Indonesia's Independence Day

Today is Independence Day in Indonesia!

We attended the Barat Branch celebration....it was such a great morning!

We arrived at 8am and began cleaning the kitchen in the church.  At nine the RS activity began....a cooking demonstration with tofu!  I think I can make these foods on my own now...but we shall see!  After we cooked we ate the fruits of our labors then finished cleaning the kitchen.  The Primary celebrated its birthday at the same time and brought in delicious lemon cake for all the RS.  I just love these RS sisters!!  They always include me and in spite of our language differences their gestures and smiles communicate so much!  

Mashing the tofu....

The finished products!  Aren't these the cutest RS sisters??

Reflections

While in Singapore to renew our visas we had the opportunity to participate in Zone Conference with the Malaysian missionaries.  It was an exciting time for them because the Book of Mormon has just been translated into Malay....all of the missionaries were given copies to take back to their cities.  Their enthusiasm and excitement was evident as they talked about the people they love being able to read the Book of Mormon in their own language.  The conference was inspiring, with beautiful music from a missionary choir, testimonies shared, and teachings on the Doctrine of Christ.

Yesterday in the mission home we learned that one of the young elders serving in Malaysia had been hit by a car while riding his bike home from an appointment and was killed.  My heart aches for that young mans family, his companion, his mission president, and for all those who knew and loved him!

I have since reflected on the uncertainties of life...how quickly our circumstances can change...and how grateful I am for the plan of salvation and eternal families!

Zone Conference with the missionaries from Singapore and Malaysia....excited about the new Malay Book of Mormon

Rekan Saya

I love my companion so much!  He is so sincere and honorable in his prayers and in his desires to serve The Lord!  What a blessing to serve with him!!

Arriving for DDM

Our Sunday

I can't image I will ever forget what Sundays are like in Indonesia, but just in case...

Left apartment at 6:30 am to pick up Barat elders and then a family they are teaching...the family lives about an hour away from the church

Attended the Barat Branch from 9 - 12

Choir practice from 12 -1

Took family home from church

Got to our apartment a little after 2...grabbed a quick lunch and left at 2:30

Picked up Timur elders to go to church in Sidoarjo

Picked up Sidoarjo elders to go to church...also all of Elder Yarkasis luggage came with us since he has nearly completed his mission and heads home Wednesday.  He'll stay in Surabaya until then

Church in Sidoarjo from 4 - 5:30

Waited after church for Timur elders to have a discussion with an investigator being baptized next week

Dropped investigator off at bus stop

Took the four elders to the Timur apartment

Got home at 7:15pm...whew!!!

Had two brownies and a snicker bar for dinner!!!

With Elders Mocodompis and Kyle, Sister Cuang, Ezra, and Esther (children are investigators...mom is a returned missionary but has been away from the church for twelve years)

Elder Hendro, Elder Barrus, Lydia (who will be baptized next week) meeting after church in Sidoarjo

Photo shoot with Elder Rondonuwu and Elder Yarkasi wile waiting for Timur elders to finish discussion

Apartment Inspections

Each month we inspect the elders apartments for cleanliness and safety.  Sometimes we need to teach cleanliness...two months ago their refrigerators were disgusting!  Things growing inside the refrigerator, outdated and withered food items, spills everywhere! I am pleased to report that after teaching and setting expectations, during our last two visits they have been soooo clean :).   We always take a treat to the elders so they won't dread our coming!!  It takes us about five hours to visit three apartments.  Since this is an official part of our responsibilities as a senior couple just thought I'd include a few pictures from yesterday.  Most photos are taken while driving in the car....quality lacking!

Heading to the Barat elders...just turned off a major street onto this smaller road

Elders Kyle and Mocodopis passed the inspection!  

Across the street from the Barat elders apartment...can you find the cat on the roof?

Heading to the Timur elders...on a main road

Going to work ...

Motorcycle loaded with baskets and an inner tube (on left)...driver parked on road and is behind the fence post fishing.  A common sight here...

Timur elders also passed inspection...actually all elders always pass inspection....just sometimes with assignments to prepare for the next months visit :). Elders Hasibuan, Murphy, Barrus, Hendro

Traveling to Sidoarjo...tire repair 'shop' on side of road

Our zone leaders Elder Rondonuwu and Elder Yarkasi.  The treat this month was an apple, a banana and a snickers bar for each elder!