Week 81

What a fun week... old friends, a baptism, and a pony! My heart seriously wanted to burst for all of them! We also had some wonderful visits and lessons that made my heart sing. Dwight also did his regular "social worker" service (translating for job interviews, taking our friends to the doctor to translate, etc). I tag along on some of these activities, but my "social work" includes smiles and hugs and saying, "What did she say?" It's kind of amazing how much I'm actually starting to understand in French, although I can't speak a word. Now when our friends start speaking in Creole to each other, I'm totally lost. 

One highlight this week was our regular HHE... you've heard of FHE (Family Home Evening). HHE is Hattian Home Evening. We had a great lesson on temples. I found pictures for Dwight to make a Power Point, and the young missionaries narrated it at the activity. After the lesson, the elders had a Jeopardy-type game prepared. It was really fun. I wish I had taken pictures of all the smiling faces. I do have pictures of some of the temples from our lesson. I love the beauty and difference in each of them.

Hong Kong

Haiti

St. George, Utah

New York City, NY

Thailand

Washington D.C.

While Dwight was working on the Power Point for HHE, I worked on a little family history. I came across a 1930 census that included my Grandma and Grandpa Richardson. On the census was an address for a house that the census said they owned. I thought this was pretty cool, because I know the address of the house they lived in when my dad was a kid and the 1930 address (4 years before my dad was born) is different. The census valued the house at $3000. I looked the house up on Google Maps and then on some real estate sites. The house is still in Los Angeles (hopefully--not sure because of the fires). It was built in 1923 and is now valued around $600,000--2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 864 square feet. Crazy!

Grandma and Grandpa Richardson's
1930 house in Los Angeles. I bet it
didn't have bars on the windows in 1930. :)

We tried to visit three people that we haven't seen for years. One of them had moved. The address we had was an empty house. That was disappointing, but we're going to keep trying. Another one wasn't home, but her husband was home. He gave us her phone number, so we'll get together with her soon. This house is where the pony lives! 😁 I asked if I could go pet it. I was so happy to have a few minutes with Jose, the pony. He really didn't care that I was there... basically ignored me, but he still made me smile. If Jose had nuzzled me or even looked at me, I don't think my heart could've taken it! 

Jose

The last people we went to see were actually home! Doug and Paulette Jones were in our ward in Mt. Olive 30 years ago when Dwight was the bishop. We were greeted with hugs and smiles and sweet words. We visited for probably too long and will be back to see them again soon.

Doug, Paulette, Susan, Dwight

Here's a peek into our District Council:

Elder and Sister Berglund are in our district.
They run the church camp, Eagle's Nest.

Saturday we had a baptism for our friend, Clarenne. She is so cute! She smiled during the entire service. She is so excited about following Jesus.

Elders Smithson and Hafen, Clarenne,
Elders Bates and Nordgren

Dwight, Clarenne, Susan

On Saturday night we went to see the Fil Aime brothers. I've said it before, but these boys are amazing. They are so much fun. They love each other and they love Jesus. Edrice is a member, and his younger brother Chrismonor set a date to be baptized. Christmonor invited two of his friends from work to go to church with him. Unfortunately, Edrice was sick this morning, and he's the driver, so none of them came. Hopefully, they'll all come next week.

Dwight, Susan, Edrice, Chrismonor,
Elders Hafen and Smithson

Today one of the new members, Romual, was teaching Sunday School in Haitian Creole. He did a great job. I love when I can feel the Spirit even when I can't understand a word. The Spirit teaches and touches hearts in every language. 

We love you all so much!

Love, Sister and Elder Potter