March 16, 2009

Hope you don't think all we are doing is taking pictures but there is so much uniqueness it is hard not to. The pictures include: (and not if the description/picture sequence jibes) the inside of our apartment-the cabinet/sink area, our dining set, and our sofa and chair. A picture of Dora and Elder Rosales, from Guatemala, on our way to give a lesson, with the elders outside a SUBWAY in Castries last Monday, on the beach near the home of new member family (we had been there teaching)-one with Elder Nestegard (Montana), by ourselves, one of the sunset, one with Betherlie and Dora-it is her beach. Finally Elder Rosales showing Dora how to fry bananas. We drove to Castries last Monday as President Robison had a two hour lay over and joined us in district meeting. This our first chance to meet him and we left with the impression that he has been a good mission president. The drive to Castries was white knuckle. A 32 mile drive that took one hour and forty minutes. Grades, hairpin curves, switch backs, makes the palms of my hands sweat just to write about it. District meeting is held there every other week so we should get use to it. We have been with the elders twice this week teaching, once as a foursome and once on splits. Dora and I with Elder Rosales and Elder Nestegard with a branch member. Then they sent us out to teach all by ourselves one evening. We had a good experience and hope we can do this more often. This afternoon the elders brought a young man they hope to baptize this Friday to our apartment to teach a lesson so involved with that. He doesn't live to far from us and as he left asked if he could come and visit with us. We were excited to tell him anytime! Also held our second seminary class on Friday. Seven students in attendance in addition to the elders and us. Better than the first time when one appear. The elders provide a little activity after that all enjoyed plus Dora prepared some treats and they didn't last long. Relief Society enrichment followed seminary so a full evening. We are still trying to put names to faces-learning some but it seems sort of slow. That is about it for this week. Tell all hello for us. Love Dora and Dave

An additional caption to the photos!

You can see who is doing all the work here--I'm tramping through the brush-climbing dangerous steps- hugging the lady that is mad at the church and dealing with the shop ladies--and Dave is standing on the steps smiling..--Woe is me.Love, Dora

Sunday March 8 , 2009

We have had a good week. Went visiting with the elders to a couple of the members homes which was interesting. The one other than the picture was in Laborie-to the north a ways. Their home is quite humble. Four large steps to reach the porch. Maybe four rooms inside. Not long ago the kitchen was outside. However, they are about 75 yards away from the beach which is dotted with coconut trees. We were there just as it was turning dark. The moon was peeking through the trees, the sky filled with stars, and the beautiful Caribbean Sea lapping at the beach. It is what you see in the movies and think they made it up. These people with hardly anything worldly- except a million dollar beach front. We both spoke in Church today. I thought Dora did really good and I hope I passed. Dora was also asked to help teach the YM/YW lesson so she had double duty. Tomorrow we are driving to Castries (the palms of my hands are already sweating. It is only about 22 miles but about a 1 and 1/2 hour drive we are told) to meet with President Robison for a couple of hours. This will be our first meeting with him so excited about that. About driving-since we have been here Dora's blood pressure has been great. A couple of nights ago she took it before we went visiting. 118/74. As soon as we returned to the apartment she took it again - 155/84 - I tell her she shouldn't take it right after we return. We send our love, Dora and Dave

we experienced a few technical difficulties this time.

Realize I am only transferring from an email. And

I have to take what I get. I am posting everything I

receive. Thanks!

March 4, 2009 "MOVE OVER"!

We haven't forgotten you - just been on the run. The couple (Williamson's) we replaced attempted to show us all around and tell us all they had been doing the last 14+ months in 2 1/2 days which left us mostly confused. You remember their son was also in the mission. He had been released to go home and was with them as well. He set our computer up and showed us how to do the things we wanted. He made it look so easy but now that he is gone..... I am hoping to send some pictures-if you don't get them maybe you could help us from that end with instructions. To me (Dave) I was a little surprised that the island looked as large as it does when we viewed it from the air. My second surprise-and I knew it was so- we were getting into the car to leave the airport and as Elder Williamson opened the front right door of the car I thought to myself "I hope he isn't expecting me to drive already!", then I realized he was getting in on the driving side. Our apartment is quite comfortable and all the room we need.. We have an air conditioner in the bedroom but by opening the windows we get a nice little breeze so haven't had to use it to much as of yet. But we are told this is the winter so we will see what summer brings. And the apartment buildings are as pretty as the pictures show. At church on Sunday there were 60+ in attendance. Maybe 6 to 10 investigaters. No one got an accurte count for either but the chapel was full. This also the first Sunday the branch president had two councilors sitting with him. Up to now he has been doing it all so it could be a challange getting him to start delagating. We are meeting with him today to get acquainted and whatever else he wants to discuss. By default I started driving Monday afternoon and it is different. (a) my preception of how close to the edge of the road I am is lacking. Dora is always telling me to move over! (b) I really have to concentrate on right hand turns-rather than a tight turn they are now a wide turn, (c) think left, that is your lane, (d) watch in the rear view mirror as there many impatient drivers that pass on the least opening, (e) most roads are narrow and lack signage so directions are mainly by so many intersections or landmarks. Christopher would feel right at home. We were saddened to hear of Carol and Boyd's family tragdey. Something like that so close to home is really heartbreaking. Will close for now. We send our love, Elder and Sister Faux (aka Dave and Dora)