Pioneers in Africa

Set up time for the temple this week. 

Commit to read the scriptures with Collin every day. 

Commit to family scripture study every day. 

Do not criticize. 

These are my goals this week. A man in church gave a talk today about his trip to the Congo as a representative of the church. He was there to meet with church and government leaders about ways to digitize family records there so that people could do their family history work and prepare names for the temple. The church is growing at 10% there. (Grows at 1% in America.) He spoke to one bishop who told him they baptize about 3 people a week in their ward by that they could do better. (!!!) 

From one end of the Ward to the other is about 3 hours. No one has cars. People have to walk or pay for transportation. Not everyone can afford to go to church every week. One man walks 3.5 hours each way to church every week. Another family has to pay for transportation which is about $1 (average wages are $3/week there.) When you get there there are no cars in the parking lot but inside the building is overflowing and bustling with excitement and love and joy.

They cannot easily enter names into the computer because internet is not easily accessed and is not strong. So they work hard at filling out their family history booklets. The stake presidency then travels from house to house collecting the books and drops them off at the family history center where the family history president and staff enter in the names on family search for them. It takes about 2+ minutes to load just one page. Can you imagine?? If it takes more than 2 seconds to load a page on my handheld PHONE I practically can't stand it. 

I don't want to complain ever. I can not only walk to church, but I can walk 7 minutes to the Salt Lake City temple. Everything is at my fingertips. I am abundantly blessed. These people are also very blessed--not necessarily materially but spiritually and with the Gospel. I have recommitted myself to God, to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to my family and neighbors. 

3 Nephi 6:14 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.

^^Collin at the church's booth for Indexing at Draper Days. Sorry your eyes were closed. 

Trying to stay in the shade. It has been SO HOT. 

Goodbye party for David and Amelia. I am seriously so sad. Im going to miss them so much. SO MUCH MORE excited for them though. David is going to medical school!!!!!!

Mckay and Ella

Hat and Zola Wallace had the best time playing together. It was awesome!

And Freddie, Eli and Liam were the 3 amigos. 

Ella and Aimee. I love Mia's sisters and brother and family so much. Love them. Love talking to them and listening to them talk to each other. 

Playing on the Capitol lawn. Movie night!

Can you spot Hattie? Her favorite Hong-being outside and playing in the dirt. 

Observing all the different types of grass around us. Day-riverside branch library Eco garden. That day listened to a song, "laying under a shady tree, you and me," and we memorized it. We love it. Ella loves looking up at the trees too. 

My fam. We are so close. 

Seeing Shakespear's As You Like It. It was so good and fun and Freddie LOVED it. 

^^"I can hear the ocean."

Observing the bees on the roof of the Salt Lake City Main library, followed by playing in the fountain and a little Pokemon Go. 

Walking to church today. 

Hattie got her own shoes on...below. Hehe. Honestly I was just so happy she listens and gets her shoes on when I ask. What a good girl!!

Mothers lounge! We both are sleepin in here.