Back To Work & Their Long Flight

We did not make it out on our morning walk today because of getting to bed so late last night. It is surprising to look how much we were able to wedge into the time that Brenda and Marla were here. Still we almost felt a little guilty for taking the time off, but we were reminded even the General Authorities and Area Presidencies take a little time off.

Usually by the 7th of the month we already have a really good idea how the previous month went for the Perpetual Education Fund payments, disbursements and incentives. Today we had no idea at all until we pulled the reports and got them on to the Excel spreadsheet. Overall it turned out to be a good month, probably because there were not any week long holidays last month. There are no holidays in July and August so we can hope for even better for those months as well.

We had Skype calls scheduled with the Self-Reliance Missionary Couple in Thailand and Sister Roberts in Hong Kong. We enjoy those Skype calls so much and we always learn something new to share with others that we work with. Even though all of the countries are in Asia each have their own unique problems and issues that they face. Elder & Sister Ricks in Thailand told us today that the Priesthood Leaders have asked them for help in teaching budgeting. Most of the people live hand to mouth and even a little hiccup puts them over the edge.

We also had to spend time today working on our Institute lesson for Saturday. We try to spend enough time so that we are prepared enough that the spirit can work though us to give them the message which they need. That is always so important, the minute that we think that we are such great teachers then we will lose the class. It is so very humbling to work with those who attend every week.

One of our Institute Class members came in today because she is working on her application to attend BYU-Hawaii. There are a number who are trying hard to be accepted to attend there, it will be interesting to see who really goes.

Brenda and Marla are now more than half way home. Their first flight to Shanghai China was about four hours, but then they had a six hour lay over. We FaceTimed with them this morning and they told us how tired they were already. The second leg was a fourteen hour flight to Chicago and then another six hour wait in the airport and finally the last flight of three more hours home.