The week started out with lots of protests going on here in Sri Lanka against America.  There was a human rights issue going up for a vote at the UN meeting in Switzerland.  America was one of the countries that voted against Sri Lanka.  Monday Sister Ann was driving us to the hospital to visit with Sister Rosemary.  As we passed town hall,  we could hear a man speaking Sinhala over a loud speaker.  We asked Sister Ann what he was saying.  She said he is telling a lot of lies.  I said, "well, what is he saying?" She said, "this guy is a Buddhist monk and he is telling the people, if the human rights issue is passed that the Americans will come to Sri Lanka and burn all the patty fields."  I began to laugh and said, "Most Americans wouldn't even know what a patty field looks like."
When we were walking home from English class on Wednesday, we spotted this lizard in a bunch of tree limbs on the side of the road.  We love all the interesting insects and animals that we see and many times feel each day.
On Thursday we went to Sister Premila's home.  She lives about 2 hours from here. That is a very long trip in a tri-shaw! We love going to her home because it is away from the big city.  It is much cooler with lots of trees and less people and traffic.  Premila is engaged to a man from Alaska.  She hopes to be married by this time next year.  Premila showed us around the outside of her home.  They have many trees, plants, animals, and relatives living near.  As you look at the pictures, take a close look and you can see fruit on most of the trees.  I especially enjoyed the cashew tree.  Premila's aunt got a long pole and knocked a ripe cashew down and also a green one down so I could get a closer look at them.  They warned me against getting the juice on my clothes.  They said that it would stain you clothes and not come out when washed. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening.  Premila's mother fixed a feast even though we told Premila not to plan on us for dinner.  They love to cook and see people enjoy their food!  We got home around 9 pm. We were tired but excited with all the fun things that we had seen and experienced.
Our Sunday English class is progressing nicely.  We are so excited to hear sisters saying prayers and reading scriptures in English.  Last week Sister Kanthi gave a prayer in English.  This was the first time that she had ever attempted to pray in English.  She did a wonderful job.  I told her today how proud I was of her.  I also shared this with her grown daughter, Sandreen.  Sandreen said that her mother is speaking to the grandchildren in English and trying really hard to use English everyday. 
Message for the week:  D&C 88:123
See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.

Lizard

Premila & Sis Meyers at the well

Cashew tree

Overripe cashew

Old homestead house behind Premils's

Papaya tree

Jack fruit-hanging on trunk

Sunday English class

We gave our last discussion at Andrew, Ayoni, and Ann's home.  They are a wonderful family and our heart is heavy that they haven't prayed and read to know if what we taught was true or not.  They promised their missionary son that they would listen and they kept their promise but they aren't ready to commit to the gospel at this point in their life.  We will continue to pray that one day they will want to have the gospel as part of their life.
Sometimes we wonder if we are making a difference in any one's life.  We went to visit the Augustine family.  I have been assigned as Sister Augustine's, Darshini, visiting teacher.  When we go there we sing songs with the family and really enjoy our visit with them.  We asked her son, Abishek, what his favorite song was.  He responded, "Nearer My God to Thee".  As we sang in this very humble home, I felt the Spirit and knew that we were exactly where we belonged at that moment.
Darshini told us that her family wanted to sing us a song in Tamil.  It was lovely.  It was about how our Savior, Jesus Christ, helps us through our trials in life.  Darshini told me that she would teach it to us and we could sing it to our family when we went home.  They have a lot of work to do if that is going to happen.
The other senior couple, The Kellerstrasses, have returned to Sri Lanka.  Even though we don't see them often, it is nice to know that they are here if we need them.  They are back  on a 30 day tourist visa.  If they can't get a residential visa this time they will be leaving and reassigned to another area.  Pray that a visa will be granted!
Garrett will have a birthday in April.  He will be 6.  Riley had her 4th birthday on March 14th.  Their parents hosted a birthday party for them on Saturday evening.  There were around 60 people in attendance.  They played musical chairs, danced, and had a catered dinner for everyone.  It is fun to watch the people mingle with each other.  They are always talking to each other in Sinhala.  Of course many talk to us in English and that is fun for us.
We went to America this morning around 7:30 am.  Kyle blessed Nathaniel Joel Meyers at that time.  He had his Skype set up and we were able to participate with them.  We are so grateful for technology that allows us to be part of our children's and grand children's lives. 
Message for this week:  PUSH- This stands for 'pray until something happens'.  Continue to push and you will see miracles unfolded before your eyes.

Traffic in a roundabout

Cart for moving things around the city

Tri-shaw heaven

Bro Jeffrry's family singing to us in Tamil

Garrett, friend and Riley at their birthday party

Nathaniel for his blessing

As we look back at the week, we felt very busy.  We visited several homes either home or visiting teaching.  On the way to Sister Sherine's we got in a traffic jam with a herd of  cows walking along the road.  We see that quite often around here.  They are very kind to the cows.  The cows love to get into the garbage and eat it and they make big messes out of it.
It was Poya Day on Wednesday, so our English classes on Tuesday and Wednesday were smaller than usual.  They have Poya Day every month.  That is the day of the full moon.  No one works on Poya Day!  Many go to the temples to pray and meditate that day.
Elder Meyers took a picture of one of the buildings under construction.  It is always interesting to watch the construction men working.  You never see or hear any power tools.  They do every thing by hand.  That includes mixing the cement.  They do have cement trucks but most of the work is done by hand.  Notice the pole that holds up the freshly poured cement.
Saturday was an especially busy day.  They held an Open House at the Colombo Chapel.  It wasn't advertised very well.  In fact they had printed invitations but never handed them out at church.  Brother Harold did a lot of phone calling.  He called many of the less actives.  Several of them did attend.  There were also 3 or 4 non-members in attendance. 
There were two rooms set up with displays.  One room had The First Vision and the other had The Book of Mormon.  There was a member in each room to explain to those who came about the display.  Elder Meyers had a movie, The Testament, running in the chapel. 
After the Open House, we held seminary/institute.  When that was over we did the Faith in God Activity with the 8-11 year old boys and girls. 
We were exhausted when we got home.  We had been at the Church from around 9:30 am until 6:00 pm going constantly.  What fun!!
Elder Meyers was not feeling well this morning, so I got to go to Church by myself.  President Anton brought some antibiotics for him.  There is a virus going around and he wants to make sure that Elder Meyers doesn't die! He is fine this afternoon.
I had the wonderful opportunity of teaching the Gospel Principles Class all by myself.  I already was doing Sharing Time and Singing Time in Primary.  After primary I got to teach the English Class alone.
When I arrived home Elder Meyers thanked me for doing his share of the work.  I laughed and said, "I want to see you do Singing Time for me."  He thought that was funny.  I hope he doesn't have to do it because that would mean that I'm sick.
The weekly message:
The other day we were reading the Book of Mormon and as we read this scripture tears came to my eyes.
2 Nephi 25:26- And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
As we read this scripture, I could hear our grandchildren ask why are you  serving a mission?  This is the reason.  So that all of you may know of Christ and know to what source you and I can look for a remission of our sins. 
Know that we love you all and pray for your happiness!

Traffic trouble!

Building under construction

Book of Mormon display

First vision display



Colombo Branch Open House

Primary Activity--Doing the Hokey Pokey



We were talking with Reece the other day and she asked what we had been doing.  I explained that we had just got back from exercising on the roof. She wanted to know how we did that on the roof. I told her that we would send a picture of the roof where we walk. We exercise six days a week between 6 and 7 am. We get hot and sweaty but it feels good when it is over.
Maljini heard me say that I had made cookies with some kids, so she asked me to make cookies with her nephew, Tharin.  Tharin is seven years old and a very smart boy.  He liked making cookies but he enjoyed playing UNO even more.  We love having the children come into our home.  It reminds us of our grandchildren.
Sister DeAndra Perera returned home from the England Birmingham Mission on Thursday.  President Anton invited us to go to the airport with him and Ann to welcome her home.  It was a good thing that we went.  Her parents, President Anton and Ann didn't even know her.  She had changed a lot.  Elder Meyers and I had never seen her but we figured out who she was before the others did. She was exhausted from the flight and all the emotions.  She was sad when President Anton released her.
On Friday Sister Primali and President Kolitha hosted a dinner in honor of DeAndra.  We were invited and happy that we were able to attend.  It was a nice evening filled with lots of talking, eating, and laughing.
Saturday was the Colombo Sri Lanka District Seminary/Institute Activity.  Elder Meyers had worried about this for months.  It was wonderful. We organized the day to have lots of fun with several different games.  We planned it around a pioneer theme.  There were 42 youth in attendance with a few adults thrown in the mix.  We had gunny sack races, piggy back races, three legged races, the limbo, stick pull, paper airplane throws, and did the hokey pokey.  They had a blast!  We tried to pair the boys with the girls but they wouldn't have anything to do with that.  Many of these youth had never seen or done any of these games.  It was fun listening to the screaming, laughter, and yelling.  We ended the day with a short video by Elder Dallin H. Oaks on seminary.  Then everyone was treated to a rice pack and all the banana bread that they could end.  We were so excited that the activity went over so well. 
Today Jaden was blessed by his father, Jay Selvarajah.  He is a beautiful little boy.  His brother, Jared, sure loves him.  After church we were invited to Jay and Mythily's home for a catered lunch with most of the branch. It was nice to have a relaxed time to visit with people that we love.
Thought for the week:
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
We are indeed a blessed people to have a living prophet on the earth today!

Tharin baking cookies

Roof where we walk

President Anton & Sister Perera

Sister Hycinth with daughter DeAndra

Stick pull

Piggy back race

Doing the Limbo

Three-legged race

Jaden

Sis Mythily and Jaden

Dilitha, Shamitha & Sis Eashani

Monday was a holiday for many here in Sri Lanka. It was Maha Sivarathri Day.  All I know is that it is a Hindu Holiday.  Sister Eashani didn't have to  work so she called and asked if she and the boys could come over and make cookies. Of course we were happy to have them come. I helped the boys make chocolate chip cookies.  They don't have chocolate chips here so we used what they call Pebbles.  They are similar to our M&Ms.  When the first dozen got done, I placed them on the towel to cool.  When I turned around they were all gone.  The boys loved them and they disappeared quickly.  It was fun having kids around and hearing their laughter!
After our English class on Wednesday, we walked down the street and met Maljini.  We flagged down a tri-shaw and went to an Italian restaurant.  It was called, The Bayleaf.  It was great Italian food.  They were having a special catered event on the lawn.  They had set up a canopy and decorated with lights.  They were also playing some wonderful music.  We sat on the balcony and enjoyed our meal.  It is always nice visiting with Maljini.  After dinner we walked down the block and stopped at a chocolate candy shop.  As we were leaving Maljini ran into one of her former students.  She introduced us to her.  She was Stephanie  Siriwardhana, Miss Sri Lanka 2011. She was a very nice young lady and beautiful also.
For Christmas we gave President Anton and his family a card that promised dinner for all their family.  They were to pick the time and place.  We finally got them to go on Saturday.  We had nine go to dinner at Hotel 168. Papa K, Ann, Anton, Codi, Milli, Anjini, and Jared all came for dinner.  We enjoyed eating and visiting.
The Primary children were so excited today.  We had a Weird Scientist come for singing time.  I was the Weird Scientist.  I had some clear jars with water and vinegar and others with just water.  A child was chosen to choose a jar. Each jar had a number on the lid and that number told us to sing a particular song.  After singing the song, the child would choose a spoon.  The spoon contained food coloring and baking soda.  The children loved the experiment.  Some ran when the vinegar and water started to bubble. I love watching these children's faces as they experience new things!
Thought for the week:
D&C 11:20
Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.

Balcony view at dinner

Maljini & Miss Sri Lanka 2011-Stephanie

Papa K and Codi

Anjini and Milli



Jared and Ann

Garrett-Weird science in Primary



Sri Lanka has been hit with price hikes on their petrol.  As a result many people have been rioting and protesting off and on all week.  We went to Negombo on Monday to interview a ten year old girl for baptism.  When we got to the center of Negombo we could see a group of people and police all over the place.  We were unaware of what was happening.  We were detoured and as a result we got lost since we don't know Negombo.  The driver didn't know the roads in Negombo either and he couldn't speak English.  Elder Meyers finally found the ocean. When he found the ocean he knew his way to the church. We would go down a street and it would be blocked with upturned boats or burning tires or stumps or logs from trees. There were thousands of people in the streets .  Many of the men and boys had sticks and were hitting people if they didn't listen to them.  This is the first time that I have actually been scared since we have been on our mission.
Elder Meyers went into the church an interviewed Chakkrawarthige Ann Rashni Dilshani Fernando.  Her brother, Milan, is serving a mission in the Philippines.
While Elder Meyers was interviewing Rashni, I walked down the street and took some pictures of one of the roadblocks.  An older gentleman came out of his house and shuck his finger at me and yelled, "Don't you do that again."  The next day I asked our tri-shaw driver, Anura, why he would do that.  Anura said that the people of Sri Lanka are afraid when they see white people taking pictures.  They think that they will be turned into the police and then the police will come to that neighborhood and hurt or even kill the people. 
As a result of all of this rioting, we have stayed close to home most of the week.  We were able to visit a few people that lived close.  One of those families was the Wijendren family.  Anthony, the dad, Cristion, the mom, Steven and John the sons.  Anthony, Cristion, and John were baptized about 6 years ago but it took Steven another 3 years before he was baptized.  Steven said that every new missionary came to teach him.  Steven is a wonderful 23 year old young man.  He is the 2nd counselor in the Colombo Branch.  He is a spiritual giant!  We loved feeling the spirit that was in this beautiful families home.
Kyle and Heather gave us a wonderful present on Friday, February 17th.  Nathaniel Joel Meyers was born at 5:40 pm weighing in at 8 pounds 9 ounces.  He was 20 and 1/2 inches long.  We got to visit with him, Kyle, Wesley, and Jonathen this morning.  He is a beautiful little boy.  No, we are not prejudice!
Sister Premila got her financee visa paper work done this week.  She is going to marry a member of the church that lives in Alaska.  She is so excited that things are beginning to move.  We helped her fill out the paper work and took it to DHL and mailed it for her.  Hopefully in 6-9 months she will be able to go to America and be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple to her husband to be, Matthew.
The Colombo Primary kids acted out the story of Nephi being tied up by his brothers.  They did this for sharing time.  The kids here really like to role play.  They are shy but they get into the role playing.
After church we had a Young Single Adult Fireside at our home.  We watched a CES YSA Fireside given by President Packer and then we served lunch.  I made Mandarin Chicken, with the sauce, and fried rice.  We had German Chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. 
Weekly message:
1 Nephi 17:3
"And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them."
We will still have trials and challenges but He will help us through those!

Road blocks in Negombo

Rashni Fernando

Sis Premila with financee' papers

John, Anthony, Cristion and Steven

Primary role playing

YSA Fireside: Elder Meyers, Steven, Premila,
Shehara, Roddi and Hagobian

Drummers and dancers

Our dear friend, Maljini, invited us to attend the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera on Monday with her and another friend of hers, Theona.  Theona has been teaching German here in Sri Lanka for twelve years.  She will be returning to her home in England in a few months.
We loved Perahera.  It was a huge parade.  There were thousands of drummers, dancers, fire twirlers, three legged men dancing, Buddhist monks, Buddhas, and anything else that you might think of.  There were 45 elephants in the parade.  It was awesome watching all the lovely sites and listening to so many sounds. Many that were foreign to us.
The parade took 3 hours once it got started.  This is the first time that we have been in such an enormous crowd.  I think this is the biggest crowd that we have ever been in in our whole life. It was a very enjoyable and exciting time for us to experience.
We visited with Sister Margaret on Tuesday.  She is a very small woman.  She is less than five feet tall.  She is always smiling.  She doesn't speak much English but you can tell what she is trying to say to you. Her home was about an hour away from us.  She had prepared some food for us to eat, Manoka (something kinda like a potato) and Sambal(coconut with chili powder and onions).  I really liked both of them.  Elder Meyers had problems eating the spicy Sambal.  We enjoyed our time with her and she was happy that we had made the trip just to see her.
We continue to teach Brother Kumar.  He has many problems in his life and is having a hard time committing himself.  He is reading and praying and coming to Church.  We are happy about that.
We are also teaching a family, Andrew, Ayoni, and Ann. They are a wonderful family. They feel they don't have time to read the Book of Mormon.  We all know that they must read and find out for themselves if they are going to be converted.  This week we gave The Plan of Salvation Discussion.  I shared our experience with the death of Asher and showed them his picture.  I told them that I knew our Heavenly Father lives, Jesus is the Christ and we have this wonderful Plan that will help us be reunited with those that have died.  I could feel Asher's spirit as I shared this with this special family.  We want to see them become an eternal family but they have to do their part in order for that to happen.
Saturday we had a terrible thing happen to our Sister Jasmine.  Her husband beat her and she was sent to the hospital.  We went to visit her.  She was talking about going back to him.  We encouraged her to pray and seek help from the police and her family.  Elder Meyers gave her a blessing and another lady in the ward saw this and asked if he would pray for her, so he did.  Sister Jasmine has two beautiful little girls. I worry about all of them but I guess this has been going on for years and Jasmine just keeps going back to him.  She must be strong and make life better for herself and her girls.  Our hearts are sad when we see things like this happening to those that we love.
After Seminary/Institute we had our monthly Faith in God Activity.  The 8-11 year old primary children learned the 4th Article of Faith and everyone of them were able to pass it off by the time the activity was over.  We also took all of the primary chairs outside and washed them as a service project.  They had a blast working, talking, and laughing together.  A few even got a little wetter than necessary.  The activity ended with German Chocolate Cake being served.  Everyone enjoyed the treat!  Many had never had German Chocolate Cake.
Our message for the week:
Believe in God; Believe that he is, and that he created all things both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.(Mosiah 4:9)

Theona and Maljini

Buddhas to start the parade

Elephant dressed for the parade

More elephants

Monks & more monks-young and old

Fire twirlers

Sister Margaret

A country scene

Primary "Faith in God" activity

Rose from Sis Ann-family we are teaching