Week 21

 This has been a busy week but I have few pictures to show.  We four senior sisters went to a big outdoor market yesterday.  This is a picture of my roommate, Diana.  She and I love to get a spinach and cheese quesadilla each time we go.  I just love it that we are roommates.  Before I left for this mission, I was often asked if I was afraid to come here.  I once replied, "The only thing that scares me is having to live with someone."  That fear was quickly alleviated. We have become such good friends and we love to laugh.  My time here is enjoyable in great part due to having such a good friend.  


There are so many booths with lots of interesting items to look at.  



This little boy stole my heart this week.  As noted in earlier blog entries, I encounter many students walking to school while I walk in the mornings.  This little guy was walking alone.  He is the youngest child I have seen walking without an adult.  I was reminded that I walked to school alone when I was 6 years old.  Sadly, that is not a good idea in the US anymore.  But here, parents can feel comfortable letting their children walk alone or in groups with other children.  It would be a different story if the child was carrying something of value.  That would probably be stolen.  But, from what I have heard, violence toward children is unheard of.  


Diana and I were invited to dinner with a family in our ward, the Choi's.  He (can't remember his first name) works at the American Embassy.  His wife, Morgan, is a former physician assistant and stays home to care their two little girls, ages 2 and 4.  She gave each of us a signed copy of a book she has written.  We had such an enjoyable evening and loved being around little children.  



I was very busy with rents this week.  We are expecting about 30 new missionaries in the very near future.  Besides the usual number of missionaries we were expecting, Nigeria is not letting missionaries into their country at this time so many of the African missionaries who were called to go there are coming to our mission.  Our "Fleets and Flats" missionary couple have been busy finding new apartments to house them.  The process of getting leases signed and getting them set up as vendors takes some time.  I actually enjoy doing the rents now that I know better how to do it.  I feel like I am a "missionary to the missionaries" in that I help make it possible for our young missionaries and senior missionaries have a place to live with happy landlords who get paid on time. 

Other activities included Family Home Evening with the senior missionaries (twice a month), helping with a Zone Conference, helping a sister submit names for temple ordinances,  evening English Connect classes and Friday night dinner at a very nice restaurant where I ordered steak for the first time since being here (delicious!).  






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