Elder/Sister Meyers

Handyman pruning the bushes

We were greeted by Saski one morning as we were leaving the apartment building. Saski had trimmed all around the bush but the top still needed to be trimmed. Elder Meyers asked him how he was going to do that. Saski said, "watch I'll show you." He moved to the middle of the bush and climbed until he got to the top and came out holding his hands out stretched. I told him he would be going to America. He was happy. He said that he brother was already in America and now he could join him. Saski is a wonderful young man. He comes and changes our light bulbs or anything else that he can do for us.
On Monday Maljini came to our apartment around 5 pm. We had met her at the Christmas party and she called later and asked if she could come for a visit. We said that would be great. We enjoyed getting to know her better. It is amazing how people are drawn to us. Maljini is not a member of the church but she loves to get to know Americans. She invited us to her house next week. She visited for over two hours before she left. She loved the home made bread that I had made that day.
We taught our first full discussion. Robbie is 26 years old. He was raised as a Hindu. Many of his family have converted to Christianity.
Elder Meyers and I had prayed before we went that the Spirit would be present. We knew it wouldn't matter what we said if he could feel the Spirit. I was giving the first concept. About half way through the concept Robbie became teary eyed and stood up and got his handkerchief and wiped his eyes. I told him through the translator that when I feel the Spirit that I react the same way. That was truly a testimony to us that the Lord had heard our prayers. Robbie committed to reading the Book of Mormon, praying about the truthfulness of it, praying about Joseph Smith being a prophet, and he also committed to come to church.
The yearly supplies for each branch came in so we made a trip to Negombo to deliver their branch and seminary/institute supplies. While we were there we went to the fish market and drying operation. If the fish is unable to be sold, they clean, salt and put the fish in the sun to be dried. The manager of the place met us as we got out of the car and gave us a wonderful tour. He showed us the drying operation and explained how it worked. Then he took us to the fish market and showed us many different fish. As he took us through the market he pointed out four small sharks. He said that the fishermen had caught the shark that morning and when they cut her opened they discovered that she was pregnant. The prawns were huge and the Parrot fish was beautiful. The Parrot fish was blue and yellow in color. The manager said there were 27 different types of fish. Of course when we got close to the end of the tour he kept saying how expensive it was to live here in Sri Lanka. He wanted a tip. We enjoyed his time so we gladly gave him a tip.
On our way home we had the driver stop by McDonald's. Elder Meyers and I got a fish sandwich, fries,and pop. We asked our driver what he would like. He said a chicken sandwich. So we got him a chicken sandwich, fries, and pop. He ate a few of his fries but never touched his sandwich or pop. As he drove he asked if it would be okay if he stopped by his house. We said that would be fine. As he got to this small home he said my kids never get McDonald's I will give my food to them and that will make them happy. His three kids, two girls and small naked boy, came out waving to us. This act that the father did for his children really touched our hearts. We said if he had told us, we would have gladly bought each of them a Happy Meal.
Friday afternoon the Relief Society sisters had a Relief Society Meeting. Sister Eshani, the Relief Society President, had asked me to demonstrate how to make a chocolate cake and banana bread. There were only six of us there but we had a good time talking and eating. Sister Eshani wants to have these meetings at least once every three months. It is so hard for the sisters to travel. Even though it doesn't cost much to ride the bus, it is a lot for them.
Saturday morning I went with Sister Eshani and Sister Ann and delivered Christmas baskets to some of the needy families in the branch. I had discovered that one 12 year old girl who is a daughter of one of these families only wanted a school bag for Christmas. I shared that with Sister Eshani. She said we will stop and buy one for her. We saw 4 families and it took us 5 hours to do that. Most of the time was spent traveling to their homes. Today at church the 12 year old's mother said that Udari loved her school bag. Elder Meyers enjoyed his 5 hours alone in the apartment.
Saturday evening we went to Rosemary and Harold's 25th wedding anniversary. It was a big deal. There were probably 75 to 80 people in attendance. Elder Meyers got the opportunity to speak. They had a catered dinner after the program.
Today was Christmas. It started by Jason's family, Mandy, and Parker's family skyping us. They were all at a cabin near Donnelly. Each year as a family we do a puppet Nativity. They did that for us over skype. Tears filled our eyes as we viewed the Nativity. It brought back such good memories. Jason then read a letter that we had written to the family. He asked if we wanted to read the letter but we hadn't kept a copy and probably wouldn't have gotten through it without tears. We want them to know that we loved being there for that short while and knowing that they were happy.
Then it was off to church for Sacrament Meeting. The branch organized a Christmas Program with scriptures, songs by the choir, and songs by the congregation. After the program there was a baptism for Sonali. She is the branch president's daughter. I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. We had three men there to see what a baptism was. Robbie, Gihan, and Dinuka were all there. After the baptism was over there was cake, biscuits(cookies), and ice cream cones served. Elder Meyers and I helped serve the ice cream.
Finally we came home after a District Council Meeting that Elder Meyers needed to attend. We had leftovers for lunch. At least we didn't have to stress out about eating too much and gaining a lot of weight. It has been a wonderful week for us!
We are grateful for each of you and hope that you have had a very Merry Christmas. Jesus is the real reason for the season and we have difinitely felt that this year. We look forward to a wonderful 2012 and wish you the same.