14 March 2010
The longer that we are here the more impressed we are with number of people branch President Nicholas is acquainted with in this area. This is quite evident for in our weekly branch correlation meetings as the elders discuss who they have contacted during the week, or are teaching, he will on many occasions; give some insights concerning the person/s he feels would benefit the elders. There have even been instances when he has ruffled the dander of the elders by suggesting to them they not continue teaching a particular person/s and his rationale why. In a recent district meeting the lesson was on “Working with the Branch President”. During the lesson it was most satisfying to hear of the high regard the elders have for President Nicholas. They all agreed once he has his mind made up it is hard to change. But they also agreed that he is not so hard-headed that he won’t change his mind if presented with other alternatives that would be better. They were also complimentary about his willingness to go with them to teach an investigator or visit a less active member. We have felt our rapport with President Nicholas has been good and pleased to know the elders have the same feelings. Saturday morning a youth activity was held with 21 participating. Our beach venue was about a 20 minute drive north. At this beach there is a ‘shelf’ for some distance that keeps the ocean knee to waist deep depending on the waves. The president likes this site as the kids can play in the ocean and not have to worry about getting into too deep of water. A mini-bus was rented to take us there. President Nicholas told the driver the one-half mile stretch of road to the beach was ‘perfect’. However, when it came time to be picked up the driver told us we had to walk to the highway-he wasn’t driving that road again. Elder Faux asked the president about using the word ‘perfect’ to describe the road. His reply, “Compared to what it used to be it is perfect”. We have been with the president on it ‘when it use to be’, and It has been greatly improved- but perfect? The activity was a success and at the end President Nicholas thanked the youth for how well they had conducted themselves. They evidently heeded the counsel he gave before leaving the church that there be no swearing, no cursing, and no fighting. Last Monday (preparation day) the elders didn’t include us in their plans so we spent the day with Elder and Sister Treseder in Castries. We had a most pleasant day with them. Sister Faux took the branch sewing machine with and added an extra length to a skirt of Sister Treseder’s she felt was too short. Our favorite spot for lunch, Spinnakers, was overrun with tourists so we had to settle for second best. We are pleased to have met the Treseder’s as it is fun and pleasant to be with them.
Sister Faux:This afternoon I think I will tell you about one of our most favorite people in St Lucia. We have printed more pictures of her than anyone else on this island. Her name is Boom Boom. or rather that is her nickname. Her real name is Percivia and she is Miss Personality Plus. She loves the Elders and acts so cute with them. She is growing up in the home of Betherlie and Evans William. Their daughter Swancy, age 18 is Boom Boom’s God Mother. She was born into a family of five and for some reason Swancy was asked to be her care taker. I think she was less than two months old when she was taken to the William home. Swancy has been very good to her although she is corrected very sharply when she does something wrong, as all children are here in the West Indies. They dress her very well and take great care of her. She is very smart as well as cute. She always has a bath outside in a little tub and in cold water. I ask if she had a bath in warm water when she was tiny and no, she always bathes in cold water. It is very hot- but cold is cold! Swancy’s Mom (Betherlie) was just sustained as Relief President. Boom Boom was at church today in her new shoes and a very cute dress—we enjoy her very much. It is still HOT and dry here on the island. I know I talk about that all the time but if you were here you would talk about that also. The hills-mountains on the way to Castries are mostly all brown with very little green showing. The rain forests we pass through is still quite green so it must get some kind of moisture. One thing we notice is all the people standing by the roads waiting for a bus (which is really a van). Sometimes they must wait for a long time. Other times we see people waiting and someone in a car just stops and picks them up. Same with a truck, they just hop in and sit on sides of pickup or stand up. It looks very dangerous to see that. I am sure they are not charged when they do that. At times they wave at us and must not see the four elders mashed together in the back seat….So miserable. We are often embarrassed by the people (tourists) that get off the cruise ships. They are dressed so badly, I guess they all want a suntan but it looks awful. Same as they get off the planes and need to smoke. Maybe I have said this before but we see so few people that smoke here. The Elders see many more smoking than we do. Sacrament Meeting was very good today, first speaker was Jeanette Thomas and she spoke on prayer (She is one of my favorites). She said if we pray before reading the scriptures we will better understand them. We have all heard that many times. In closing she sang all the verses to ‘Did You Think to Pray’. Her singing voice is not perfect but it touched my heart and was an excellent talk. Sister Cotter talked on happiness, the only way to find real happiness is to live the gospel. Very true….New missionaries to Vieux Fort, Elder Harris and Elder Barker also spoke. Elder Harris talked about Joseph Smith as he was taught by Angel Moroni. Elder Barker talked about how small and simple things make big things happen. We also had a song by the choir and it was very good. I have only seen the choir do that once before. Anyway, today was a nice day and hopefully starts us off on a nice week. Hope each of you has a good week also. Sister and Elder Faux