Today I went over the the Barretts and had lunch with Sidney and Camden while Lindy went to lunch at Thai Village with friends and Riley played at Gracie's. We had fun. Camden ate her hotdog on a piece of bread with mustard and ketchup while Sidney liked having her hotdog cut up in pieces on her highchair tray. She loves to chow down on those hotdogs. After lunch we went down to the playroom for our favorite activity: fixing food. Once again Camden made lots of delicious food for me. Sidney liked pulling all the food out of the basket, "eating" it, and then throwing it onto the big pile in front of her. She was also all over the room. It was hard for me to keep an eye on her. I took my eyes off her for a second, and the next thing I knew she was inside the jumpoline. I didn't see her get in, so I don't know how she did it. The next time I took my eyes off her, I turned around and she was standing up on one of the little chairs that are in the playroom. She's still pretty unsteady on her feet, so I don't know where she was going to go or what she was going to do once she got up there. Anyway, after all that fun, I gave her a bottle and she went down for her nap. Camden and I read stories and made a fort (full of comfy pillows) until Lindy and Riley came home. We read one more story and then it was time for Gramma to go.
Last night Steven was at the MTC welcoming 10 new elders. We have a full house in the branch again, and there isn't a district leaving for a few weeks, so we shouldn't be getting any new missionaries again for awhile. One of the elders who just arrived is a former "lost boy" from Colorado City. Fortunately, there was a good family in St. George who took him in and provided a good life for him along with the Gospel, so now he can serve a mission. Eight of the missionaries who just arrived are going to the Mexico City North Mission where Steven's cousin Janice Taylor's husband, Rick Castillo, is the mission president. We've only had two missionaries come through the branch who have gone to that mission. Now we have eight who are going. It's fun to tell them that they are going to the mission where Pres. Taylor's cousin's husband is the president. The other two elders are going to Bolivia Santa Cruz, where Steven served part of his mission.
On Tuesday night, Steven and I had dinner at the MTC in the cafeteria before going to the devotional where Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, of the Seventy, was the speaker. He's one of our favorite speakers because he served his mission in Finland, where Richard served. We feel like we have a connection with him. When Elder Neuenschwander served in Finland he became interested in languages, so after coming home he studied Finnish and Russian, receiving his doctorate in Russian literature. He has done so much work for the Church in that area of the world. His wife died last July, so he was accompanied by his grandson (who kept nodding off to sleep during Elder Neuenschwander's talk). Elder Neuenschwander spoke about four principles that will help you teach by the spirit: (1) diligent scripture study, (2) deliver the message, (3) bear testimony of Jesus Christ, and (4) remain worthy. He said, "If you work on these principles while you're on your mission, you will teach by the spirit." I think it can work for any of us who are wanting to teach by the spirit.
After Elder Neuenschwander's talk we met with District D, which is six elders and two sisters who will be leaving on March 12. They're the oldest district right now. I had to smile when Elder Calcara was speaking because he reminded me of what Tanner Faragher (a neighbor boy) might be like in ten years. It's always fun to meet with the missionaries. I told them about reading a letter Tiffany wrote (dictacted) 19 years ago to Grandpa and Grandma T. while they were in New Zealand. She said, "I like to go to the MTC. I like to be with the missionaries. My new friend in Elder Harper." It reminded me of the good times we had there at the MTC when the kids were younger. We're now with our second generation of missionaries at the MTC.