21 February 2010
Our week started with a trip to Castries to get a police report for Elder Morris which he will need for his next transfer. On the drive to Castries he related the various encounters he has had with the police. Some mischievous, others somewhat more grave-but thankfully no arrests. He felt some of his encounters almost bordered on harassment rather than an actual reason. Ironically on our return to Vieux Fort we were stopped at a police road block. We were asked for our insurance and driver license, which we were able to produce and pass the check OK. Then the officer asked why there were six people in a four passenger vehicle. Our excuse: that we had been in Castries and were returning to our residences in Vieux Fort. Also that the auto does have five seat belts so we were only exceeding the load limit by one. He repeated the question a couple of times and received the same reply each time. Finally he told us to go on but not to let him catch us doing this again. As we proceeded on our way Elder Morris was quick to point out this was a prime example of police harassment. Whatever…However, the day we have long been anticipating arrived. Thursday evening our son Jeff, his wife Kris, and their children Wesston, Ceci, and Hunter arrived to spend a week with us. As they live in Rupert, Idaho, coming to St Lucia this time of the year is quite a climate change for them. For activity starters we spent the better part of Friday in Dennery riding a zip line. This is an upbeat adventure. There are eleven different lines involved that carry you over, among, and between the lush foliage and trees in this area. Saturday we drove to a pretty black sandy beach near the town of Choiseul. We took our lunch with to take advantage of the shady park adjoining it. Thus the vacationers spend all the time they desired frolicking in the beautiful Caribbean Ocean. Ceci and Hunter were a little lax with the sun screen however and returned to the apartment with some sunburn to contend with. The family was our sacrament service speakers on Sunday and did a great job. Also Ceci accompanied the singing on the key board so that was a plus. So many members complimented us after church about how impressed they were with our family. And again this Sunday the chapel was, for all intentions, filled to capacity with either 69 or 71 in attendance. It just depended on who you asked. Regardless it was a sight to behold. We just hope they keep attending.
Sister Faux: Yes, our sacrament meeting today was very good. Not only did each of the family speak but Wesston also blessed the sacrament and gave the closing prayer. Ceci played the piano accompaniment as we sang the hymns. It was very nice and we enjoyed that happiness very much. A couple of the girls, Vina and Kimberly (who are sisters) took Ceci with them after sacrament meeting. She did not know where they were going but thought at first they were going to Young Women. They actually took her to a service station down the road and bought some treats: crackers and bubblegum (and stuff like that). She was surprised buying something on Sunday but they were nice to her. It is wonderful to have the family here; the only bad thing is they have to go home on Thursday.
A wonderful thing happened to Elder Welch and Elder Lundberg—they ordered 50 ties over the internet and they arrived this week. Regardless that they are all used ties they think they are beautiful…..some are quite pretty. I just tell them they are all nice. I have never known how important ties are to the elders. They trade, save, and treasure them. It is very funny but they just love them. They probably get very tired of them as they wear them each day, a bit like my dresses ---so very tired of every piece of clothing I brought with me. Not many of them are going home with me. Speaking of going home, I have been planning on going home on a cruise but our friends the Collins are not able to go with us, so Elder Faux has decided that we will just fly home too. Disappointed but that is okay.
I think Wesston has fixed my skype so I can call people. He closed it out and reinstalled it so tonight it was working much better. I have tried to do that and did not help one little bit. Everyone I tried to call did not answer but I can call again. It is still the very dry season and all the pretty grass is yellow as I said last week, only it is worse now. Many trees are losing their leaves and are not as pretty as before. I have mentioned the fires before but now much worse It seems many places just burst into flames from the heat and reflections from glass or something. . Just to show that even tropical islands can experience a drought. Everyone has gone to sleep so I had better try that myself. Hope you have all had a great Sunday. Love, Elder and Sister Faux