Humanitarian Couple Apartment, Birthdays, Sisters conference and more

During the month of November we were so busy setting up and moving to a new apartment in anticipation of the new office couple coming. Little time to do our blog so trying to catch up. We will revert back to our original assignment of Public Affairs.

Found another selfie I took at Stake conference, I'm wearing my 2,400 rupee ($34) custom made suit.

We welcomed Elder and Sister Jensen, the new Humanitarian couple. With the help of Vasanth, we found a new apartment in Hyderabad for them.

Do you think they would like the apartment with pink and white checkerboard walls?

How about this yellow/orange rainbow ceiling one? This one is brand new.

That's the one we picked.

Is that the Bishop helping to move them in very late at night?

A/C's and water heaters had to be added since most apartments don't come with those in India.

Here's a couple of pictures of the moving truck to move the furnishings from another apartment to the new one in Hyderabad.

As we mentioned before, we invited Elder/Sister Jensen and President and Sister Thomas over for a Sunday dinner. The Jensens had just arrived in the middle of the night, about 1 or 2 am. President and Sister Thomas had been away for several days of Zone conferences and scheduled their flight to arrive about the same time as the Jensens did so they could greet them at the airport. Here's a video...

Oops, the water supply to the washer got disconnected. Better fix it.

Elder Martin fixing a few items in the apartment

Birthday celebration of Allen who we work with closely in the office.

Sister's Training Conference

Sisters Ravulapudi, Barnwal, Paduru, Masih, Shanmugam, Stephen, Thangaprakasam, Panner

Ah Oh, glad we aren't walking home in the dark right now. That's a 5-6' deep hole.  

Enjoying some Paneer Tika Kebabs for dinner with a cashew chutney dipping sauce, yum yum.

Saying goodbye to some more great missionaries

Elder Biggs

Elder Peters

 Sister Panner getting her allotment a little early this month.

Two Sisters off to the MTC in the Philippines.

Saying goodbye to Elder Joel. We enjoyed teaching and getting to know him in the missionary prep class. He will be a great new missionary for the New Delhi Mission.

Missionaries getting ready to go to the MTC with some family and other missionaries.

Another cow in the road.

India Bengaluru Stake Conference - We loved being in the Choir

We wrote this story about a wonderful stake conference we attended November 9 - 10, 2019

Bengaluru Stake Choir led by Brother Jubal, left - The Choir sang in three part harmony: Soprano, Alto and Tenor

Hundreds of saints from the Bengaluru Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gathered to hear messages from their local leaders and other brothers and sisters who prepared and presented messages. Buses arrived bringing members from as far away as KGF. Elder David F. Evans, General Authority Seventy and President of the Asia Area presided at the Saturday and Sunday sessions of the conference.

Elder David F. Evans, General Authority Seventy spoke at all sessions of the Stake Conference

Elder Evans spoke on many topics, but many were anxious to hear if he brought news of the future temple to be built in Bengaluru, India. He said that temple details and announcements come from the First Presidency and he didn’t know exactly when that announcement will happen. He did say that we will know more details including an artist’s rendition of the temple, “very soon”, “sooner than you think.”

The Stake Presidency, President Sampson, President Sunderaj, President Anthony, President and Sister Thomas and others enjoying Elder Evans’ address

Elder Evans spoke to everyone about how he takes notes during conference and then proceeded to give short recaps of the talks that were given. He talked about covenants that we make including at baptism, detailed in Mosiah 18:8-10 in the Book of Mormon where Alma and many gathered at the “Waters of Mormon” where people agreed to “mourn with those that mourn.” He then shared a recent experience about his nephew and his wife’s baby named “Charley” who was born with a serious heart problem. The family was very concerned and asked all to fast and pray for him. He received Priesthood blessings. Charley received two operations, but it was Heavenly Father’s will that Charlie should return to his heavenly home and died after living only ten days. Hundreds attended the funeral. He said this experience brought the family very close. Many “mourned with those that mourned” and “comforted those that stand in need of comfort.” He quoted Mosiah 18:10 where it says, “…being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?”

Elder Evans urged all the brethren to listen to the Women’s session of the October 2019 General Conference. He also said that your children need to see and hear you pray, adding that Fathers need to be there for morning and evening family prayers. He also talked about how fathers and husbands should speak kindly with love to their family.

The Stake President, President Sunderaj, spoke about President Nelson’s challenge for us to walk the covenant path. He said we need to do this because we are God’s covenant children. He added that we have made covenants at baptism, receiving the Priesthood, and covenants in the temple. He said that keeping these covenants opens the door to spiritual blessings and that we may receive, “All that the Father Has.”

President Sunderaj and Elder Evens Greeting a member after the Saturday evening session

Sister Sabita Isaac, who grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal spoke of seeking for truth, many challenges and adversities, and then countless blessings received from the Lord while serving full time in the India Bangalore Mission and later being eternally sealed to her husband in the holy temple.

President Thomas, India Bengaluru Mission President, spoke about traditions in our homes leading to conversion during the Saturday evening session. He talked about both good and bad traditions and gave examples from the Bible and other sources.

President Thomas enjoying his wife, Sister Thomas speak on finding joy in adversity

Several others spoke, edifying and giving strength to all of us who listened. 

Hundreds attended the India Bengaluru Stake Conference November 9 – 10, 2019

A few buses came with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from KGF and other areas

Many Latter-day Saints visited after the conference and took pictures such as this one of a few stake choir members.

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