some thoughts on courage

When you live in the mission field you see and hear all sorts of new things. Some funny and interesting, some terrible and heartbreaking. Yesterday I heard an older sister in the Church here say in refrence to her conversion many years ago, "My husband say I leave you if you get baptized." She didn't say how the story turned out, whether her husband left her or not, but she was baptized, she remains a faithful Christian, raised several faithful children and has faithful grand children now. I don't know anything about the husband....if he was ever converted. But this I know- she had courage.

Do we have that same kind of courage? Would we risk our husband leaving us to obey the gospel? Do we have the courage to stand up for what is right? What about such issues as modesty, purity, discretion, and faithfulness?
Not every courageous act is as heroic sounding as this woman standing up to her husband. Sometimes it is simply standing for the truth as a family; with the knowledge and experience of being alone sometimes. Perhaps its modesty- and not only modest apparel, but modest words and actions.

I'm thinking as I type this out, "Why do we always get on these modesty and propriety speeches?! Let's learn this lesson, girls, let's learn it!!" But then I must remind myself that Satan is out there, he's got the world and he's after us! (to quote Br. Harrub from fb) We've got to be courageous, we've got to stand for the right, because the world will not, and God is depending on us to do the job.

There are times that I'm brought to tears when I see and hear what the brethren do here to be Christians. And I'm both inspired and encouraged to do better, and shamed and rebuked in my failings. I know I can do better; I know we all can.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that in me you may have peace; In the world ye have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Yesterday was Mom's birthday.....I love doing birthdays! It's been fun finding new things to do here in Trinidad- It's been good for us to stretch our minds and find new things....but don't worry, there was still lots of singing and no work for Mom and more singing, and the birthday variations on the piano, and more singing....:) So I baked her a cake, we played a game together and generally had a wonderful time together!

I'm very thankful for my Mom. :) She's a wonderful woman and I'm honored to have her in my life. If you live by your mother go hug her or call her or something! :)

Two Little Girls

I had two funny and neat conversations last week with two little girls. They are both around 10 years of age, from the same congregation and have spent enough time with me to be comfortable enough to talk to me! I can understand their shyness...what would you do if you weren't used to seeing white people except on TV and a whole bunch of them came and were there and...*gasp* talked to you!!! I love talking to the children here- their big brown eyes, peering over their little brown hands, covering their mouths in a gesture of bashfulness....their whispered name and age...:)

Ok, the first conversation was with Precious. Precious is a popular name for girls here! I think it's precious! Teehee...;)

We were sitting on a bed chatting and she was admiring and touching my curly hair.

Precious: "Your hair so pretty! It so soft and curly!"

Me: "Thank you, Precious! I think your hair is pretty too! I like your cane rows!"

Precious: *blush and plays with barrets on her plats*

Second conversation is with Sharice, a few minutes later. (she didn't hear the previous conversation)

Sharice: "When de las time you go to de beauty shoppe?!"

Me: "Oh, I just do my hair myself!"

Sharice: "Oh! You need to go real bad! Your hair lookin real shabby!"

Me: "Well, I kinda like it this way!"

Sharice: "It need plated- maybe even a wig!"

Me: *bursting with laughter inside* Oh really?! Well, I don't know! I think I'll just keep it this way!"

Isn't it funny, how the way you are raised influences your thinking? I smile at these girls...they're cute, they have a fresh perspective and they're funny. :) And they have beautiful little heads of black hair in cane rows and plates with little colorful barrets. <3