And A Baptism

19.08.2013

I have had a grand old weekend this weekend.  Sometimes I feel they whip by and its suddenly Monday, Duncan is back to work and I begin  a week of cleaning, cooking, walking over the rail bridge 4 times a day to and from nursery school, bath-time, story time and sometimes crochet time.

On Thursday evening Oscar had his first ever friend here for a sleepover, so Friday began with both children being extra excited to walk to school together. When I returned from school I cooked up 2 huge batches of chili, one mild and one hot, and then spent the rest of the day pottering around the house, cleaning up for the missionaries coming for dinner. We have 3 missionaries now, Elder McCarthy, Elder Tinsley and a 3rd companion new in the field Elder Lesuma. Elder Lesuma is a lovely young man from Utah and has just arrived on his mission. I hope he enjoys his time with us here, his companions certainly seem to, we love them all to bits.

Dinner was great, and really relaxed and we all ate lots of chili followed by ice-cream, then we had a lesson based around the prodigal son, (the scripture and the video which can be seen HERE ).

On Saturday I took part in a SERVICE ACTIVITY with the RELIEF SOCIETY, which involved packing up various items for charities. The sisters provided a light lunch, but Duncan had offered to take me out for lunch so we went off into town, with Oscar and ate chinese food. It was pouring with rain and we all got soaked to the skin but by the time I bought an umbrella and came out of the shopping centre with it the rain had stopped. And for anyone out there in a rainy place, I think you should know that red sandals do not go well in heavy rain.

I also had an amazing personal missionary experience whilst in town which I may write about at another time, but suffice to say I was fairly uplifted.

On Saturday evening we relaxed, ate chips and dips, drank IRN BRU and watched a really good movie Conversations With Other Women, starring Helena Bonham Carter (beautiful and completely crazy) and Aaron Eckhart (a inactive member of my CHURCH). I  am still not sure about the whole church - movies - bad language - love scenes thing, but with this movie as I recall it was fine with no gratuitous scenes and a modarate amount of swearing but no (that I remember) blaspheme (I hope that helps any other Saints who find their way here). Anyway, the acting and story were lovely, so I would reccommend this (we watched it on Netflix).

On Sunday I went to church earlier than usual because there was a baptism, and honestly, baptisms are fabulous. Even if you are not a member and you are offered the chance to attend a baptism at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, I would REALLY reccommend it. The Holy Spirit can often be felt so strongly at a baptism it is amazing for all concerned. 

At long last my beautiful missionary Elder McCarthy was able to perform the ordinance of baptism for the first time, and as excited as I was for the new member coming in to the church, I was also very excited for Elder McCarthy to perform the baptism. If  it were'nt against the rules I would have given him a big hug.

sorry I don't have the members permission to put his photo up here

The rest of my Sunday was spent with my family  (as it SHOULD be for a member of my church). I write my emails for ELDER BUTIKOFER,  so that they are waiting for him on a Monday (the missionaries have a small window on Mondays to check their official email accounts).  And Duncan and I discussed our plans for the coming week (including me getting a TABLET and perhaps a little help with the housework too).

To end on a cheery note I thought you may like this video for Irn Bru, Scotland's number one soft drink (you need the sound, the song is genius!).

Today is DAY OF HOPE : PRAYER FLAG PROJECT and I will be taking part.

Valerie

xxx