Am I 64 or 65??

Last year when we flew to Indonesia we lost a day....March 24th to be exact!  So I assumed I'd stay 63 until I had another March 24th...but believe me I KNOW I'm 65 :). I had a great birthday....played tennis in the morning....in the afternoon the elders came  over to watch a movie, bringing me everything on the menu from KFC (I had mentioned once that we hadn't been there yet) and the sweetest card!  In the evening Brother Nestor, Sister Genesee and their daughter Aubrey came over for dinner and FHE.  The real highlight though has been the videos and emails from my children and grandchildren...my joy is full!

Birthday morning...

Elders Rogers, Johnson, Marsudi and Simanungkalit with KFC treats

Ready to watch 'Frozen'

Birthday card from elders...original artwork by Elder Wills

Starting dinner ....

One-Year Anniversary

Just getting ready to head out to visit two families in Sidoarjo...a great way to celebrate being missionaries for one year!!

Monthly Zone Training Meeting - March 2014

Elder Williams and Elder Anderson during the break

Young Elders and Sisters (serving in our zone) during the break

Blunder #3

Tonight was the Relief Society Birthday celebration in the Timur Branch.  In Lembaga Pertolongan (RS) on Sunday we were asked to wear pink and to be there promptly at 5.  In very typical Indonesian style, at 5 there were five of us there...the RS Presidency and Elder and Sister Anderson :). We began around six.  Just before the meeting began the RS President 'reminded' me that I was speaking on the blessings of RS in my life.  Unfortunately I had somehow missed the part where I was asked to speak!! Not sure if its the challenge with the language or my hearing...or both!!  Did manage to say a few things from my heart :)

Timur Branch Relief Society Presidency:  Sisters Win, Okkey, Ningsih, Sumarlik and Sukemi

The first piece of cake was presented to us!

Sisters in the Timur Branch...it's going to be so hard to say goodbye in five months!!  I love these sisters!

Earthquakes, volcanoes, and now floods!

The 'misi couple' and Peter are home teaching companions in the Barat Branch :). We just received four new families this month, so on Wednesday set out to find one of the families for whom the phone number was wrong!  We left at one in the afternoon but after searching the designated neighborhood and making numerous inquiries we were unable to locate the address we had been given.  It was now three o'clock, so we decided to head to the grocery store to do our shopping.  Within minutes the weather changed from warm and sunny to a torrential downpour!  I have never experienced such rain...it was unreal to watch the water rapidly rise in the streets.  Before long the water had risen to the point that it was in the car and we had about two inches covering the floor.  Cars and motorcycles were stalled everywhere....people were walking in water up to their waists....it was frightening to not know how long it would continue or what our outcome would be.  I silently prayed for help from The Lord as we navigated the flooded street.  We were so fortunate that our car didn't stall like many others and that we were able to continue to try to get home.  The usual thirty minute drive from where we were to our apartment took five hours...traffic jams everywhere!!  We arrived home at 8:10 in the evening...what a day!

The rain just beginning...

Continuing to rise....

People assisting those in  a stalled car....

Approaching higher ground on our way home!

The Indonesian Gourmet

Bananas from a members tree...they shared with us when we were home teaching on Saturday.  These bananas have hard shells and black seeds about the size of small peas!

Everything is fried inIndonesia, so.....

Frying bananas dipped in a batter 

Not quite as good as an eclair but actually tasty!

The Eruption of Mount Kelud

We've had some interesting experiences since living in Indonesia...earthquakes and volcanic eruptions being two of them!  It was such a rewarding experience to be able to assemble and then deliver humanitarian supplies to the people impacted by the volcano!

Waking up to volcanic ash settling over Surabaya

Upside down picture from the newspaper of volcanic eruption

Assembling 1500 humanitarian kits....toothbrushes/toothpaste, soap, combs, face masks, towels, prayer skirts, sardines just a few of the items in each bag.  Also took cases of water, diapers, women's hygiene necessities, food items...

Stopped for breakfast...rice and beef

Just arrived in Malang to join with those members to deliver the supplies

Brother Hadi, Sister Ningsih, President Soewardi, District President, Sister and Elder Anderson

A view of the village devastated by the volcano

Unloading the three trucks at a mosque serving as an aide station