Giving Thanks

The first Thanksgiving of my life spent without extended family....could have had a pity party but instead had a great day with the elders in our district!

Spent ten hours baking on Wednesday....no Betty Crocker here!

Elder  Anderson prepping the fruit salad

One half of district

The other half

Playing 'gobble gobble'

Watching '17Miracles'

The end of a fun day!

The Lord loves and protects His missionaries

Last night we had two of the elders over to have dinner with us (a different companionship each week).  While we were visiting after dinner Elder Mendrofa shared an experience he had last week.  With his permission I'd like to share it...

The elders were on their bikes and were crossing a busy street at a crosswalk.  It happened to be one of the few crosswalks in the city that actually has blinking lights and emits a beeping sound.  As Elder Mendrofa entered the crosswalk and got about halfway across, a car came speeding towards him and did not appear to be slowing down.  His companion Elder Hall was just preparing to enter the crosswalk and saw the car heading straight into Elder Mendrofa.  As Elder Mendrofa reported, he clearly heard a voice say 'dorong' (push) and literally felt himself on his bike  pushed laterally....not forward, but sideways!  The car slammed on its brakes and came to a stop right where Elder Mendroza had been on his bike!  Elder Hall watched in awe as the bike and rider were miraculously moved from their original spot!  He could not fathom how they had moved sideways...but both elders knew they had just witnessed a miracle!  

We are so blessed to serve with these faithful young men!

Elder Mendrofa (on the floor)

Elder Barlow (Braxton's clone) on the chair

Elder Hall (on the table)

Elder Lopis on the floor

The Trip to Bali

It seems crazy to write that in the midst of serving a mission we took a four-day vacation to Bali with another senior couple...but we did!  (And with the blessing of our Mission President!!). We ate, relaxed, ate, went sightseeing, ate, spent a day in the beautiful clear water of the Indian Ocean, and ate some more!  We got to explore Hindu temples and shrines, visit a batik factory and watch them waxing the fabric by hand to prepare for each layer of color, snorkel in the Indian Ocean, walk along beautiful white beaches and wade in very warm ocean waters!  We had a wonderful time!!  Elder Anderson was able to place two Book of Mormons while we were there as well as share the Plan of Salvation pamphlet with a young man.....always a missionary :)

At the airport with Elder and Sister Knorpp

Wading in the warm ocean waters

The view from our hotel room balcony

Detail of Hindu temple

At the entrance to our hotel

Visiting the monkey temple...I do not  like monkeys!!

We had just been snorkeling...a first for me :)

Hindu temple on a cliff overlooking the ocean

Another view of the cliff temple.  We were not allowed to go up to it because there was a sacred ceremony taking place

Another First

We had the opportunity to attend a wedding on Friday.  I thought it might be a little awkward since we didn't know the bride, the groom, or either set of parents!   But they made us feel welcome and wanted!  It was quite different from our typical wedding...we opened and closed with prayer and a hymn; a spiritual thought was given before the actual  ceremony, and after the ceremony President Andi gave a blessing to the groom and then the bride.  Afterwards we were all given a box containing two rolls and a cup of water as we left the church :).    Oh...they place the ring on the right hand and when told he could kiss his bride the groom kissed her on the forehead...it's not acceptable to kiss on the lips in public!  A fun evening!!

The bride and groom as the ceremony began

Photos taken with guests after the ceremony

Yes, they even insisted on a photo with us :)

Sister Novi with her new baby

Hendi, Christin and Vina

Idul Adha

Tomorrow (October 15) is the Muslim holiday Idul Adha, commemorating Abraham and his son Isaac ( so I've been told).  Families purchase a cow or goat and take it to the mosque to be sacrificed.  Before the animal is beheaded the sins of the family are placed on the animal.  The celebration begins at 6am and lasts long into the day.  Once the animals are sacrificed the meat is given to the poor.

For the past weeks stalls of goats and cows have appeared all over the city.  Today we've seen many being mournfully led to their last meal!  We will observe the proceedings from our apartment balcony tomorrow...

Cows along the tracks

Pens of goats

Visiting Teaching

I'm assigned to visit five sisters each month....a pleasure to do but a challenge to schedule.  For three of the sisters it takes over an hour to get to their homes and trying to coordinate days and times has not yet  been successful :) I took for granted the blessing of being able to walk in five minutes to any sisters home while  in the Rexburg Sixth Ward!  I love my sisters in both locations and love visiting with them :)

Preparing to share the message in Indonesian

We meet with Sister Christin and Brother Hendi in their A/C repair shop.  They are both so musically talented...their voices harmonize perfectly!  They always include a song as part of our visit :)

Sister Ira and her daughter Joyce...they welcome us with so much love! Joyce sang "shine on" for us from the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program

Met up with the Elders when we stopped to visit Sister Yenni 

Our cute Sister Jenni!  She can pull herself up and stand on her feet for a few seconds now...progress in regaining her strength is slow but sure!

Saturday Sights

On Saturday morning we typically go grocery shopping before going out to visit members with President  Soewardi.  A few of the sights we see regularly and one or two we don't ...

Crossing the bridge

Traffic...both kinds

Creepy ghoulish figure where we cross the train tracks...sometimes her clothing is changed but she is always there watching...

Pulling into the parking lot of Giant, the store where we often shop

At the gas station...these little trains are all around Surabaya.  They drive through neighborhoods giving  rides to children

Children pushing their little jalopy down the street

Cattle and goats everywhere!  Not typical!  October 15th is a Muslim holiday and at every mosque in the country they will be sacrificing a cow and a goat, after which they are roasted and eaten by the people