March 22, 2015
Monday: We went to
Pittsford for the office meeting. It was
good and we loaded up the car with about 40 IPads and protective cases to start
our distribution of them on Tuesday morning.
The car had about $16,000 worth of devices. We felt that we had been entrusted with a
great assignment. We went to Sam’s Club
in Rochester to get some items for District meeting the next day and then went
back to Batavia. We went out with the
missionaries and came back and then
Dennis colored my hair. We made pigs in a blanket for the missionaries from our district the next day, along with chips, pop, and cookies. We didn't get to the meeting because of our travels, but heard that they enjoyed the meal.
Tuesday: We began the
IPad trek by starting in our own district in Batavia. It took about 1.5 hours at each stop to take
the old IPads from the missionaries and issue them a new one. They were given instruction on how to set
them up and place the screen protector on and then put them into the cases
provided. It was all very clearly
written down on the directions, but some didn't read the directions very
well. We made 4 stops on Tuesday,
Batavia, Brockport, Westfall, and Pittsford.
We loaded up the car again and made our way home. The Elders called us and told us that they
needed a ride (their car had been hit in the door and was being repaired). Dennis went to help them and came back with
them and Amanda and Skyler. The people
assigned to give Amanda and Skyler the new member lessons had bailed on them
and so the Elders brought them over for a lesson. We watched the Book of Mormon movie and they
really enjoyed it. (we will do a
lesson next time)
Wednesday: We began
very early because we had received word from the missionaries that Hornell didn't
have internet this week and we would need to have their district go over to
Wellsville. It must be the most further
out part of the mission. It is on the
border of Pennsylvania. We thought that
it was very pretty there. There are
actually large mountains there and a pretty little town. We went from Wellsville to Penn Yan,
Canandaigua, Fayette, Lyons,and Palmyra.
The missionaries were great and so receptive to everything they were
asked to do. They acted like Christmas
had arrived. The devices are their
personal property now and they have to purchase them; they can take them home
and use them at college. We went back to
Pittsford and picked up our last load.
We ate at a place called Moe’s on the way home. It reminded us a little of Bajio or Café Rio—but
not quite as good. As we were leaving
we saw there is a P.F. Changs near Moe’s.
We returned home late and were so tired!
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| This is where the church was organized |
Thursday: We began
early again and made our way to the west—over towards Buffalo. We went to Orchard Park, Buffalo, Amherst,
Lockport, and Niagara Falls. This was
our best day of the three for the disbursement.
We really drilled it into the missionaries to follow the directions
thoroughly and they would have more success in getting them set up
correctly. Surprise—they had great
success and did it so quickly and carefully.
We were so happy—our job was complete!
We arranged to end up at the church nearest the falls so we could spend
some time there. However, Bill Haggerty
called and his wife was ill and he wanted her to have a blessing. He also needed dog food for his seeing eye
dog and would we pick some up on our way.
We told him we were quite a ways from Batavia and that maybe he would
like to get someone else, but he was determined that we should come. We stopped at the falls for a quick look/see
and returned home. Dennis began getting
a scratchy throat and Bill’s wife offered him a throat lozenge called, ‘Fisherman’s
Friend’. They are quite strong and seemed
to do the trick.
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| River flowing toward the falls |
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| Niagara Falls |
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| Ice below the falls |
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| Heading east out of Buffalo over a large bridge |
Friday: We were
toast! We didn't want to get up or even
move; but we did! We were glad that our
schedule wasn't so tight for the rest of the day. We got a text from the Elders and they reminded
us that we had signed up for feeding the missionaries that night. So, we went to the store and got items for
the meal. Then they said that only 2
could come. So—I had plenty of food purchased
so we invited Amanda and Skyler. We went
with them (we drive) to 2 appointments and then to GCC (the community college in our town) with
the town Elders and visited with 2 Japanese students (girls) We were in part of the cafeteria and the acoustics
were terrible and the noise level high.
I could hardly hear the girls plus they had very broken English. The Elders weren't making too much progress
and were talking about the commandments with them. They finally asked, “What are commandments?” They talked about the 10 commandments, but
they were not familiar with them. So, we
turned to them in the Bible and the girls did not understand that either. I got a piece of paper and began to write
them down. I explained them one by one
(and that was difficult). I didn't know
if their families worshiped idols or not.
I told them everything as bluntly as I could. It was difficult to explain ‘what does covet
mean?’ to them. I think they understood,
but there are many language barriers that made it hard. We hurried home, baked the meal and then all
4 missionaries and Amanda and Skyler showed up.
It was a great night! We bought the SkipBo game and played it with Amanda and Skyler, it was fun and reminded me of doing this with my grandkids. I miss doing this with them. Most of them love to play games and we laugh and have fun together. Please give all my 'littles' hugs for me!
Saturday: We went
over to the church for a memorial service for our Branch President’s brother in
law. He wasn't a member, but the
President had all 4 missionaries talk about the Plan of Salvation. They did it in a very simple, understandable
way. There were a couple songs, and some
of the family talked and it was concluded. They played the Randy Travis song "Will the Circle be Unbroken" in the chapel, and it really sounded out of place and twangy. There were about 15 people of the family and 6 missionaries and 2 other
branch members. We prepared for Zone
conferences next week. We get to travel
again to 3 different zones to present at each one. (over the mission again) We made a PowerPoint program and I hope that
it is something that will keep their attention and drive home a few
points. We visited a sick sister and went
to meet another sister that isn't active.
She invited us back on Monday afternoon as she was busy when we
arrived. We went to LeRoy to meet 3
other senior couples for dinner. We met
at a place called the Depot. It was very
nice. We wanted to say our good byes to
the Ray’s, as they will be going home next week.
They have been such a great help!
Sunday: We woke up to
snow—again! Two men fell down in the
parking lot at the church and bruised their egos. It was slick under the snow. We had a good meeting about sustaining our
leaders, especially to get ready for conference. There was good information given. The meetings were all good. Our attendance was a little less than last
week, but snow always keeps people home, I think. We have a study at the church with the missionaries from
the Book of Mormon tonight. I am looking
forward to that. I guess Dennis got a
little run down as he has a nasty cold now.
Funnies: I asked Dennis how his 'Fisherman's Friend' was working. He said, "what?" I asked again, and he looked at me like I was speaking another language. I again asked him and he still couldn't figure out what I was talking about. I then said, "you know, the throat lozenges we got for you, how are they working?" We laughed pretty hard!
We went to see a lady that couldn't invite us in because she was sick. Well, I sometimes get tongue tied or something crazy and asked if she needed DRUGS. (like we had them stuffed in our pockets) So, I had to back up and say have you got antibiotics for your ailment? Yes, she did and we weren't picked up by the police as drug peddlers. The missionaries didn't say anything, but I bet they cracked up when they got in their car, because we sure did!
I don't know what happened this week with my hair! It was like I had rubbed a balloon on my head for hours. I had so much static that it was crazy! I don't know if it was riding in the car and having a head rest or what, but I hope it doesn't continue this week.
Correction: I mentioned that Chris would be able to go home for his antibiotic treatment, but that changed and he has to stay at the nursing home across the street from EIRMC for the treatment. He is really loving that arrangement (NOT), but he is feeling so much better and we are so thankful for this blessing!
Blessings:
- Being able to grow up in the church and being taught the gospel from my youth! That is a great blessing. Even today in Gospel Essentials I remembered a class my Primary teacher had taught us on repentance and the steps in repenting. Those things do stick to our minds! It is a blessing to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ!
- Being able to see the humorous side to most things. It's funny that a little humor can help us over so many hurdles. We are meant to have JOY!
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