Friday, November 8, 2019

Snake in the Church? and more...

South of us, in the city of Coimbatore, some church members shared some pictures of a snake that had got into the church somehow. Just making himself at home.


I didn't know snakes could read the "Visitors Welcome" sign out front...


Coimbatore Chapel


The snake was about 6' long.



We said goodbye to some Elders and Sister who completed their mission. We grew to care so much for many of the missionaries.

Elder Livingston (going home), Elder VanValkenberg (Still here), Elder Ostler (going home)

Sister Thirthuvaraj (going home), Sister Ravulapudi (still here) and Sister Babu (going home)


Time to welcome new Elders and Sisters that just arrived



 A new sister arrived and they are ready to go to their new area.


Elder Uthale and others leaving for their new areas of service. We enjoyed working with him during our missionary Prep class.



A big festival or celebration in India is called Diwale. They put up lights and also do fireworks everywhere. It was in October this year. Last year it happened when we arrived in November.



 Our next door neighbor decorated their floor using colored powders/sand.



Oops, looks our oven is not tall enough for bread when it rises more than expected. Sister Martin yelled out when she saw her bread on fire in the oven.



We took our good friend Vasanth to dinner. Kind of a farewell dinner. He use to work with us in the mission office.


Sister Martin enjoying the hotel flower display where we went to eat.

MLC - lunch time
In between the day long training and discussion, everyone enjoyed this short lunch break.


Sister Panner and Sister Paduru on the right

Elder Anand Shiva and Elder Mungamuri

Elder Thamma

Elder Joseph and Elder Bangari


Sister Martin and I conducted some training during MLC about the new Asia Area Light The World initiative, budgeting, preparation day activities, apartment cleanliness, and companionship English study program for those who may be struggling to learn English.

I shared this story at the conclusion:

I was attending a stake conference in Southern California when a young missionary came up
to me and said, “Brother Monson, do you remember me? I’m the missionary who had not
received a letter from my mother or my father during my first nine months in the mission
field. You told me, ‘Send a letter home every week, Elder, and your parents will write to you.’”
Then he asked, “Do you remember that promise, Elder Monson?”

I remembered…… I inquired, “Have you heard from your parents?”

He reached into his pocket and took out a sheaf of letters with an elastic band around them,
took a letter from the top of the stack, and said, “Have I heard from my parents! Listen to this
letter from my mother: ‘Son, we so much enjoy your letters. We’re proud of you, our
missionary. Guess what? Dad has been ordained a priest. He’s preparing to baptize me. I’m
meeting with the missionaries; and one year from now we want to come to California as you
complete your mission, for we, with you, would like to become a forever family by entering the
temple of the Lord.’”

This young missionary asked, “Brother Monson, does Heavenly Father always answer prayers
and fulfill Apostles’ promises?”

I replied, “When one has faith as you have demonstrated, our Heavenly Father hears such
prayers and answers in His own way.”

PREPARATION BRINGS BLESSINGS
APRIL 2010 & 1990 THOMAS S. MONSON

Link to complete story / talk Ensign Magazine - That we may touch heaven



We had around 50 Trick or Treaters for Halloween in India. The apartment complex had so many coming and going. We finally took our pumpkin sign off the door since we ran out of candy.


We attended a baptism service. What a wonderful event. Many members also attended.


We invited President and Sister Thomas over for Sunday dinner, along with a new couple, Elder and Sister Jensen who are the new Humanitarian couple.

We went out on our balcony as they walked to our apartment. I made a Pad Thai Noodle with Shrimp. Sister Martin made a stir fry vegetables, a green salad and lemon bars. It was good.




Us and the Jensens

A bug was crawling on me the other day and I swatted it off. I saw it on the floor and we took this closeup. Not sure what kind it is.



More on our walk to the office. The construction continues to make it an interesting commute.

That's a nice little pool. Anyone up for a swim?


That's about a 7' deep hole right near where we walk. There was a caution tape around it but not anymore.

Almost back to our nicer sidewalk in front of the church

Oh no, they've started to dig up our one small piece of sidewalk in front of the church