We have had a really busy week beginning with a conference luncheon without a kitchen and ending with a wonderful first Sunday as a RS presidency. Elder Glenn and I had just arrived home on Monday from our Costco run to prepare for another luncheon when the office called to say that the kitchen was undergoing some warranty work and the counters and sink were being redone. It must have been inspiration that we had planned for a ciabatta sandwich luncheon with no cooking needed for that day. We literally moved into the gym and set up tables to put it all together. We had already planned to make the dessert and side dish at our home kitchen. Everything came together and now I understand that the kitchen is all done and ready to go again for this week’s luncheon. We will need it this week for pulled pork and rice and a bigger crowd. We have really grown to love these opportunities to cook for the missionaries as we get to know so many of them. I am still trying to keep track of them and all their movements through the mission.
Today we had our branch Linger Longer potluck after church. It was a great success with a good crowd and even some people we hadn’t seen before. We were so busy visiting with everyone that we forgot to take pictures. We gave one fellow a ride home afterwards. He is reading the Book of Mormon and committed to come to our FHE tomorrow night where Elder Glenn is teaching the lesson. Our FHEs are getting quite lively as we have upgraded to including a game with the lessons. We take turns with the Elders and the Sisters in teaching the lessons as we have some recently baptized members as well as a few friends who are being taught by the missionaries. Elder Glenn has gotten pretty good at making up Kahoot games. I think it is a favorite of his.
It was also my first day to have a full presidency in RS and our first RS Sunday. My first counselor is Sis. Sanchez from Chili and is expecting a baby in February. I stole her from YW, but they have forgiven me. My Second counselor is Sis. Robert from Haiti and she loves teaching seminary and SS. Both are amazing, faithful and talented women. Because I basically know the end point of this calling it was important for me to choose sisters who may be called to this position next year. I had hoped to see a member called to be RS president, but hopefully this time can be good training for future leadership. I can’t tell you how much Senior missionaries are needed in these small branches. There are about 10 strong core families, and they get called on for everything. My goal is to include more of our less active members. I think for so many it was a matter of getting out of the habit of going to church and just being too busy. We also have a very large area to cover and the traffic is an issue.
Well, we have said goodbye to some dear fellow senior missionaries and have heard that more are coming in November. That will be great to see. This week we also received another assignment to assist a young missionary from Tahiti to learn English through the church’s English Connect program. He is getting lessons from a senior missionary online and studies with his companion. We will be practicing with him in conversations once a week. I invited Elder Tamarono and his companion to our apartment once a week for lunch and “conversation” practice. I think it was the lunch part that Elder Spinks, his companion, got really excited about. This will be fun starting this week on Fridays. I like staying busy and the time is really starting to fly as we head into our second Fall season in Quebec. Elder Glenn’s bike ride on Saturday was on the cool side, so Fall is definitely in the air.
Au revoir,
The Glenns
(Gigi & Papi)