Two or three days this week were so busy that by the end of the day we had a hard time remembering what we did that morning. When we finally did remember, it seemed like our morning activity had happened at least three days ago.
The first few days of the week was filled with service... mostly from our resident "social service" representative, Elder Potter. He had to take three people to job interviews at Butterball. He had to help one of those people get into an eye doctor and get glasses so he could start a new job. He talked to some of our friends who are concerned about their status as US residents, and helped them go through their papers, and he talked to people about taxes. He taught our weekly "Prepare-for-your-driver's-license Class" on Saturday. He also got to help the Albertson Ward with their youth fundraiser on Friday--Making and selling pulled pork dinners. He was in hog heaven... hahaha! But really, he loves cooking and feeding people.
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Christmonor going through papers |
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Fritzler with his new glasses |
Here are a few pictures from the Albertson Ward youth fundraiser. They cooked six pigs and made 750 plates with coleslaw, potato salad, pulled pork, hushpuppies and cake. We helped them last year, and I think they "only" made 400 plates. They have got this down to a science--everyone doing a job. Dwight helped with hushpuppies and washing dishes. He said he volunteered for dishes since he does them at home and is really good at it. :)
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One of the six pigs |
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The plate assembly line |
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Pulling the pork |
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Making hushpuppies in a donut machine :) |
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Dwight washing dishes |
When I couldn't go with Dwight--like to Butterball, etc. I stayed home and practiced the piano and put together a program for our very first Haitian Group Sacrament Meeting. We usually meet with the English-speaking ward. Why did I practice the piano? Because I had to play for our sacrament meeting. I had flashbacks to when Dwight was the Bishop of the Mt. Olive Ward in the early 90s. He had me play the piano for sacrament meeting in the summers when the regular piano player had to work at the pickle plant. Each week I would practice the 3 or 4 hymns that had been picked for Sunday. I practiced at least an hour a day because I'm not a great pianist. Each week, I felt like Heavenly Father blessed me to play the hymns so they could help bring the Spirit to the meeting. It's always been a testimony to me that God blesses our efforts.
One of the highlights of our week was teaching Brinette's two little brothers. They are sweet, smart, polite, and they soak up the Gospel. They love Jesus and love learning. I got to teach them from the Children's Book of Mormon (they speak English) and felt totally in my comfort zone.
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Ernesley, Susan, and Olgerry
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Olgerry and Ernesley |
Our Haitian Home Evening was fun as always. Mostly just youth showed up this week. It's fun to see them forming friendships with each other. We played Pictionary and had a great time. I wish I had taken pictures of some of the Pictionary drawings!
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The youth all sitting together in the back. This is during scripture reading, so they look a little serious. Most of the night they were giggling. |
Yesterday we had another baptism. Even though we have baptisms often, each one is special. Yesterday Bernarde Marie was baptized, and she was confirmed today. She looked so happy.
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Elders Hafen and Reheis, Bernarde, S & D |
Today was an historic day. The Mount Olive Ward Haitian Group held its first solo sacrament meeting. We had 82 Haitians in attendance. That's a record. It was so good for them not to have to wear headphones to hear the talks. They conducted, took care of the blessing and passing of the Sacrament, bore testimonies, and gave talks. The only thing that wasn't done by a Haitian was playing the piano. As I said earlier, that took a lot of practice on my part because I really haven't played much since I played for sacrament meeting in the same building in the 90s. It was fun watching Elder Bates (of the young missionaries, he has been here the longest). He was watching everything--making sure our friends that came late knew where to go, gave direction to the those helping with the Sacrament, basically just making sure everything went smoothly.
I didn't understand more than a few words, but it was wonderful. When I was playing the piano, it was hard not to tear up listening to that room full of beautiful Haitian Saints and their friends singing--and they really sang!
To make this day happen, the whole Mount Olive Ward leadership had to help. The Haitian's new chapel is where the Primary was meeting. The Primary is now meeting where the Young Women used to meet. The Young Women moved to the nursery, and the nursery moved to a classroom. Several people in the ward came out to help move things around and clean all the rooms. It was a two-week project. We are so grateful to everyone that made it happen.
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Program for first Haitian group Sacrament Meeting |
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After church--my view from the piano |
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After church--view from the front. This room was actually the first chapel for the Mount Olive Ward before the new chapel was built many years ago. |
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After church--view from the back |
Doctrine and Covenants 6:32, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you."
We love you all!
Sister and Elder Potter