we finally found our way. Fortunately, we met a member of the English Branch at the store and he offered to give us ride back home. I am so glad. This is one of those moments that the Lord sent us someone to take care of us, because it was dark by this time. We were glad to be home.

We went to the church to watch conference. After the first session the Indonesian Branch had fixed lunch. Some chicken which they cook just like Dad likes it to a crisp, rice, and lots of other interesting things. It was really like eating off the street. They cook in places that are not that clean. They served the meal on glass dishes. We ate in the parking lot of the church. When they were done eating they went over in a corner with two pans and got water from the hose.(not clean water) they had soap in one pan and they rinse in the other. You just have to pray that it is all going to be Ok. When ever I am out like that anywhere I say a silent prayer that the food will be Ok and that it doesn't kill me. After the 2nd session they had a soup that was almost like split pea soup. Dad was in heaven. They did serve that in paper bowls. I was glad. While the men stayed to hear the Priesthood meeting, Sister Marchant and I went with the Sister Missionaries to their little house and we visited with their neighbors to wish them Idul Fitri which is like a holiday greeting, but they have fixed cookies of all kinds and they made us eat and eat. At one neighbors house they had us eat cookies and then they took us out into the kitchen and fed us dinner. By the time John and Dad came to pick us up we had had quite the experiences. They even gave a Book of Mormon to one man who just said he likes to learn about other religions.

Today we went to conference again. They had like a little box lunch that had a bun and a hot dog and another funny kind of a sweet roll. They all love these kind of things it wasn't too bad. Then after conference Elder Subandriyo invited us to go with them out to their new home in the country. It was quite aways away from Jakarta. It was a really nice home. Sister Subandriyo had fixed a really nice dinner. I can't get over what these people do. It was wonderful. They just had a daughter die in Aug. Just before we came here. She was 20 and she had gone to Utah to visit. She died of toxic syndrome. It was really a shock to everyone here. They had lots of pictures of her in this new home. Sister Subandriyo is somewhat of a source for pearls. She makes necklaces etc to sell. She said that she would teach me so I will see what I can do in that area. She also make nativity scenes and I am going to try and get some of those. We were with Pres and Sister Marchant too. Then we went to visit a sister and her family. Her husband just died from cancer. she has four children. She was really living in humble circumstances. What a blessing to be in her home.