Week 66

6 May 2018

Dear Loved Ones,

It’s been a pretty quiet week in the mission, but overall it has been the highest Baptizing month since the start of the year. We have had 22 baptisms. Some of those baptisms were in March but they had to wait to be confirmed because of April Conference. The report can’t be turned in until they have been confirmed.

I don’t think I’ve shared with you the amazing adventure one of the companionships in our mission experienced in the last month. These two slender, average-height missionaries must have looked like easy prey to the man who pulled a knife on them (he must not have known missionaries don’t have money in their pockets). The Elders talked the man into putting his knife away. The minute he did, the Elder, that has a black belt in Karate, took him down and his companion called the cops. They held him until the police arrived. Much to the President’s chagrin, the incident made the paper. Reporters keep calling President Hancock for an interview. He always replies, “No comment.”

Thursday, when I went to the Baptist Pantry where I work on Thursdays 4 to 7 they ask me, “Where were you Sunday? You said you would come to the Appreciation Dinner.”  I felt so sad that I totally forgot.  It would have been last Sunday while I was working on my Primary lesson and feeling sorry for myself that I wasn’t in Farmington with Collin and family. They gave me a framed quote from Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”, a tee shirt and a chocolate bar with a cute label.  I will take a picture. I still have the cute label, but the chocolate bar was consumed before I made it home.

I have enjoyed watching parts of the women’s conference.  I was especially impressed with something that Sister Eubank said that she learned to say in her morning prayer, “What is the one thing you want me to do today.” Help with setting priorities and staying focused on the most important thing-- Life is so full of distractions. This is like the Jordan Peterson quote, “Choose the meaning full action over the expedient”.

7 May 2018

Didn’t get this finished because I was invited to have dinner with the George family. David Linford’s niece, Rebecca George, just had her 5^th little girl. David’s sister, Orva, was visiting to help with the new baby and she fixed a delicious dinner.  I even asked for the vegan recipe. They were kind enough to include me. The most fun was holding that brand-new baby. New babies bring a little bit of heaven with them.

Would have loved to be at the family music events this weekend.  I am so pleased with the talents my granddaughters are developing. Kudos to Emily and Elena for their part in Les Mis and to Lila for completing her Suzuki book. It’s painful to be so far away.  I will be home soon and I look forward to not missing important family events.

Love and hugs to all,

Grammie/Sister Shill