O9 May 2010 Sunday
First of all we wish all Mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.
Last week we included pictures of Elder and Sister Dirkmaat who are serving in Suriname. They accepted our offer to drive them to Castries on Monday to catch their flight back to Suriname. This gave us an opportunity to have a nice visit and get better acquainted-and a hello to recently Elder Pence. Sister Faux has been in dire need of sewing machine needles. While in Castries Sister Treseder directed us to the ‘Sewing Center’. Elder Faux does not like to drive in this part of Castries as the driving space is narrow, some one-way un-marked streets, and no parking facilities. We found the Sewing Center, but as no surprise, nary a place to park. So Elder Faux let Sisters Faux and Treseder out and he circled the ‘block’. Three times Elder Faux made a right hand turn on to Bridge Street. Each time other motorists would motion and signal to him, he wondering why, and by and large just ignoring them. With Sister Treseder back in the auto and at the same intersection she informed Elder Faux right hand turns are not permitted at this intersection. No wonder all the gestures…thankful that is all that came of it. We were in Castries again on Friday for zone conference. Just a little tidbit on President Gamiette. Elder Faux picked him up at the Castries airport about 3:30 p.m. and after a ten minute +/- drive arrived at the church. He announced to the elders and senior couples he would return from his hotel at 6:00 p.m. to start interviews. About one-half hour later he called and said it would be 7:30 as he was helping some of his children, who live in Trinidad, with their homework. This little scenario somewhat of an indication of the challenges mission presidents, especially those with family, content with as they divide their time between the Lord’s work and their family. Once again we were impressed with President Gamiette’s energy, enthusiasm, and expertise in addressing the training and items for discussions on the agenda. Saturday afternoon we participated with twenty other branch members in an activity at the LaTille Fall near Micoud. They youth enjoyed swimming and playing around the falls after which we were served a spicy rice and chicken lunch prepared by President Nicholas. It was a fun activity and thrilled with the number participating.
Sister Faux: Would you believe we had our blog almost ready to send and I hit something, and it was gone, and we cannot find it? Anyway it is Monday morning another beautiful HOT day in Vieux Fort, St Lucia, West Indies Mission. A belated Mother’s Day wish to all mothers who read this. I know our missionary mothers had a good day as they had the opportunity to speak with their sons. They were so excited to call home. Yesterday for Mother’s Day we had a good day at church. I have been sewing aprons for all the mothers in our branch. I was excited to make the aprons and was interested how they would respond. It was fun to see as it made them so happy, at times they don’t show much emotion about things. This time they were so happy it was just exciting to be part of it. They all gave me a hug and that made me have a happy day also. I had 20 aprons and so have a couple left over for others who need an apron. The only problem was when the men saw them they wanted an apron as well- also the young women. I may have to do something about that. Fun experience.
Our zone conference turned out well and it is fun to see the elders that have been here on this end of the island once again. Elder Welch (in St Maarten) needed a patch sewn on his backpack and ask Sister Stevens to email me and ask me to bring the sewing machine. I did take it but ended up sewing the patch on by hand. That was fun too. As you can see by the pictures we had three elders that passed off the 50 scriptures references. I think that is quite a project but they are good to try all challenges. They are such a handsome group of young men. President Gamiette said our next zone conference would be in St Maarten, we hope so as that will be exciting for us. Our food was consumed with gusto—we had Hawaiian Haystacks and banana splits for dessert. As I have said before we should not worry about what food we serve as they seem to like it whatever it is.
We talked to President Gamiette about going home (we already have our tickets for July 23) and he said they are not going to replace us with another couple. So we have quite a few things to pass on to someone else or get rid of some way. We will work on that project the next few weeks. Well that is about it for today as I have a few curtains to sew for President Nicholas this day. Have a nice week.
Sister Faux