June 20, 2010

We have had a wonderful week with challenges mixed in to keep the
sweet ever more sweet. The news from home the first of the week was
indeed joyful. Tiffany had a beautiful baby boy in the early hours of
Monday morning. Seth is indeed a "proud papa". Kasen Krew joins
three sisters who can't wait to help tend him. This event brings back
the poignant memories of eight born to us and the unforgettable
feeling of the miracle of birth and the partnership we share with our
Heavenly Father as we become parents. We are so grateful for family
on this Father's day, for our fathers, for each of our children, for
each father in our family be they sons or sons-in-law. We have
mentioned before the lack of those who accept this wonderful but
challenging responsibility here in the Caribbean. There are those who
do and it is obvious that the family is the basic unit in our Father's
plan which brings happiness, joy and peace.

We had a an unforgettable experience yesterday. We got up at 5:30
a.m. and with Sister Ellison, who serves with us in the Mission
office, drove to a small village at the foot of the mountains to meet
a family who would take us on a hike in the Trinidad wilderness.
Sister Ellison had been there before and had arranged for this
opportunity for us. Pearl Ramdeholl is the mother of 14 and is a
member of the Curepe ward. Her adult children, David, Kathy and Jenny
and her daughter Desiree, met us at their mothers home and we began
our hike. It was a steep road for awhile and then we left the narrow
paved road and began our trip into the bush. Jenny was so
enthusiastic about sharing their culture and the beauty of her country
with us. We sampled every nut and every fruit along the way. We came
back with five kinds of mangoes, cashews, coco beans, a whisk Kathy
made from a coco branch for making soups and sauces. We learned about
all the different insects and animals and birds. They were so kind to
us and made sure that we were safe. As we reached high on the
mountain, the view of their village was beautiful. As we arrived
back in their village, it was alive with activity as they were
preparing to celebrate Labor Day. Part of the celebration was a curry
duck cook-off, like our chili cook-offs. It was a little after 10 in
the morning and the aroma from their efforts was delightful. They
took us along a small river where they go to swim, which they call
bathe, and it did have several good ponds as we climbed along the
river. They had built a dam at the top and had a pipe that came down
from there and brought this water to the village to drink. As we
arrived back at Pearl's home, she had made us a clear broth with a
small ear of corn in each bowl. It was comfort food and was much
appreciated. It was one of those experiences that only happens if you
are willing to become a part of the culture. Pearl has always
searched for a Church that taught the whole truth. She has joined
many. She has now been a member of the true Church for 12 years. Her
children have been skeptical because of her history and have not been
interested in hearing the "Good News" as of yet. Today the thought
has come to express our gratitude for their kindness and hospitality
by telling them thank you and sharing with them a message that we feel
much like they do about their homeland and heritage. That we have
something so good and will bring them joy and happiness and safety as
they return to our Father. They are a choice family... to be
continued.

We loved our Sunday School lesson today about David and Saul. Saul
became envious of David and David "behaved himself wisely". Our
choices are so important starting with what we choose to think. We
listen often to the Mormon Channel and are so grateful for the
abundance of good to choose from. We love you all so much and hope
this day finds you happy.