I love the Martoyos!

On Saturday we made a second visit to the Martoyos  home with President Soewardi.  They are the family that fed us fried snails on our first visit!  In the most humble environment dwells a powerful spirit!

Saturday on the way to Martoyos

A shop along the way...

Approaching their neighborhood

Taken as I was sitting on the floor looking out the door of the Martoyos home.  

(Dads and my shoes on the right)

Biggest Blunder...thus far

Elder Anderson did a great job of speaking in Sacrament Meeting today!  He worked all week on his talk, preparing it in both English and Indonesian.  He spoke on 'Inviting Others to Come Unto Christ'.

When we arrived at church I saw that one of the young elders was also speaking...I teased him that he hadn't told us he was also on the program! He stated that he was just asked to speak at the beginning of church because there was no second speaker.  After spending three hours in the branch and then arriving home from church, while cleaning up some papers I found the form Elder Anderson was given last week inviting him to speak (he hadn't  shown it to me previously.). Much to my surprise - and embarrassment- I was assigned to be the second speaker!  I just didn't know about it!!  Not one word was said about it at church....the culture is much too polite!!

Reminders...

With each new experience I am reminded of how blessed we are in so many ways!  We went with Elder Secrist and Elder Hendro to visit a family in the Dua branch.  Both parents are returned missionaries...they have three children...their middle child and only girl has special needs...and the father works in another city and is home only on weekends.  There are no services for children with special needs in Indonesia.  As we sat on the floor in their one room home containing a mattress on which all five family members sleep we laughed together, shared our testimonies,, discussed raising children, and felt a loving spirit of unity as children of our Heavenly Father.  While we were visiting, a rat slowly walked across the narrow path in front of the open door, and I didn't even flinch!  As we left I felt a desire to return soon to visit this great family.  We didn't realize until we were leaving that they live within walking distance of our apartment, in an area Elder Anderson and I walked through last week and nearly got lost!

David, Jayanti, Selo and Marvel with Elder Secrist and Elder Hendro

Arya fell asleep towards the end of our visit 

Deer antler

Just came to the church to join elders in a discussion and then teach English ...

As the groundskeeper unlocked the gate I was staring at his cigarette holder...it was so unique that i asked if I could take his picture and he willingly consented 😊

Tender Mercy

This morning as I said my prayers I asked Heavenly Father if I could please receive the package that Jen and Amy had sent six weeks ago.  I told Him that I hoped it was not an inappropriate request, but that it would be such a tender mercy for me.  Ive been waiting for it to arrive and was worried that it had become lost somewhere between Vegas and Surabaya!  We had tried to trace the package through the post office earlier this week but had no success...

This afternoon when we got home from DDM the phone rang and the apartment staff said they had a package to deliver....and it arrived!  I cried when I opened it and saw our family picture!!  And I shed tears of gratitude for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers my prayers.

I feel Heavenly Fathers love for me each day and am so grateful for His tender mercies in my life!

Inevitable...

I knew the day would come...June 13th to be exact....almost three months in Indonesia and finally had to use a squat pot!  Oh my!

Surabaya Satu Primary Activity

Spent a great day with the primary...we're asked to be at the church at 7:00am...others arrived around 8:00am.  Indonesians are very relaxed when it comes to time!  Drove nearly two hours to a small village...back roads, windy roads, narrow roads washed out due to recent flooding (we now need to have the tires aligned on the car).  Suddenly turned a corner and drove into what the members referred to as a farm.  There on several acres they had a ropes course, a zip line, a small garden area, a mushroom farm, a swimming pool for children, a pavilion and eating area.  Elder Anderson was not able to participate on the ropes course or zip line due to his size....he is so much bigger than a typical Indonesian!  Sister Anderson climbed ropes, walked across suspended poles, and zip lined!  I needed a slight push off the ramp but once the ride began it was so gentle and fun!!

Leaving from the church

Elder Anderson picking mushrooms inside the enclosure

Elder Anderson, President Soewardi and Peter in front of the enclosure housing the mushrooms

Crossing the bar (no hidden meaning)

Navigating the ropes

The end of a fun day!

Off Topic

Yesterday was P-day and I decided to get a pedicure!  Just need to record the experience....

First, my feet were soaked for 30 seconds in a plastic dishpan with cool water

Second, my toenails were trimmed.  This occurs as I  am sitting in a  low to the ground plastic overstuffed chair with a matching ottoman.  My legs are placed on the ottoman (remember I'm wearing a skirt) and the young woman begins her work.  I was happy to see that she looked for supplies in a bag of new tools....but she couldn't find what she needed and got a bag that I had just watched another employee use to put on her makeup (I though it was her personal things).  Of course she found what she needed in this bag.  I decided not to watch any more so read while the pedicure proceeded.  When she had finished applying polish, she blew on my toes to dry them!!  

I forgot to add the when painting my toes a small plastic stool (someone had been sitting on previously) was placed on top of the ottoman to raise my feet...don't forget I'm .still wearing my skirt!  Modesty!!

Finished product...

Visiting in Mojokerta

Spent ten  hours traveling with Elder Collett and Elder Hasibuan yesterday to visit four families who live so far from the church that attending is just not possible.  The elders can't reach the homes of these members by bike... 30+ miles from Sidoarjo.   We were able to visit just two of the families....one member had gone to Surabaya and the other wouldn't let us in 😗. In the first home Elder Hasibuan powerfully taught the nonmember husband about the apostasy  and restoration of the gospel.  The spirit was so strong...the father committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true!  

The second family committed to attend District Conference in two weeks...it's such a joy to be able to share my testimony as we visit with these families.

Saw beautiful countryside as we traveled ... so different from Surabaya!!

A scarecrow by the side of the road

Did I ever mention that ALL rivers in our area are brown and murky...no blue water!!

Panjaitan Family

Leksono Family