Week 66

Oh the weather outsides delightful, so I think I'll be insightful, it's so hard to feel disdain...

 E'er it rains, e'er it rains, e'er it rains!

 How are all of you this Christmas season?! Do you have family coming? Are you going to visit family? We think we'll spend Christmas in Indonesia. Why not? I think we have plenty to keep us busy. We would love to run home for John' birthday (remember to take a picture in your Christmas Stocking, John), and Emily's anniversary, and niece, Katie's birthday... All tomorrow!!! But alas, we will just wish you all a happy, happy, day!

Monday is our preparation day. So we had the Elders and Sisters, and the Knorpps to our apartment for some District bonding time. It is easy to bond when we are all smushed into our tiny space. Some Prep. days they spend cleaning, some they spend playing "foosball", some they spend traveling close by to see the sights, and every so often they come to our apartment to watch a movie. We haven't had this new group of Elders for just a movie day, so we watched "Scrooge" the musical. Elder and I watch it every year. Last year we watched it with all the Young Singles Adults from Solo. Remember we told you that for weeks we heard "Thank you very much", and "Bah humbug" in the hallways at the buildings. These wonderful Missionaries, especially the Indonesian missionaries, loved the movie; but then, what's not to love. However, we were all laughing so hard as they are all trying to walk (it's really sort of a dancy walk) like Scrooge does at the end when they are all singing "Father Christmas". Add to that "I Hate People", and you have our great Elders and Sister singing all the time. (I told them that "I Hate People" may only be sung when we are all together)! After the movie we ate taco soup, grated cheese, bread, and olives and punch, and for dessert... Snicker Bars!!! I love to fix food for ravenous consumers. Sooooo fun!

Tuesday and Wednesday are our piano days, and that's exactly what we did with a Jebres Ward Youth singing practice thrown in. We also did some shopping for the...

2012 Young Single Adult Christmas Party that was held Thursday evening. But before we could have the party, Elder Greenway headed for Boyalali. This week he took Sister Neis and Manalu, and Elders Yim, Mendrofa, and Townsend. Elder Townsend's companion was in Jakarta getting his Kitas renewed. His name is Elder Masangcay (Masangchay or kay depending on who your around). He is from the Philippines and he went all the way to Provo to the MTC to come to Indonesia, because he had to learn Indonesian! He is amazing. He speaks English, his native language, and Indonesian. But anyway, back to the story. So Elder is in Boyalali and he drops off all the missionaries at the appropriate places, and then he meets Kowo (one of the Water Project managers) to take a look at how the people are using the recently finished water projects near Boyalali. They ran into some problems visiting with the Village Chiefs because they were all in Jakarta protesting the fact they don't get paid. So the inspection was kind of a bust, but Elder always enjoys Kowo.

The whole car-full hurried home, Elder took them to lunch at "Raja Ayam", and then he took Elder Mendrofa to the Eye Doctor! Elder Mendrofa told us he could only see clearly to about a meter in front of his face. Well, the Eye Doctor agreed wholeheartedly. He is now in the process of getting glasses. All this time I was home sewing Christmas stocking (shhhh, that's a secret), and making treats for the YSA party. Poor Elder, after the eye doctor, he dashed home to get me and the projector, then we were off to the Supomo building to have a party. We ate pizza, and watched "Princess Bride" in English with English subtitles. They did great. They missed the whole Miracle Max part... they just couldn't get it, but they loved the "nearly dead all day" stuff. The cracked up at how his head kept flopping around, it was so fun to watch them. They are a great group of young people.

Friday was DDM, and Missionary song practice, AND the Solo 1 Ward had a Relief Society Social. They had a great lesson on Service, then Sister Wati (the lady who makes Spicy Dog) taught them to make Spaghetti Bolognese. Oh my... They don't ever think about "fat" here. Everything is fried, so...

She started with about 2 cups of Blue Band (sort of a combination of Crisco and margarine). She sauteed the onions in the fat until they were soft and then she added about 3 lbs. of raw hamburger. So the fat wasn't rendered out of it by cooking it before. All the fat joined with the Blue Band. In the end it was tasty, but Sister Neis, Elder and I decided we lost another year of our lives. After Spaghetti we headed to Gospel English. We were getting ready in the classroom, when in walked Suwarti, a taxi driver we know and encouraged to come to English, with his 3 daughters and a neighbor girl ages 5 - 8. Then he walks out..... AND LEAVES TO DRIVE TAXI FOR AN HOUR!!!! He doesn't realize we aren't the English teachers for the building, nor does he realize the Elders can't teach 4 little girls without someone else around. Well, thankfully Ratmini offers to go to their class and help the girls (who only speak Indonesian), and to tell the father when he comes that he must arrange for an adult to be with them. I don't know... we might have to figure this one out....

We finished the week, tonight, with another missionary song practice. I arranged some easy renditions (just 2 part harmony) of "Oh Holy Night" and "The Drummer Boy" because they will have to sing at all 4 Ward Parties. They are sounding pretty good. Ya gotta love Christmas music! Today at Banjasari they asked if I could find an easy Christmas song for the R.S. to sing (one that is fun) that they can learn in.... ONE PRACTICE!!!!!...... in English!!!.....something short..... Oh Man! Oh well, it is the season of miracles...

We've had an exciting week, as we are sure (being so close to Christmas) you did. Please write and let us know about all your "goings" on. We miss you and love you. We were sad to miss Gramma Fern's and Grampa Roy's annual festivities. We saw a few pictures on Facebook from Adam, but would love to see more. Family is everything, and you are everything to us. Have a festive week....

With tender feelings,

Sister Mom and Elder Dad

Week 65

We whishhh you Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Pah rum pah pum pum!!!!

Well, if you are planning to have us come to your ward and do ANYTHING, we are filling up fast!Tomorrow we are showing the Devotional to the Missionaries and having Taco Soup, Thursday is our YSA Christmas Movie and Pizza Making Party, Friday Solo 1 is having a Relief Society Party and Wati Kustedjo is cooking (she is the lady that was cooking when I had Rica Rica Anging (Spicy Dog), December 24this the Missionary Christmas Eve Dinner, December 25th is Jebres Ward Christmas party and Youth Choir (they are learning “This Is Christmas” Amy and Connie), December 26 is the Solo 1 Christmas Party and Elder is closely related to Santa that day, December 27 is the Banjasari Christmas Party AND TODAY THEY ASKED US TO TEACH THE WARD A WESTERN LINE DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Will we never live this down?Are we doomed to ever make fools of our aged selves? Will they delete all the pictures??!!) Add to that our Merry Adam’s (10th) and Jolly John’s (17th) birthdays, (which also happens to be Emily and Ty’s avinerssary ((that’s how we say it at our house)) (((and also happens to be niece, Katie’s birthday))) . Add Christmas, and a few other sundry dates, and there is our December Calendar.

We had an especially nice week.Added to our usual joys, we had Zone Training Meeting in Yogjakarta. That means that the Knorpps and the Greenways got to fill up their cars with wonderful full-time Elders (the Sisters were already there) and drive the 2 hours to Jogja.There isn’t much of anything that is more enjoyable than that. It is so fun to talk and laugh and learn ABOUT these fine young people.We also got to learn FROM them, and we practiced learning from the Book of Mormon with a purpose, and a desire to feel the Spirit.Elder Jameson and Elder Finland (that is what I call him because I can’t pronounce his Finnish name) are good teachers!!!Then we reloaded the cars (with the Sisters) and went to Wendy’s (YES!JOGJA HAS A WENDY’S WITH CHILI !) for lunch.We also found out that Elder Mendrofa can’t see beyond a meter in front of his face!!! And he has been riding a bike all over Solo.(We are fixing that tomorrow) What a great day!

But the most wonderful part of this week came about because one great lady had tremendous faith and courage.We have mentioned before that we were concerned because at General Conference time very few of the Sisters had a good opportunity to watch the General Relief Society portion of Conference.It is offered, but it is after 4 hours of the Saturday Sessions at the same time as the Priesthood Session, and the women here always have the children. Sooooo, they either go home and put kids down for naps, or they run around the church chasing crazy-tired kids. We were concerned about stepping on toes, but felt strongly that the women needed this opportunity to grow from the Broadcast.So we began planting seeds of thought with some of the women.One was Ratmini.She is the wonder-woman of the Jebres Ward.A few years back, she noticed that in all the pictures of the Aaronic Priesthood at work, they were in white shirts.So, she talked to all the moms and soon all the Aaronic Priesthood were wearing white shirts on Sunday. Well, after our talk, she went to the Bishop and told him about the Women’s Conference problem.He agreed to invite the women to come again.So she came to us and asked about a date.We suggested she talk to the Relief Society Pres. of the Banjasari Ward, and see if they would like to come.They agreed, with their Bishop’s support.Ratmini is a Counselor in her R.S. Presidency (along with about 6 other callings).We also suggested that when the announcement was made about the Conference showing, that the husbands be encouraged to stay at home and take care of the children. (We have been reminded that “this is not their custom”).Interestingly, the Bishops were fine with this, but some of the women exploded!Poor Ratimini, we were at the other building the day of the announcement, and she really took some hits.She, Elder, and I had some long talks.BUT! We all knew that this was the right thing to do.So the date was set, December 8th, 6:00 p.m., with a nursery provided by both ward’s Y.W.I don’t think she slept all week.Tuesday she cried, and we talked again.I reminded her that right choices are often hard choices, and not always popular choices. She asked if I would talk to the Sisters before the Broadcast, so they could understand the purpose of conference.I wondered if anyone would come.We have prayed.Well, last night the first annual Relief Society Women’s Conference Broadcast was held in the Surakarta Stake at the Jebres/Banjasari Wards Building.THERE WERE 31 INDONESIAN WOMEN IN ATTENDANCE. Thirty-one!!!!!You can’t imagine how spectacular that was, and they left their children home!!!!!!!!!!!Ratmini, wisely invited the Stake Relief Society Pres. (she was one of the Sisters we had talked to when planting the seeds) and she was so happy.Now they know it can happen.She asked me who would be invited in April for the Young Women’s Broadcast!!!That dear Ratmini!!We just cried and cried after the broadcast.What a spiritual event.What an example she is of love and courage.

Add to that a fabulous YW presentation (like annual Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation, only YW) at Solo 2 today, and Sister Tomi’s 1000 Day Event after meetings at Banjasari (in Javanese culture, when a loved one dies, you gather family and friends together every so many days for years after they die to celebrate their life.Sister Tomi died 1000 days ago), ….and it has been a lovely, spiritual week.A week of many tender mercies, and one down-right miracle.What a perfect way to spend the Christmas season.We are grateful for you and your desire to experience this Mlraclee of Christmas while thinking of others. JOYOUS!!!!

We think of you and miss you especially at this time,

Week 62 Photos #1

Here is our latest trip to Ngadirojo to see Kini and Markini. Sister Manalu, Kini, Markini, Diah, Sister Neis.

Kini's home on the left and Markini's is next door.

Inside Kini's home.

This is Kini's kitchen.

They are expanding a chicken farm and unearthed car-sized boulders during excavation. You can see that some have been rendered into more usable sizes. This is what Kini's and Markini's husbands' do for work. This is done by hand with a hammer and rock chisel.

Week 62 Photos #2

Here are some common sights on our way to Ngadirojo. This is a Javanese Christian Church in Ampel.

This Christian church is right next door to Kini's house. I do not know what GSPDI stands for. I also can't interpret the rest except Filadelfia (a sensable way to spell Philadelphia).

This is a walkway over the main street of Kartasura, just outside of Solo (Surakarta). Note the flower seller warungs underneath.

Except for a few tin roofs, roofing tiles are the material of choice for most homes and other buildings. This is a producer/seller along the road to Boyolali.

I've shown the state owned gas stations before... this time I wanted to point out the facilities offered. Under the word SOLAR you can see the international symbols for Restrooms, a Mini-mart, and Mushola (prayer room).

This is a billboard for a brand of cigarette. And yes, they are chocolate flavored! The warning at the bottom says: "Smoking can cause cancer, heart attack, impotence and interference with pregnancy and fetus(birth defects)."

Here are several loads of sugar cane on the way to the processing plant.

A truck load of Brahma bulls on the way to market, I guess. We saw several loads of cattle on this particular day.

Just working their way up hill. I'm not sure of their load, but I think it's rice.

And we see this all the time. Dad driving and Mom, side-saddle holding an infant. Many times there is another child between Mom and Dad, and a child standing in front of Dad. Also note the guy wearing the winter coat!

Week 61 Photos

There are not too many photos this week. We added two elders to our "pool" here in Solo. Elder Miner and Elder Hasibuan. I thought I give you all a peek. No Elder Miner is not standing on a box!

Sister Greenway mentioned Moko and Yessika's wedding. Obviously, I did not take pictures during the church ceremony, but I was able to document the "Civil Ceremony."

A closer shot of Moko and Yessika. No, they are not un-happy, this part is all business.

This was at the entrance to the church building. It says: "Happy Wedding - Moko and Jesika (sic) - Haryono Family - Eliza Florist (owned by the Haryono family)." See, your Indonesian is getting better!!

Week 59 Photos #1

The YSA Conference was held in the "Resort City" of Tawangmangu. It had been an orange growing area until people discovered the recreation qualities of the area including the cooler nights, the Grojogan Sewu (waterfall), and other tourist attractions.

The konferensi was held at this hotel convention facility.

The welcome banner. "Welcome Participants Remaining Unmarried Young Multi-Stake Indonesia" Now you know why we know lots of Indonesian words, but can't form sentences!

And this banner greeted them in the conference room. "Activity Adult Remain Unmarried Person, Young, Multi-Stake Indonesia." Then there was a quote by President Hinckley about Standing a little taller. They took our suggestion for the theme.

Elder and Sister Knorpp had planned for 4 "get acquainted" activities and accomplished 2. The bus from Jakarta finally arrived about 3 PM, so the activity started 3 hrs. late.

We have to admit, the participants really got into it. Then they sat around until dinner. They then had a talent show.

The next day, the big activity was the "Speed Dating" set up by Elder and Sister Seiter. We had "Dating Tables" set up everywhere, it seemed.

We had about 10 more girls than guys so sometimes the girls had a rest period between "Dates."

After the Speed Dating Activity and lunch, we all got together for a group photo; then the group headed off on a hike to the Waterfall (Grojogan Sewu). Sister Greenway and got ready for the Dance!

Week 59 Photos #2

It was a good thing that I had loaded a lot of music onto my laptop before our mission, because it came in handy when the music we finally received was so foreign to us we had so much trouble trying to tie the music to the types of dancing we wanted to introduce that we fell back onto my file of oldies but goodies. Doobie Brothers, Alabama, Duran Duran, Celine Dion, CCR, Bee Gees and even some Frank Sinatra; plus a few more. We also had to down load some barn-dance music and "YMCA".

Here the YSAs are slow dancing the steps we taught them - slow, slow, slow, quick-quick; slow, slow, slow, quick-quick, .... They seemed to catch on pretty quick.

After we got them going with a few fast dance numbers, they spontaneously formed a dance circle and some of them "showed off their moves!!"

Then when I turned on "YMCA" they really got excited. I guess that's become a really international sensation. They new what to do!!!!

This last photos shows them doing the "Cowboy Boogie." They learned fast and again, seemed to get into it. We ended with the "Virginia Reel". It took a little more to teach them all the steps, but for the most part they caught on and had fun. Afterward they kind of collapsed into the chairs and we couldn't get them moving again so we ended the dance a little early, but it was no problem; after all of the day's activities they were literally exhausted.