June 14, 2015

I love my Monday mornings and visiting with my kids! It really seems to come quickly each week. I love to look at their ouwies, their creative projects, their silly faces as they see themselves on the screen, love their stories...everything about my kids and grandkids are the best! We did some financial stuff this week at the bank for Sri Lanka. We decided that our Monday class of seminary was going to be a party! We didn't tell the family though! It was Sister Darshini's birthday a few days before. We teach her kids. Her husband isn't in the picture anymore and we felt she needed some love! It was really fun. Her favorite place to eat is McDonalds...and believe it or not...they deliver here! I made brownies and had candles and a gift. We had a lot of fun that night and she was so happy! We love that family! They are coming to church each week now and it just warms my heart! Actually, this was Steve's idea....no...his inspiration. I wish I could be as inspired as he is. The next day, as we were walking, he mentioned that maybe I should contact the seminary teacher in Negombo and see if I could take her to lunch. He was going to be gone that day. So I called her. She comes to Colombo for work. She said I was inspired as she was coming earlier than normal for an appointment and that it had fallen through. She really wanted to visit. She hasn't been teaching the last few weeks and has quit coming to church too. It was Steve with the inspiration. I met her and we visited for a few hours and had lunch before she had to go to work. She is such a wonderful gal! I hope she gets things figured out soon...in the right direction!! I happened to get into a trishaw to take me back home where the driver was a young 21 year old. It was scary because he was totally inappropriate. I had him stop way before our home and went into a store to wait for him to leave. Made me nervous that's for sure. But made it home safe after that! Steve went with the Elders to Negombo. Elder Perera's uncle died. He was only in his 40's. It was a long hot day for them. They actually keep the body in the home. It looks like they are laying on a bed....but it is actually the casket where the sides and end fold up and over the body! The women are wailing and crying the whole time....and they faint. The Elders would have to go pick them up and set them down somewhere. They would then start it all over again. The undertaker gave a speech at one point basically telling them that the reason he died so young is because of the bad things he did in a previous life. They finally took the body out of the house and took it to the church where the Priest put holy water on it. Then to the cemetery where they lowered the body down and covered it up. More wailing. Tough day for Elder Perera. His parents were there and many relatives. We visited a new investigator, Zeeniya. She is awesome! She is really creative and sweet and is very interested in the gospel! It was great watching the elders and being part of her teaching! We also went back a few days later. She is just loving everything she is being taught. She is a Muslim but has never really practiced. We taught Stephanie and her dad again! We also went with the Elders to teach a recent convert. She has a very crazy son! Steve kept him happy by reading a book and then letting him take his phone and look at the pictures....and then take pictures! Our English class had about 25 people this week. Makes it crazy! But the people are really great. Lots of moms with their kids. I have added more piano students. I am now teaching 14 students. Elder Funk told me what a great thing that is to do...as there are not many who play. The people are actually doing very well. It is fun to see them eager to learn! We visited Bro Jeffry and his family. They are a great, active family. Enjoyed the visit! We also thought we saw a TGI Fridays in our travels. So we went back on Saturday night and sure enough...there it was! It was really good! We beat the rush so it was nice and relaxing! Today was Fast Sunday. Another great meeting. There were 7 investigators today! Half of them have baptism dates! We love Sundays....visiting with everyone before and after the block. Steve had a meeting with the District Presidency and I had a RS meeting so we were there late. We had Pres Nihal and his family over for dinner as well as the missionaries later on. Great day! Steve is already asleep! I get to have another Monday in about an hour and talk to the kids again a few hours after that! Yipeee!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Sister Darshini

She wanted McDonalds!

Lunch with Sister Nishadi

He's still got it....!

Really shocks the elders!

Zeeniya-a wonderful investigator!

Talented lady!

Mangosteen-before cutting into it

This is the inside!

It is delicious!!!!

Beautiful sunset!

Parliament!

The feast of St Anthony celebration

Sister Madhiwadhini gave me a bird

Her very active son...Freddie

Freddie is taking selfies

Nano car we ride in to our appointments

Steve can calm him

Is that a TGIF?

It is!!!

Ok, lets go eat there!

YUM!

Elder Perera's uncles funeral

Elder Perera's father, sister and her daughter

Massey Ferguson tractor with 10 people on it!

Funeral procession    

And another

June 7, 2015

My husband is melting. The heat is really affecting him these past few weeks. It isn't that it is hotter than usual...I think it is very humid right now....but it is just hitting him pretty good! I hope he can make it for the next several months! The monsoon season is upon us and it is supposed to rain a lot. We shall see!!!
What a great week we have had. Our seminary classes were great this week. Great kids!! We were invited to have lunch at one of the less active families' home! The oldest daughter was turning 25 and she wanted us to come. Her mother is a wonderful cook! The parents do not speak English. But they love us to come with the Elders. The family was baptized several years ago but are now attending another church...where the middle daughter is a youth minister. They quit coming to our church when they consolidated the branches and got rid of the Sinhalese speaking branch. You know, it really would be hard to sit in a meeting for 3 hours when you do not know what anyone is saying. The meal was very good and we enjoyed visiting with them. Later that evening, we were invited to another home for dinner with Nihal and Eashani and their family. It is interesting how the meal didn't vary much from lunch. They really eat the same things in all the homes...for all the meals! Fun evening! They were just sealed in the temple in Salt Lake in April. They are so happy because they saved for 19 years to make it happen! We really enjoyed our evening with them! Steve spent time with the Elders visiting while I finished a lot of financial mission things as well as the forms for seminary. That stuff is not hard but takes so much time! I really don't mind doing it. But it is nice to get it done for a minute! Thursday we visited Inoka and her family. We are teaching her daughter. We had our English class that evening. Our students are a lot of fun. We lose some and we gain some. Each week is a new experience! Our weekend was really the greatest! We had the Mission President Pres Berrett and his wife here as well as Elder Randy Funk and his wife. Elder Funk is a general authority serving in the Seventy. He is assigned to be the President of the Asia area. They are on a mission tour for 10 days and are starting here in Sri Lanka.  Elder Funk reminded me so much of my Grandpa Crebs.  Maybe that is why I felt an instant connection to him!  So we basically had a district meeting where the mission president and a general authority came! Elder Funk doesn't think that has ever happened! There were the 4 elders and Steve and I! What a powerful day we had with them! They are wonderful teachers and motivators. Elder Funk interviewed each of us! He was so personable and loving. It was such a blessing to be there with him! After the meeting, they took us all to Burger King for dinner! Fun treat! Saturday was the beginning of District conference. We are getting a new District Presidency! There have been interviews and calls that have been extended. The first session was held in the afternoon from 3-5. It was piped into the other buildings of the district. We had a little RS choir that we put together right before the meeting! The meeting was joined by another wonderful man, Elder William. He is an area authority seventy. He is the first person from India to be called and was sustained in the last general conference. What wonderful and powerful talks and lessons we learned that day. Sunday was the main session in Negombo. They had a bus to take everyone from Colombo to Negombo. They also had a bus from Kandy. We were lucky enough to be able to travel with The Funks, the Berretts, Elder William and Pres Anton and Ann in A/C in a van!! We got there before the busses and were able to meet all the people as they came in from all the branches. It was really great. We just love these people so much! They released Pres Anton and called Pres Kolitha ((our current branch president) to be the new District President. Bro Nihal is a counselor and also Bro Thomas from Negombo. There were testimonies bourne by the old and new people. Then fabulous talks by all the leaders. Such powerful men and women! There was a Priesthood leadership meeting later. Steve had to speak in that meeting. I am sure it was really great!! During that time, we had an Auxillary training with all the District Presidencies....with Sister Berrett and Sister Funk.. It was excellent as well. We just felt the spirit so strong this whole weekend. We loaded the Funks and Berretts and Elder William into the van and took them to the airport. We then went back to the church and picked up different members to bring them home. It was a great ride! We sure belong to a wonderful church. I am so grateful for my testimony and the great love that I have for my Savior. Steve and I are so very blessed here in this great country!

Happy Birthday Maheshika!

The whole family!

Happy Birthday Shamindri!

Seminary day!!

District Conference with Elder & Sister Funk and Pres & Sister Berrett

The Condies with Elder and Sister Funk

Elder Robert William from India