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

Neighborhood Service...Building Bridges

On Saturday we had the opportunity to work with members of the neighborhood surrounding the Surabaya Dua chapel in painting, cleaning and putting a new ceiling in the RTs office.  Neighborhoods in Indonesia are governed by a local community leader known as the RT.  it is a position designated by the neighborhood members that comes with a great deal of authority and power.  For example, an RT can close down an existing church in their neighborhood  if he/she so decides and the government can do nothing about it.  Although only five branch members participated, the Timur elders were there and so were we!!  I had such a great time visiting with the women and children in the neighborhood.  They were all sitting outside watching the work being done...they laughed at my poor Indonesian but were so happy that I was trying to speak their language.  The women here ALWAYS
ask me how old I am!  We danced the Hokey Pokey and sang Do As I'm Doing, then passed out milk and sweet breads to the children (provided by the church).  The church also provided chicken and rice lunches for all of the workers as well as the building materials.  We had such a fun day!!

The banner hung in the street announcing the event

Elder Anderson and Elder Setiawan washing windows

The young elders with some of the children

Passing out milk and sweet bread to the children

Changing Climate

The picture below shows us with some of the members and elders  when we arrived for church in Sidoarjo last week.  We meet in a garage owned by a member.  We found out last night that the RT (pronounced 

air tay) had informed the members during the week that we had to be out of that neighborhood within a month.  Last evening while the elders were cleaning the garage in preparation for church today someone came and spray painted on the building something to the effect of 'get out church or there will be war'.  Needless to say there was no church in Sidoarjo today....the elders are staying in Surabaya for a few days...but the work is true so somehow we will move forward!!