Stories for this week...

A funny thing happened to me last week...a missionary friend and I met in a group of friends greeting each other and she said to me, "I have that same skirt! We should call each other next time so we can be twins!" (She is a very upbeat and fun person) Then I said, "That's so funny! You must have had this skirt forever like I have!" She did not even bat an eye and responded with, " Oh I don't know about that, I got mine at Desert Industries." I just didn't know how to respond to that....maybe I need some new items in my wardrobe. Maybe I'll go see what I can find at DI??? So many of the missionaries shop at DI it is a wonderful thing. When we first arrived we bought a lot of things there. I found some plates that I really like so I think I will probably bring them home but I think I will donate some of my clothes to DI. ^_^

This was not the funniest thing that happened however.

The funniest thing was Ed, determined to help out his daughter, going to the store to buy more nursing bras for her. She had written out all the specifics and showed him the kind that she liked. He took it and was heading out the door when I made him stop and at least put the bra in a bag to carry it into the store! "Ed!", I said, "You are wearing a missionary badge! You cannot go walking around the mall holding onto a bra!!" (I was holding Edison and I was laughing so hard I'm sure he was having trouble staying asleep.) Not long after Ed left the house the phone rang. Yep! It was Eddie at the mall, in the maternity shop with options. He had apparently walked into the store and promptly found someone to help him and announced, "I am here to buy bras for my daughter. She just had a baby." I am sure the clerk was very impressed. What a guy! He will do anything for his girls!

Last week was regular work for us. I did complete my part on Sister Mapu's book. We did a test printing for her and it wasn't finished until Friday when I was off so I didn't get to see her face, but Sister Latimer called me and told me that Sister Mapu cried when she saw her book... she was so happy. I am so glad she was pleased.

I also had several diversions during the week helping out my mother who has not been well. My cute 86 year old mom has been struggling for about 6 weeks now and I am so happy that I am here to be able to help her. I have other siblings in the area too but I am glad that I have the flexibility to leave my work and go help her out when she needs me. She has been in and out of the hospital but we think we have finally turned a corner and she is much better. It is very humbling to watch our parents struggle as they get older knowing it will be us in not too many years. I am so grateful that I was able to get up out of the wheelchair when I did. I am very blessed.

I also want to record a story from Sacrament Meeting today. One of the speakers told of some women in the Philippines who are so supportive of one another. When one sister has saved enough money to go to the temple all the women walk with her to the bus station. As she gets on the bus, the one woman wearing shoes removes the shoes and gives them to the one going to the temple. When that woman returns, she keeps the shoes until the next woman goes and then she passes the shoes on.

I was very touched by this story. What a sweet reminder of the sacredness of the temple experience and the tender mercies of the Lord as we help each other remember what is most important in our lives. I am so grateful to be here with a temple basically across the street where I can be reminded of eternal truths.

If we do our best, then the best we can do will get better all the time.

(Sorry about no pictures. I must have clicked something wrong because it won't let me add any now. There will always be next Sunday!)