Flakes Around the World

Nigerian Cattle grazing on fresh trash. Melissa hagling over some pineapples with the locals. And me looking like a retard in our high security compound pool

I went with Joel and Ryan to the girl's home today to drop off the bedcovers and towels that we bought for them. As usual the baby was a hit, and Joel was too. These girls must miss having younger siblings around.

We walked outside with the baby, and every single person who walked by stared until they couldn't anymore. You can see that in the 2nd and 4th photos (the guy next to the car is our driver, so he isn't staring). Whenever we leave Delhi for a place that isn't frequented by tourists or foreigners, we are like the biggest freak show! They are so blatant about it. Even in the car at stoplights, people on scooters leer into the windows to stare. Maybe I'll miss being famous when I am back in the States and just a regular person again, but I doubt it.

One of the girls left for a special boarding school for girls who are athletically gifted, so a new girl was there. Her name is Salma, and she might be the cutest girl I've seen here yet. She is the girl it the last photo. I think she could be a future Miss India.

We tried to call you just now but couldn't get a dial tone in India. Wow - those pictures and that article are amazing. We are sure they will publish it - maybe in the Church News - definitely in the Liahona and Ensign. India is a happening place now. I (Jana) wept while I read the article. I hope all of you read it to your children. Amber, I just got a call from Lorin. His daughter Julia is getting married on Dec. 20 and she wants your email and phone number to ask you to take pictures. The wedding is 9:00 in Logan and that night in the Joseph Smith Building in Salt Lake they are having a dinner (which we are invited to). I told Lorin that you get in late on the 19th and I was sure the thing in Logan would not be possible but they could ask you for the evening thing. I just want to give you a heads up on that. Going to Logan for a 9:00 wedding is ridiculous. I am not even going myself and they have come from Vernal for all of our stuff so I feel like I should but going all that way in the middle of the winter - and you will be at our home - is not happening. Thanks again for the amazing blog.

We had this project about 2 weeks ago, but I didn't bring my camera, so here are some pictures from Brother McIllece, the YM president. The first shows our Suburban... we had 18 people crammed into it. Then you see some of our YW sanding the walls. It was a very messy job. Then the painting. Then me with our 20 year old YW president, and our YM president's driver, who is also a member. Last picture shows all the Mutual kids and a few of the 32 children of the home. It took 22 youth and 4 adults about 4 hours to sand, paint and clean up 3 rooms in the home. It turned out so well, that the mutual kids in the other branch wanted to know why they don't get to do service projects like that! We told their branch president that we'll fund it if they will round up the labor.




Brother McIllece wrote the following for submission in the Liahona (which is what everyone here gets, even the English speakers).

New Delhi Youth Make Service Look “Pretty in Pink”

…When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your
God… Mosiah 2:17

With these words of the prophet-king Benjamin in their hearts the young men and young
women of the New Delhi 2nd Branch recently joined together to meet the needs of
orphans in India. Organized by Branch President and Sister Flake of the New Delhi 2nd
Branch, over twenty youth joined together to help the Saikripa Orphanage in the nearby
city of Noida prepare for a truly momentous event – a wedding! “Aunty Anjina” as she
is lovingly called, has taken in the fatherless and motherless for decades, giving them a
home, food, and precious love that they would not find on the streets. That alone is cause
to celebrate – but two of their own girls, now adults, are both returning to be married in
the very orphanage where they were raised! With such joyous events coming soon, the
orphanage needed to be beautified and made ready.

…I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to
that which he hath… Mosiah 4:26

The youth of the 2nd Branch were ready to meet the need. First there was sanding and
cleaning to be done to prepare the walls of the girls’ level for the pretty pink paint that
Aunty had picked out for them. After sweeping up all the paint dust, removing cobwebs,
and arranging and covering the beds and belongings, the youth got down to business
painting. The heat, humidity, and cramped spaces made the task far from pleasant, but
you wouldn’t know it from the smiles and happy talk that filled the three small rooms.

Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind… D&C 64:34

After several hours of painting, cleaning, and more sweeping, the once gloomy rooms
were transformed. This humble space was brighter, cleaner, and more inviting.
Although they wouldn’t see the reactions firsthand, it was easy for the youth to imagine
the smiles and laughter of surprised and delighted little girls. It was also exciting to
visualize the wonderful wedding ceremonies that would take place, alive with color,
music, and happiness.

…But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That
thine alms may be in secret… Matthew 6:3-4

Surrounded by so many people living in terrible poverty, it may be difficult to think that a
day spent painting three rooms makes any difference. But for those who were there and
felt the spirit of this service, it was clear that it made a world of difference. After
completing their work, despite the heat, fatigue, and crowded conditions, the youth of the
Delhi 2nd Branch spent the long drive home singing hymns and primary songs!

Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.
And out of small things proceedeth that which is great … D&C 64:33

I want to share a few things with all of you from our wonderful Stake Conference with Elder Bednar. The first one is for SPENCER, HYRUM AND MCKAY. One of the youth in our Stake asks Elder Bednar how they can resist all the evil in the world. He gave a profound answer. He said there is a line drawn - a line of demarcation. One side is the Lord's side and the other is Satan's. He turned toward his left side and said - "The deeper we get into the Lord's side, the less Satan has any power over us." He walked further away from the pulpit facing left. He said, as we attend church, read scriptures, pray, obey, we get deeper and deeper into to God's side. Satan has no power over us. Then he asked "What makes us turn around the look toward Satan's side? A young girl sitting behind me said, "Not doing those things." Absolutely right. Then he started to turn around and look toward the right. By not praying, not studying the scriptures, we loose the help of the Holy Ghost and move closer to the center. The closer we get, the less protection we have, the more we are tempted and by doing just a few things that are wrong, we move into Satan's territory. He promised the youth they would be "warned ahead of time of evil so they could avoid it." It's only safe, deep in God's territory- zone of safety. He also said, "I believe that the spirits that are here today are here because they have a greater capacity to be obedient."

When asked, "What are the prayers of the first presidency and quorum of the twelve like in the temple, he said, "The are simple, focused, intense and childlike."

When we read the scriptures we need to pray before we read and ask specifically for help from the Holy Ghost to have our questions answered. Write down the questions you are concerned about before you read and pray for them to be answered - then read.

Alma 23:6 "You can have a testimony and fall away. But if we are converted, we will never fall away.

Read Sec 93:24 Satan wants to destroy the family because we see things as they really are at home. Our spouse and children know what we really are. Plead with God in our personal prayers to put off the natural man and help me stop doing something. If we hurry through our prayers we don't get rebuked. Section 93:50 Be more diligent and concerned at home.

Elder Jones who came along with him said that last year there was 16% growth in the international church, 1% growth in domestic church and 0% growth in Utah South Area.
He also said there have been three years in the history of the US that there has been 0% savings" 1939, 2005, 2006 President Hinckley is VERY concerned about out debt/ He said cut off your children's allowance. There is no money tree. Teach them to work for what they get and how to manage money. Love Mom

Teaching can be a thankless calling especially when you are dealing with the youth. It seems like glazed- over looks, hunched posture, and yawns that are meant to expressly portray boredom can all be the order of the day. Often the lessons you put the most time and prayer into seem to go the worst. I have learned you cannot force the Spirit. The teacher and the learner must both be prepared and they both can be edified and rejoice together. Getting that dynamic to happen can be illusive, and so it has not been uncommon to hear me lament my sense of failure as a teacher to my young women. Sunday something happened that helped me to see that perhaps I was getting through. Amber is one of my Laurels who is always quick with a sarcastic remark, a inappropriate giggle during a serious discussion, or just a rude comment. I have really prayed that I could love her. Her life has been a hard one and so it is not hard to feel compassion for her, but I just have felt a stone wall with her when dealing with spirituality. We had had a lesson on Honesty recently. Last Sunday we were having a lesson on the Law of Chastity and I was happy with the participation I was getting. As I ended the lesson, Amber raised her hand and said, “Sister Grow, I heard your voice this week.” Perplexed, I asked her what she meant. She said, “ I heard your voice this week when I was taking a make-up test in the hall at school. Some other kids were taking the same test and were cheating and sharing answers. I heard you voice tell me that was dishonest and that I should turn the test to a different section so that I wouldn’t also be cheating.” It was a neat moment since she was completely serious. The whole class spontaneously burst into applause. I couldn’t help but weep with joy at the evidence of some spiritual strength germinating in this young woman. All of the rejection and frustration she had caused me were banished from my memory and replaced with hope that she is reachable. It was a sweet experience.

Oliver, we are down with babysitting if you need us to, no problem. Can we watch a critcket match while we are there? Also we would like to go bathe in the ganges:) We are excited!

Lincoln, Moema is so excited to see england - we wants to go to the lake distict if possible.

amber, I had the weiredst dream that you weighed like 1000 lbs, weird!

I think dad took his colecction of vidieo's of me playing tennis, and blogged the one that made me look the very worst. I mean every shot was a chip, in that point, and that might have been the worst servse I'v ever done in my life. Mabey he dosen't want to reveal my true skill until grandpa plays me this wendsday it's my last mach and I'll send a few 'exiting' videos, oh and by the way we won that match in super tie break 10-8 no lie.
spencer

A

Labels: We don't have elephants but we do have the elephant boy

Allyson - we are excited to have you come - good news you will be able to watch our kids for 2 days while Amber and I go to Jordan to visit Petra - dont worry we will take the baby.

Oliver

So India and Europe here we come! Oliver, we hope you and Amber were serious about us coming we are going to be there two weeks! WE arrive the 27th of April at 8:30 PM and leave on the 12th of May in the morning! Is that too long?

Lincoln we will be at your from the 12th of May until June 2nd! Sorry for being such moochers but we are so excited!!!!

Don't worry about entertaining us...I am excited for you both to meet my awesome husband.

P.S. Amber, I had a crazy dream about you the other night - it was so real, in it you guys came to visit us and you weighed like 400 lbs! It was freaky!

Ally

 
 
 
 

We went apple picking at a 90 year-old woman's home today. Her name is Goldie and I visit teach her. Her non-member son takes care of her and he invited us over to pick apples. We went a little crazy taking pictures. The kids sang "Families Can Be Together" forever to Goldie and her son was there. So it was a nice missionary opportunity too. Justin and Jaron have been busy cutting (and Jaron smashing the apples with a gyoza maker) to make dried apples and apple juice. I love this time of year. The elephant pictures are great, keep them coming. Jaron particularly likes seeing his buddy Jared on a huge elephant.

Mckay's baseball stats

Sept 8 At bat 3 Hits 2 (single, Triple (RBI) and walk) Win 8-4

Sept 14 At bat 2 Hits 0 - (ground out, and walk) Loss 0-14

Sept 21 At bat 2 Hits 0 (ground out and walk) I inning pitched 3 walks, 1 K and 1 ER Loss 0-6

We've posted so many pictures of the kids on elephants, that it must seem like that is all we do with them.... come to think of it, that might be true. But here they are anyway.

Oliver,

I need to talk to you fast. Are you at work or what??

Levin

Jalayne, Setting and achieving goals. If you could talk about your mission and education , that would be good for our young women. They all get locked into arranged marriages and have no life - also talk about motherhood. David can talk about his experiences in the wild and then living in the zoo and ending up in a happy marriage - its a great story of overcoming challenges and not letting the paticular species you were born into or physical challenges overcome you. Alternatively, he can talk about good sportsmanship or editorial ethics - his choice.

Oliver

You are very funny. Really, what is our topic?

Jalayne - your topic is "how I benefited from the influence of a rightous older brother" you can relate your experiences to those of folks in the scriptures. Thanks for agreeing to do this.

Oliver

Lincoln you may be right but she is our special BB Thortan. Dad - I feel your pain in loosing a great counselor. I have 2 super Indian counselors and I now feel that when I go away on vacations things actually run smoother without me. We are planning a big youth fireside next month but no John Bytheway for us - the guests speakers are Jalayne and David. Not to put pressure on you Jalayne but the other couple that we also asked to give a brief talk lost their jobs and lived off of their food storage because they went to the temple in Hong Kong so you better have some sweet experiences to top that.

oliver

I had my clerk take this on Sunday. I'm having to replace the counselor on my right, Shayne Gallagher, who is moving. He's been with me for over two years - almost from the beginning. Our ward sponsored a little youth fireside last night to which we invited the rest of the stake youth and their parents. It featured John Bytheway and "Jericho Road". Over 500 showed up. It was a huge success! I'm am now officially a Bytheway groupee. Actually, he did a great job as did Ab Mills and his group. I had our youth do everything - conduct, introduce, pray, lead the music and play the organ. They did a wonderful job in front of this huge gathering. Ain't it fun, Oliver?

Spencer,

I want to hear bout your tennis! Moema and I are obbessed with tennis and play every single night, I am getting quite good, talk you rich dad into letting you come out here for Christmas and we will have a party!!!!!

Mellisa,
Awesome blog. MOre photos! I am still trying to get ahold of the Matsoso's but the time difference makes it difficult, I will call you tonight.

ally

Yes, Natalya has chopped off her hair for the third time. This time I wasn't home when it happened, so I feel only partially responsible. I thought I had put up the scissors, but we sent the boys out on a scissors bounty hunt, and they found 9 pairs in drawers around the house. I bought a million pairs of kid's scissors before we came... big mistake. Now they are all under lock and key, but I wouldn't put it past Natalya to somehow get at them. The pictures don't really show how bad it is. It is cut to the scalp all over the place. I didn't realize how much worse it could be from the first time.

It was great to hear about JaLayne's trip. She really has chosen two vacations at opposite ends of the spectrum.... clean air, beautiful beaches, rainforests, exclusive resorts, waterfalls, luaus, .....then to India....... ancient tombs and forts, unbelievable culture shock, heat, spicy food, crazy markets. I hope she likes India after what looks like a wonderful relaxing trip to Hawaii. We will try hard to undo all of the relaxation. I am 100 percent sure that we will succeed.

I have gone so native! I don't think I will wear western clothes to church in India ever again. The Indian clothes are just so much more comfortable. The salwar suits (loose fitting pants with a long tunic blouse over the top) are just like wearing your pajamas to church. I have a beautiful sari that I tried to put on, with great effort, the other day. I walked out to show my housekeeper, and she actually laughed! I guess I need to practice more. My goal is to be able to wear it to church by the time JaLayne comes! I'll keep working at it. It's harder to wear Indian clothes everyday, but I have been doing it more and more often. I'll never give up western clothes for everyday here, but lots of people do! I have 5 Indian outfits, and I think I'm going to get so many more, since they only cost like 10 bucks for a custom made outfit.

Melissa, doesn't it stink to have to be sort of careful about the food you eat? Eggs here are a little weird too. They are NEVER refrigerated, and often have yucky poopy substances on them. We get most of ours from the commissary, who get them from a special farm where they wash the eggs and properly care for the birds. When we get sick from food, sometimes its hard to know what exactly it was that made us sick!

I have been doing all of my own vegetable and fruit shopping, but I do it all at the embassy green grocer, so I'm not going out to the big food market too often. It is quite an experience. I've had people who have been all over the world (ag people who go to the markets as part of their official business) say that our big market in Delhi is one of the grossest they have seen. It has a huge butchering section where chicken blood runs beneath your feet, and the smell of dead meat, including fish, is all around. The stalls are a labyrinth of human flesh, and imported products that sell for 5 to 10 times their price at home. It is incredible. I haven't been there for several months, but I hear they have great clothes in a part of the market I haven't been to, so maybe I'll check it out again when JaLayne comes. Maybe I'll even drive us there! The shopping here is really such a unique experience. Probably similar in some ways to Nigeria, though. I hope that Melissa and Levin come over so we can hear the comparisons!

I loved the birthday cake picture. At least Levin tried. Melissa, I love reading about your lives there in Nigeria. Thanks for taking the time to give details! David is out of town all of this week so I will be lonely. JaL

I had a wonderful time babysitting David and JaLayne's children. I really like taking care of my grandchildren when their parents aren't there. I can dedicate all my time and efforts to them and really get to know them. Melissa, I loved your description of the electrical problems in church and Wow - that birthday cake was impressive. I like the dress - African. Amber, send us a picture of Natalya's latest haircut so we can all see what a child can do to themselves. She has a sixth sense for scissors. JaLayne and David's pictures of Hawaii make me want to go - but now I have seen the pictures, maybe I don't need to. That's why we won't let people see India in pictures - you have to see it in reality. It's good to be home. Love Mom

Levin got back from Abuja and found out that Nigeria is a great country to be assigned to! You get a big fat 15% bonus at the end of your first year, just for making it! That was such great news that we decided we are going to try and go to South Africa for Christmas. We are trying to book lodges now so that we can go on a Safari. Nothing is finalized yet because it's a very popular times for South AFricans to go on vacation, it's their summer and Holiday's all at once. And Nigerians have Boxing Day off - the day after Christmas so therefore so does Levin! I love getting two countries' holidays off. It is fantastic. I think in October we have 2 three-day weekends, one for us and one for Nigeria. Also we found out that in Nigeria you get an extra RR. So we get 3 in 3 years instead of 2 like those suckers in India. (Levin inserted that last line :-)) Actually we will probably use that extra RR to fund our trip to India!

Church was good today it is always a treat to find what happens electrically. Each sunday they have one of three choices. either to power up the fans so it is not hot as heck in Sacrament meeting, power up the lights so we can see the speaker, or power up the microphone so we can hear the speaker. TOday they chose microphone . . . it worked for the first two talks. The last talk was great, but I had a hard time staying awake. I blame it on the lack of sounds of the fans sounding like a helicopter and the heat. There were more Americans there today. There is a teacher at the American school - she had a wedding ring on, but I think it is only to chase away Nigerian suitors because it doesn't sound like she is married.

Yesterday we had a shopping extravaganza! This time we decided to stock up on flour, etc. because you never know what the Commissary will have. This time we did go nuts! We went to Lekki market - the outdoor market and we bought two big baskets - we paid less a third of their initial offering. We got an awesome tablecloth that is kind of tie died with elephants on it . The secret surprise was when we opened it up and realized there were napkins in with it. I got a necklace and earings super cheap, but the earings are too heavy and pull my earlobes down so I only wore them for two minutes today. Don't worry it wasn't anything crazy! Then Levin has been dying for me to get an African dress. Well, the ones that are actually pretty require a tailor and I haven't found one yet . . . the one at church I haven't been able to talk to and another one that goes to the Consulate is waiting for more women to justify her trip there. SO . . . I got one at the market. It's large because they are one size fits all, but fun and also we did good bartaring. Well this is getting boring . . . Also Levin bought an avacado at the market and made some sweet guacomole. IT was SOO good.

Monday Levin made me a nice cake . . . the powdered sugar had some humidity problems and we don't have a mixer yet so . . . well you can see the picture below. But it tasted awesome.

Thursday my friend Pe from Ivory Coast took me with her to pick up a package from Abuja - to the mainland where we're not supposed to go. It was at a bus station. The bus station had a sign saying do to security no passenger is allowed to board with more than 1000 Naira in cash. Well, that is about $8. It was fun and I love her driver because he was born and raised in Lagos and has fun things to say to me and he's also the size of an NFL player so I feel safe with both of them. THere was also a company advertising helping you to get into Canada. It said, "Canada wants people!" Somehow I don't know if they really want Nigerians, but whatever. Apparently JC Penney won't even let you shop on their internet website from Nigeria and Levin is probably going to have to go pay cash for our South AFrican airplane tickets. Because of the Naira $ exchange it will be like taking a suitcase of cash over. I can't wait!!

Oh, when I told Levin where I'd gone with Pe I got in trouble and told, "don't go anywhere with Africans. They aren't scared enough." Good point! BUt, I am so sad because she was going to take me to China Town on Thursday. Rats!!

Friday night we went out with her and her husband to "dinner and to hear music." Well the pick up time kept getting pushed back and what do you know . . they came at 8:30 and it was just a bar we went to. And right when we walked in the power was off and it looked like we were entering an abandoned warehouse! But they had crazy African music playing and people getting wasted. Well . . .we're sipping orange soda Fanta while they drink beer. The bartender probably hated us! There was a big Rugby game on so the bar was less crowded than normal. We saw South Africa thrash England - congrats Moema! THe side of the bar was lined with Nigerian call girls. Anyway, it was okay, but we will have to be more proactive to fill our social calendar with non-bar activities.

Okay, I am taking too long and Levin is ready to eat sugar cookies. We bought frozen dough at the Commissary by accident . . .the guy had it on our bill because we asked for a price check so we had to take it. But, the advantage is we can eat the dough unlike the stuff we make ourselves because Nigerian eggs aren't safe. They are all brown here . . . . why is that? They have black chickens in AFrica or what?? Anyway - we made brownies last nigth to the neighbors game night and everyone thought they had liquor in them! Ha! That is what happens when you put Almond extract in your chocolate frosting. It was awesome! THey looked white trash on the plate because they were too hot when we took them out, but once the pudgy RSO took a bite and spread the word we were the cooking heros of the evening.


We love you all. Great pictures JaLayne and Spencer, Hyrum and Mckay need to blog their sporting exploits more!
Melissa

Levin's attempt at a brithday cake for melissa . It was actually quite good! Also our picturesque swimming pool will barbed wire fence and Melissa goes Nigerian...

Well, I went a little crazy on posting picture on the blog. I just wanted to show you how amazing Hawaii is. One piece of advice to all who are going there--MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE BIG ISLAND! It was spectacular. We loved seeing Allyson and Moema. It made the trip twice as fun having them there. They have such a great set up and are so happy there. It is like paradise where they live. We would love to give lots of advice to anyone who wants it in planning their trip. Thanks so much to Dad and Mom for the babysitting/being alone. We promised Mom that we will not ask for more babysitting within the next five years because we are burdening them so much the next couple months with Hawaii and India. This trip was so wonderful.