IT'S A WRAP

Once a transfer, Robyn makes lunch for the Lenexa zone. This past week, the menu was do-it-yourself chicken/veggie wraps, chips, soda, and cookies. The elders and sisters are really spoiled by her. The lunch is usually right after our zone or district meetings. We ask the missionaries to pay a small amount to cover the cost of buying the food. It's a lot cheaper and healthier than McDonalds. This has become a fun tradition that we hope to continue as long as we are here.

Pupusas Salvadoreñas

Having a daughter-in-law whose parents are from El Salvador has been a great blessing here on the mission. We have been visiting Manuel and Melitza Toraya and their daughter Jocelyn the past few weeks. Manuel is from Mexico, but Melitza is from El Salvador and when we mentioned that Vanessa's parents were born in El Salvador, she got really excited. I think it sometimes helps to break the ice with people who maybe feel that we somehow can better relate to their culture and circumstances because of Vanessa. We told her that we loved pupusas, and she immediately offered to cook us a wonderful meal. To top it off, there were plenty of left overs to take home for mañana. 
We haven't met any Hawaiians yet , but when we do we are planning on pulling out the 'Hawaiian card'.  ;-)

MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD ASSIGNMENT

Presidencia del quorum de elderes
Julio Chavez , Pte Javier Silvan, Filiberto Vasquez, Luis Olivera

I have a firm testimony that the Lord knows the 'end from the beginning' and if we are humble and teachable, He can prepare us for service and assignments that will come our way. One of the responsibilities that President Ghent gave me in the North Torrance stake was to work with the Aaronic Priesthood and the youth. When President Hales was called, he had me continue with that assignment. I loved working with the wonderful youth leaders in our stake and especially the youth themselves. I enjoyed immensely overseeing the scouting program, youth firesides, the fathers and sons outings, youth dances, and treks to name a few. Last year, when President Carter was called to replace President Hernandez who moved to Utah, President Hales decided to make a change in responsibilities. He gave President Carter my assignments and asked that I work with the Melchizedek priesthood in the stake. I have to admit that I was not as excited as I probably should have been and inwardly murmured just a tad...

I really had to learn the MP duties and responsibilities and study the handbook as I sat in counsel with the each Elder's Quorum president and High Priest group leader every six weeks in the stake. Over time I gained a great testimony of the importance of the MP quorums and how they can really move the Lord's work forward.

A couple of weeks ago, the first counselor in the mission presidency asked to meet with me. He said that the stake president had requested that I be given the assignment to train and support the elder's quourm in the Kaw River ward. The EQ presidency all speak Spanish, but none of the stake presidency nor the high counselor assigned to the ward speak Spanish. Because of the language barrier, the EQ presidency has received little if any training or support from the stake. They are good brethren, but need a lot of training in their stewardship.

Last night I had the opportunity to sit down with them for the first time to begin the training. I was so grateful for the opportunity that President Hales had given me to work with the MP back home. Those experiences will be very valuable over the next year as we counsel together. 

I know that with the Lord's continued help, I can better serve the members here and help the work progress. The Lord knew exactly what I needed to learn and inspired President Hales to make the necessary changes so that I would be better prepared to serve here in the mission field. 

SEATING FOR SIXTEEN

A couple of months ago, we were invited to the sealing ceremony of four new additions to the Scott and Anaise Robertson family at the temple. They went from 8 kids to 12 overnight. Tonight, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at their house. The meal was delicious. Anaise is an incredible mom and the kids know exactly what to do. Scott provides backup.  :)  They have dinner time down to a science.

As you can imagine, their dinning table is huge, but not so big that you don't feel close to everyone. There was such a sweet spirit in the home. Scott and Anaise are great examples of love and devotion not only to their children but also to the Lord. 

PS - the dinning room table also serves as a class room table as Anaise home schools all her kids. I need a nap just thinking about it all.

'I hate these meeces to pieces...'

Our apartment is safer now since these 5 little rodents went to rodent heaven. Their downfall was their love of peanut butter. It has been a week now since the last one met his maker. Things have been pretty quiet around here, so I think we are OK now.