Wasn't it a great conference weekend? It was a spiritual feast and we felt like we couldn't get enough. It was wonderful to listen to the talks from a missionary perspective.
This is the most tired we have ever been after conference, however. It makes for a big weekend in the mission. A lot of people don't have cars, so we gave rides to many on Saturday and Sunday and sat in our non-airconditioned little church building for all the sessions. We were well fed spiritually and well baked physically. Between sessions on Saturday we hurried to a member's home where Elder DeMille installed a stove for her. She has gone five months without a stove so when a used one became available, it was a real blessing. Then we picked up hamburgers at McDonalds and went back to the church for the second session. Today more members came. In between sessions we had a potluck dinner. We had a newly re-activated member come and one investigator. I worried that they would feel the spirit and understand what was being said. When I asked the non-member afterwards what he thought about it, he said "it was ok." (deflation) When I asked the re-activated member what she thought, she cried and said it was amazing (inflation!) Elder DeMille and I have always watched conference but spending six hours at a stretch at the church in the heat is a new experience.
This week the weather has really warmed up. We were teaching follow-up lessons to a member who has a new baby. She wanted me to hold her baby. When the lesson was over and she took the baby, I was left with a big pool of baby poop on my lap. Elder DeMille had been teasing her five year old son and chasing him around. He was dripping with sweat. We had to go home and have a shower in the middle of the day before we could go to another appointment.
We were blessed to have an investigator be baptized a week ago. It is an amazing experience to see the Holy Ghost teach and draw hearts to Jesus Christ. His wife was baptized 27 years ago in the Dominican Republic but hasn't attended church for the last 26 years. So it was like we had two investigators. She only speaks Spanish and knew hardly anything about the gospel. It was very intimidating at first. Twice we had someone come in and help us with Spanish. The rest of the time I had to dig down deep, rely on the Lord, and study the Spanish version of Preach My Gospel. Not sure how, but it worked! It has been so fun to revive my Spanish. And when the Lord needs you to speak it, it comes a lot easier than when you do it on your own.
This weekend St. Croix celebrated Transfer Day. 100 years ago the United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark. There were some speeches and fireworks and a big party in town. Elder DeMille and I mostly stay away from the street parties and watch them from our balcony. When we do go we get quite a few stares in our missionary attire. Once a woman even told us we weren't dressed appropriately!
A couple of weeks ago we traveled to Puerto Rico for a mission conference. It is the only time we have been with all the young Elders and Sisters. I think they wondered where we came from as there are no senior missionaries in Puerto Rico other than the two couples of office staff. Elder Anderson and Elder Maynes were there. I am grateful for the dedication and devotion they have to the Savior in doing His work. We were sitting in a chapel when they came in and then they stood in front of the podium and had us all file by row by row and shake their hands. They both called us by name. I know they saw it on our name tags, but neither Elder DeMille or I could tell when they even looked at them. They both looked older and more tired than they do on TV. I love them and appreciate them so much.
They both spoke in Spanish. Amazing men. Elder Anderson talked about milagros. Miracles. He said we wouldn't be much of a church if we didn't believe and expect miracles. He said we need to work for and expect them in missionary work. He reminded us of what Nephi taught us. Nephi recounts all the miracles that God performed as He led the children of Israel out of Egypt, fed them manna, healed them from the serpents, and quenched their thirst. Then Nephi tells us,
" And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?" 1 Nephi 17:51
How is it that he cannot instruct us, that we should have miracles here in our mission? Elder DeMille and I are praying to have more faith and expectations of miracles. We hope you keep us in your prayers that we can find people to teach.
We love you all. We know all of you are doing so much good in the areas where you serve. We are all servants in the vineyard. Just be glad your vineyard isn't as hot as ours!
Love, Elder and Sister DeMille
Love, Elder and Sister DeMille
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