Wasps and Rats!

I took a call today from a distraught mom who'd received an email from her son yesterday telling her that he hasn't been feeling too good, has an ear infection and that he'd done a service project yesterday cleaning a bunch of rat cages. Ah, yes, the rat experience! I've heard about this from several missionaries who've been "blessed" with this "opportunity."

From what I understand, these aren't the little white rats that are barely tolerable as pets in cages. They're more like brown rats, wharf rats, common rats--icky, filthy, nasty sewer rats! It's a Rat Rescue run by a sometimes active, sometimes less active member who needs help cleaning which would give time for said member to attend church. That's all I dare say about that. As Bronson will say--Eeeew!! Elder Mecham said he actually cleaned cages for 18 straight weeks. What a guy!

Fortunately Elder Myers, the Zone Leader in the rat area, was in the office on exchanges with Elder Mecham when the call came in, and he spoke to the mom about it. He has a wonderful way of speaking to people and told mom that our mission nurse has requested that the missionaries no longer be involved with the project. Good call, Sister Nurse!

Since we were talking about service projects, Elder M shared one of his stories. He and companion were mowing the lawn for a less active member when he rolled across a nest of guinea wasps--at least that's what they call them in the south, which is mainly where they're found in the US. They build their nests on the ground. The first time Elder M mowed across the nest he noticed some activity, but it wasn't until the second time that they got really ticked and started to sting--they counted 29 times! They'd gone under his clothes and stung legs, arms, chest. Not a happy experience for Elder M. The elders returned one evening when all the little wasps had gone to bed and poured gasoline down the hole. Got 'em, or at least so they thought.

Two weeks later they returned again and discovered they'd built another nest, but they didn't figure it out till Elder M mowed over it and they swarmed around his legs. He took off running. This time he only had 9 stings but said that one arm swelled up to twice the normal size. He called Sister Wall, and she recommended he take benedryl immediately. There wasn't any in the apartment and he didn't want to spend $9.00 to buy it. Three days later it was back to normal.

Only the grandson would dare tangle with this creepy looking insect

I was about to ask if they returned to the same house for a third round but was interrupted by a fed ex delivery of 25 bike racks.

Joke of the Week:)

Sister Lyons, one of our cute Sisters serving in the Lafayette Zone and hairdresser from Calgary, AB, knew how much I enjoyed the jokes that she and her previous companion would tell. Sometimes I'd hear Elder Watkins laughing then repeating them. The bunny ones are the best but would make no sense if they're written. You really have to hear them. Anyway, Sister L is now calling me with "the joke of the week" for my blog. Here's today's entry.

A new bishop was visiting the homes in the ward. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

The following Sunday he found that his card had been returned under his office door. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the verse, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Then Sister L sent this comic.

Moving My Mountain

I feel like I moved a mountain today! In preparation for "The Exodus" of 21 missionaries in August, all the letters, itineraries, certificates, etc. need to be sent to Stake Presidents, Bishops, parents and missionaries. As soon as Pres. Hansen signs the certificates on Monday all of these will be turned over to the USPS in hopes of proper delivery.

This is what goes in the 4 letters for each missionary.

Signed, mostly sealed, and almost ready to be delivered.

Missionaries Galore!

Today was such a fun day! Elder L and I went to the Mission Home to help Sister Hansen serve lunch to the 11 missionaries attending MLC. I still don't know exactly what MLC stands for, but it's something like Missionary Leadership Council and includes all the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders. It was so good to see so many familiar faces but got even better after the meeting ended and they started streaming into the office. Also, several of them stayed and had their quarterly interview with the President, so they came and went for about 3 hours.

Elder Mecham--Assistant to the President--relaxing after a busy day of training

Elder Griffin--Assistant to the President and Marc Blocker's double in almost every way. He even has many of the same mannerisms. I'll be very sad when he's released in August. 

Well, these Elders might not have been to MLC. On the left is Elder Borget. He's another visa waiter who's been waiting over a year to go to Brazil. Next to him is our former office elder, Elder Adkins. We miss his smile and great attitude! Elder Abbot is in the purple shirt, and I know nothing about him, and Elder Bracken is our St. George elcer who just retuned after a 3 month medical release. It's good to have him back and know that all's well with his health.

Elder Steele--one of our 2 ever hard working office elders. I don't know what we'd do without him and Elder Watkins!

This is Sister Ogden and Sister Betts, STLs from Alexandria Zone. Aren't they adorable? Sister O is from Chico CA & Sister Betts is now from Colorado Springs. She grew up in Long Beach and actually went to the building where Bronson and Rosa now attend. Her dad's a police officer and they moved to CO about 10 years ago. I'm thinking that was a very smart decision for a police officer.

Sister Allen and Sister Brady, STLs from New Orleans South Zone.  Sadly they weren't in the office for long--just time to pick up some planners and a case of copies of the Book of Mormon (40 per box) then head home to Houma--about 1 1/2 hours southeast from Baton Rouge.

After spending 30 minutes trying to rearrange pictures I've given up! The whole top of the post is messed up and Elder Mecham refuses to move down the page. That's just how it's going to have to be!!

The Leesville Sisters

Are these sisters not 2 of the cutest in the South? Yes the are! Sister Thornley was in Plaquemine when we first started attending there but has since been transferred to Gonzales, Hammond and now Leesville. We haven't had sisters in Leesville since Elder L and I have been here, so she and Sister Neeley are sort of ground breaking. There are, however, Elders and a Senior couple arriving next week.

Sister N is brand new as of last Tuesday. She arrived here with the 17 others, but one of her pieces of luggage took a little vacation and just arrived yesterday. So, while these Leesville Sisters were in the area for Sister T's last PT for her ankle, they were able to get the much needed clothing which managed to travel to Atlanta, somewhere in Florida and the Dominican Republic. So far she's only missing one wheel but I don't think she's had a chance to see what's inside as the drive to Leesville is about 3 hours. And just in case you're wondering, the things she most needed were in the bag that did get here safely!

19 Points for a Good Missionary

This is the follow-up from last week when I mentioned Elder Rothschild from Hennifer UT. I think it comes from a book entitled Missionary Companion by Paul. J Allen. These are the 19 points that Elder R mentioned about how to be a good missionary. It looks to me like they could also be 19 points about how to be a good person.

1.  Be a righteous example (3 Nephi 18:24)
2.  Be bold, yet temperate (Alma 38:12)
3.  Cultivate desire and commitment (Alma 29:9-10)
4.  Be patient (Alma 26:27)
5.  Cultivate love and compassion (Luke 22:32)
6.  Cultivate the divine nature (D&C 4:5-6)
7.  Depend on the strength and support of the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6)
8.  Find those seeking the truth (D&C 123:12)
9.  Follow the Spirit (Mark 13:11)
10. Give it your all (D&C 4:1-4)
11. Have the courage to speak out (D&C 28:16)
12. Keep the commandments of the Lord (D&C 11:9)
13. Keep the Lord foremost in mind while serving others. (Matthew 25:40)
14. Labor with the promised joy in mind (Jacob 5:71)
15. Purify yourself (D&C 112:28)
16. Study and pray (Alma 6:6)
17. Teach from the heart
18. Teach from the Book of Mormon (D&C 20:8-12)
19. Teach rather than be taught (D&C 43:15)

"Our missionaries are going forth to different nations, and in Germany, Palestine, New Holland, Australia, the East Indies, and other places, the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:540

A Beignet Breakfast

What's better than a beignet breakfast with some handsome elders. The Office Elders and Assistants joined us at Coffee Call for something that at least 3 of them have never tried. I think they enjoyed them. Elder Griffin felt the need to help Elder Steele with the last of the beignets. Perhaps Elder G was hoping to get Elder S to inhale that mound of sugar.

After breakfast and errands we unloaded the groceries and went to the office. There was so much left undone on my desk, and most of it had to be completed before Monday. Lets' just say that this was a much more successful day than yesterday. The rosters are complete and 18 envelopes, including a letter from the President, a letter from their missionary, a map of LA marked where missionary is serving, and a picture with Pres & Sister Hansen, are ready to go out in the Monday morning mail.

While I was there for 3 or so hours there was a small stream of missionaries coming in, but none of them were leaving. Sister Schmutz and her new companion, Sister King, brought lunch for some of their district. But I didn't take pictures of  everyone.

Then Elder Mapa and Elder Morrell stopped by. Elder Morrell is an new Zone Leader in Baton Rouge, replacing Elder Adkins. So, as of last Wednesday, Elder Morrell will no longer be serving in Plaquemine.