10 January 2010
First of all something of a personal flavor- fifty eight years ago this very day Elder and Sister Faux were married for time and all eternity in the Manti Temple. There have been some bumps and bruises over the way but what we remember most is just how wonderful it all has been.
The events of the week: first was the branch family home evening Monday night. We didn’t have the turnout we hoped for but the ones there were enthusiastic. Sister Faux presented a lesson and a good discussion on prayer. For an activity the elder s did ‘flour tower.’ A tower of flour is made with a piece of candy on top. The sides of the tower are then cut away with a knife. Whoever is cutting when the tower collapses has to pick the candy up with her teeth from the flower heap. Secondly, Zone Conference in Castries on Thursday. As Sister Faux and Sister Treseder are responsible for preparing the luncheon that is served after the conference, as well as providing goodies for the elders breakfast the morning of the conference, we drove to Castries on Wednesday to get prepared staying the night with Elder and Sister Treseder. For the luncheon a potato bar with all the trimmings was prepared and needless to say thoroughly enjoyed by the missionaries. The Treseder’s also prepared the yummiest chili to go along with the potato bar. As our zone has been divided since the last zone conference we only had to prepare for 26 rather than the 45 like last time. President Gamiette, we have said this before and will probably say it again, is a masterful teacher. Just for a little exercise go to John 10:11-13, focus on ‘hireling’, as opposed to shepherd in this text, then do a forty five minute to an hour discussion on how this applies to missionary work and the missionary him/her self. For the Vieux Fort Branch this was a good conference as Evans William, 44 years old, was interviewed and approved to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, which will now give us four Melchizedek Priesthood brethren in the branch, and Firmus and Cecelia Hippolyte were interviewed and had their temple recommends signed. Thirdly: last September St Jude’s Hospital, which serves this area, was destroyed by fire. The area presidency directed Elder and Sister Whitehead, the humanitarian couple, to visit with the hospital CEO to see if there was an area the Church could be of assistance. So we made the appointment with the CEO and then accompanied them as they met together. It will be interesting to see what the Church will do. Fourth: On Saturday, President Nicholas plus two other branch members and the elders joined together for a service project in behalf of the Augustine Family. They step from dirt into their house and after a rain it would be pure mud. They also have a rather steep incline of a rock and dirt ‘path’ to negotiate in order to reach their house. Our project was to pour a cement pad in front of the house and steps up the incline. Four friends/neighbors of the family also help and were key factors in us finishing it in one day. The sand and gravel mix had to be carried about fifty yards, including twenty one steps, in five gallon buckets. This is where the friends made the difference. We would carry one bucket; they, much of the time, would hustle along with two. The cement was mixed on the ground and then again carried by bucket and dumped in the form. I must report the elders also worked very hard all day and did their share along with our two branch members.
Sister Faux: Monday--As Elder Faux reported yesterday was our 58 wedding anniversary, we can hardly believe it ourselves. Where have all those years gone? We have seen many changes in our lives as in the world around us. Our lives has been good, with a few cross times but the good really outweighs the bad. Dave is the best thing that ever happened to me. We have been blessed in so many ways, the church has always been important in our lives and we have stayed active. Our family has made us proud and happy and they continue to be good people. My prayer for them is that they remain the fine people that they are and that they learn to love each other more. The friends in our branch here were amazed that a couple could live together for so many years. We are very thankful for all we have been blessed with. As it is with most couples we started out with nothing, not even a car, and now we do have a car.
Yesterday was a good day at church and a nice sacrament meeting. The President, his wife and Shanna, who lives with them, were the speakers. They gave well prepared talks about obedience (D&C 19, 15-19, repentance and forgiveness) .D&C 58:42 & D&C 64-9-10. After church Jeanette and Davis came and had lunch with us, so we had a nice afternoon. The evening was spent at the William home for FHE. Elder Welch and Thomas gave the lesson on the plan of salvation, always something for us to learn. After coming home for the evening Elder Rosales had to use the computer for his weekly report as zone leader. As he and elder Welch were about to leave they paused long enough to sing, for our anniversary, “Families Can be Together Forever” How nice of them. We love these young men, they make our life nice. Elder Morris broke out in a rash yesterday and looked terrible when we saw him. The pharmacist, Elder Faux found some cream in the first aid box and some Benadryl and he was a bit better late last night. Have not called today so hope he is better. Transfer time is coming up next week so anxious to see what happens. It is hard to let these great young men move on. Have a good week. Sister and Elder Faux