056 Tuesday to Tuesday (May 13-19, 2015)

We had some free time on the 13^th because of a dropped appointment with the missionaries, so we headed out to a mall that we had not been to before. There was an interesting store with some crazy outdoorsy name on it that I thought would be fun to explore. As it turned out, it was a nothing place – just some sports clothes. However, the store was in a outdoor mall-like area that was so much fun to explore. It was kinda cold that morning, and as the wind blew all around us, I wished I had brought a jacket. I had dropped Craig off at the store we were first interested in, and I went to park the car. This place was so busy, there were no parking places without a meter next to it. It was a very upscale type of place, with all kinds of neat stores to explore. I walked back to where I had dropped him after finding a spot in a parking lot several blocks away. I went into the store, walked to the back, grabbed him, and turned around to leave. We then took the time to travel around the area and peak at all the shopping possibilities. Do you know how hard it is to find clothes for old women that look don't like they are dumpy, but they aren’t risqué young women clothes. There were several things I saw, but immediately, I knew I couldn’t wear them because I’m too old for it. UGH!  Oh well, I have enough clothes already.

That evening we attended the MPAFUG meeting for genealogy. These people never fail to impress us. We love to attend and have gotten to know several of the people who are also there. Some of them we have worked with at the festivals, and it is like meeting old friends. We learn so much each time we go.

On Thursday, we had three missionary apartments to inspect. We did them in record time. The Sisters always have a pretty clean apartment, but one set of our Elders this time hadn’t even made their beds. What in the world! Did they think that was ok? It is fun to inspect and try to be tackful about their need to clean it up. We will soon begin revisiting those that we saw several months ago. Transfers have taken place, so we will get to see new missionaries in the apartments and how they have cleaned them up. I left each set of missionaries a copy of the notes that I made when visiting their place. I told them if they transferred to make sure the next set got the copy and to address the issues.

On Friday, we started going to the Temple once a week. It was wonderful. There is a fourth Temple film out now. I think Satan is a robot, but the creation scenes are the most beautiful that we have seen before. It was a delight to go, and we are taking a selfie every week to watch how we age.  Haha

Sometimes we should turn the camera's off.

On Saturday, our Bishop (Bishop Wood), his wife, Kim, and their daughter were in town to help another daughter pack and move to Layton for a year. He is a doctor, and he will eventually move to Indiana after Layton, and then once his residency is finished, he will go back to Utah to work. It was so good to see someone from home. Made us a little homesick.
 

Fun to See Our Bishop, Kim, and Their Youngest Daughter

 That evening we had a meeting set up with the Elders to teach a Spanish family genealogy and Family Search. At the last minute, they had to cancel, but we hope it won’t be long before we can do it. Then, since this meeting was cancelled, we could go to President and Sister Cutler’s at the Mission Home and play games with the Senior Missionaries. It was so much fun. You would be absolutely amazed at how aggressive Senior Missionaries can be when given a deck of cards.  We also played Charades using Church Hymns as our guide. Then we played password (where you were given a word and your team had to guess it in a certain amount of time). I believe the ladies won. We ate popcorn and drank Sprechers (best root beer found). 

On Sunday, we had to go to two different Wards in the same building to talk to their Ward Councils about Pathway. We have to help people become aware of the program and encourage them to sign up in order for the program to be continued in the Fall. The man who is over it wants us to help with the younger cohort, but he hasn’t offered to help with the older one.  We got at the building in plenty of time for the first meeting, and when we were through, we went to another room for the next meeting.  Unfortunately, the Priesthood leaders weren’t ready to invite the Sisters in and us. Finally, after they were 15 minutes late, we had to leave because Craig had been asked to confirm the Melchizedek Priesthood on Dave Armstrong. It was a beautiful blessing he gave Dave, and we believe that Dave and Virginia were amazed at it. Afterwards, Dave looked at Craig and said, “I guess you have done this before.” Virginia was thankful for what was said about her being such a great lady.

On Monday, we went to the gym that morning, and not having any appointments, we went downtown to see if we could find a place where we could find out about taking boat rides for when Katie, Anden, and McKay come to visit us. We walked along the River Walk, and it was a beautiful day, one of the few that we had that week. We found a Chinese restaurant that has the best hot and sour soup. We haven’t found it this good since leaving Georgia. The dinners that we ordered, we weren’t so impressed with. Next time, I’ll definitely try something different, and Craig will also.

On Tuesday, we took Victor to the Zoo. He got his Limited Temple Recommend to go do baptisms at the Chicago Temple. We are excited, and hope he will come up with a date soon. After the zoo, we went to eat a burger at this place that we had been told was really good. It was a replicated Burger King. UGH!  At 2:30, we had to be at a South Stake District Meeting for Pathway and the Polish Fest.  It went well, but we will now have to get to other South Stake missionary groups.

Great Picture

It has been a full week. We love it. The Lord is keeping us busy, and the days are flying by.

Our scripture for May is Doctrine and Covenants 67:10:

          And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto

          you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves

          from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not

          sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am –

          not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual.

Elder and Sister Lenhard