Monday, September 11 to Sunday, September 17, 2017

Monday, September 11, 2017

We had our weekly meeting at the President’s home. He was hosting a luncheon for two companionships that baptized every week this past month: Elders Simpson/Najera and Elders Rienoso/Galo. After our meeting (we didn't stay for lunch) we went to the store, then home for lunch. After lunch Sister Bell worked on a power point for the next multizone, while I went to the office to pick up supplies for Leon, Chinandega and Chin Oeste zones. We volunteered to take materials to them tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

We left at 7am for Leon, arriving about 8:30am. We took rice krispee treats with us, which the missionaries loved. We then went to Chinandega and then to El Viejo to visit the other two zones. On the way, we listened to episodes of the Joseph Smith Papers on the Mormon Channel. These have been very interesting and informative. We have learned a lot about the early activities of the Church and especially about the Prophet Joseph Smith. Our testimonies have increased as we learned more about the things he did and the problems he faced.

On our way home, we got a call from one of our missionaries. He continues to have health problems, so with permission from Hermana Poncio, we sent him to the hospital. We stopped by the hospital on our way back home. He was just beginning to have tests. He will call us when he knows for sure what is wrong with him. But he is pretty sure it started by eating bad tacos last week.

We took the Helbergs to Asado Al Patio for a Gator but they were closed. I was really sad, until we saw a sign that said that they are moving, not closing. I was happy about that as we love the Gator, which is a choice Top Sirlion, cooked over an outdoor barbecue. So we went to another steak house. But as we walked in they had a large leg of pig sitting in front. It grossed Sister Bell out. The prices were also really expensive, so we left. We then tried a Peruvian restaurant that President Collado took us to when we first arrived. They were open so we stayed. It was delicious. We will probably have to go back there. We really loved the fresh fruit drinks. I had a passion fruit drink and Sister Bell had a dragon fruit drink. Both were delicious. 

After we got back to the house and we were beginning to relax, the spirit kept nudging me to go to the hospital. I finally got up, got dressed and went to the hospital. Sister Bell stayed home. The missionaries were still in the Emergency Room. The doctors had diagnosed the problem and was giving him IV antibiotics. But it is severe enough that the doctor wanted him to stay in the hospital for a few days receiving IV antibiotics. So he was checked into the hospital. I was glad I was there to help with that process, to give them support and to give money to his companion for food.  I got home at 12:30am. Sister Bell was sound asleep.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

I earned my chauffer license today. We left the house, stopping at the pharmacy to get some medicine for one of our sister missionaries. We then drove to her house, which is by Villa Flor. Sister Bell checked her out and gave her the medicine. We then drove home for lunch and to take clothes off the line. We then drove to the hospital. Our Elder is improving and may be released tomorrow. While Sister Bell stayed with him, I took his companion to their house to get some clothes and other things to make their stay at the hospital a bit more enjoyable. While there, I checked for bedbugs (we had changed the mattresses about 3 weeks ago because they had bed bugs). We found some, not a lot but enough to be concerned (1 is concerning). We stripped the beds of the linen and took them to the lady who washes their clothes. Then we went back to the hospital. After that we went to the office. After working in the office for about an hour, we headed for home. The traffic was terrible (tomorrow is the beginning of a 4-day holiday – Independence Day) so we decided to take the long way home, through Tipitapa. That was a mistake as a one-hour commute ended up being two hours. We had to stop by the hospital to give more food money to the missionaries. Even though we passed the hospital the way we went, it still wasn’t worth the extra time and mileage. I think my late night last night is catching up to me.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

A half day of running around turned into a full day. We first went to the office so Sister Bell could check on a missionary, who was at the office. We worked a little there while we were waiting for a phone call from the Elders in the hospital. He finally called about 11am, telling us he was being released. So we immediately headed for the hospital, thinking he was dressed and all the paper work was ready so he could leave. We had Elder Adams, the financial Secretary go up as well so he could pay for the mission’s share of the room bill. When we arrived, we found him still in bed with an IV still giving him fluids. President, Hermana and Jocelyn Poncio were there visiting. So we waited, and waited and waited (and played a few games). Finally about 1:30, everything was ready for him to leave.

We went to Pricesmart for lunch and to pick up a few items. The companion of our sick missionary had not eaten, nor had we. We had lunch and bought our items. We then dropped the things off at the house before going to the Elder’s house. We stopped at MaxiPali so the Elders could buy food. We finally dropped them off at their house about 4pm and headed for home. We are glad we are here to help the missionaries. Every time we can help them a little, is good. They appreciate it and we are sure Heavenly Father does as well.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Today was a kick back day. Sister Bell didn’t leave the house all day. I left for only a few minutes to get a watermelon for this week-end. We needed a day of rest and relaxation, our P-Day.

We invited the Helbergs over for dinner so we could finalize our turtle excursion. It is always fun to have them over. We had cheese raviolis (from a bag) and a salad. Nothing fancy and very easy to prepare.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

We passed by the office on our way out of town to get a rent check for the Koellikers. Then we dropped some medicine off to the sisters in Sebaco on our way to Trinidad. Sister Bell taught Maria Clara a piano lesson. Then we taught a family relations class to Yasser and Marilyn. We felt good about the lesson and we hope it helps them. We gave them 4 challenges: 1) pray together each day, 2) read the Book of Mormon together each day, 3) Yasser is to call and keep his wife informed of where he is and 4) use the Proclamation of the Family to identify 1 thing each can do this week to show their spouse how much they care.

We attended the District Conference: Priesthood and adult meetings. Sister Bell played the piano for the adult meeting. She also played for a choir that sang during the meeting. She didn’t have an opportunity to practice with them before they sang. But it sounded good.

President Cruz from Trinidad talked in the adult session. He talked about Family Home Evenings. President Poncio also talked about 5 things that would strengthen families, 1) prayer, 2) read scriptures, 3) FHE, 4) Pay tithes and offerings and 5) attend the temple. We were really glad that Yasser and Marilyn were there as his messaged reinforced what we taught them earlier in the day.

Then we attended a baptism in the Centro Branch. A long and satisfying day. 

Sunday, September 17, 2017

We had district conference. It was held at the auditorium of a local University. There were about 400 in attendance, which is a little lower than who attended the last district conference. The difference is that we had seating for everyone in one room. Last time we held it in the church with overflow in some of the rooms. The audio/video feeds into the other rooms didn’t work well so many left. It was nice to have it all in one room.

It was wonderful to see so many members and missionaries that we love. They were happy to see us as well. Somoto/Pueblo Nuevo had over 60 people attend, which is amazing. Sister Bell played the piano for the choir and the congregational hymns. She said that they changed several of the hymns at the last minute. It was a good thing she is proficient enough to play the hymns without practice. The choir sang 4 or 5 songs, some of which were prelude songs. Sister Bell had not practiced with them before, but it turned out fine. It was interesting to watch her adjust to the choir. They tended to change tempo a lot or cut notes in half or hold them longer than normal. But Sister Bell adjusted just fine and the songs turned out beautiful…. Well at least as beautiful as 10 people singing off key can sing. The piano helped them a lot. Nicaraguans are not known for their singing abilities. 

The Koellikers hosted a luncheon afterward for us, the Poncios, Roger Perez (2^nd Counselor in the Mission Presidency), the zone leaders and Elder Mediero. It was delicious as always. We bought a watermelon on Friday, but when we cut it open, it was total mush. It was also full of seeds. We were told it was a seedless watermelon. I am going to stay away from that fruit stand.