July 11, 2015

Bonnie: It's been a great day today. While Bob was out with the missionaries itemizing the Church's storage shed, I did the shopping and some cleaning. Then two of the missionaries came to move two big chairs that we had stored temporarily in our dining room and I invited them to lunch. We had two offerings: peanut butter sandwiches or plain cheese sandwiches--not much! But, the two were happy to have that with some leftover watermelon.
Tonight we went to The Red Lobster with some of the /senior missionaries in the Silver Maple apartment complex. Two couples were in Palmyra taking in the Hill Cumorah Pagent. Erickson's also invited the Clayton's. It is so fun to go to eat with this great group of temple and mission office couples and Laura. Has Bob told you about Laura? What an intelligent woman!
Afterwards, we went for a short walk because we felt so full! When we got on the elevator to go up to our apartment a man asked us about our church, if we were  Catholic or orthodox or protestant or Jehovah's Witness.We tried to explain that our church is none of these, but Christ's original church restored. We rode up with him to his floor talking. Before he and his son got off he said he was Muslim and that there is one God over all and we need to do what He wants to get back to Him. We agreed and wished him a good night. I wish we had taken a pass-along card with us to give to him. It was the beginning of a great conversation. I hope we planted some seeds for the future!
A good night to all--
Love, Mom/Bonnie

Bob: Up early and walked around the block. Then met 4 missionaries at the storage shed to inventory what's there. Took us a little over 3 hours to move some of it outside so we could start packing it away in some logical fashion. Had so much that after a while the logical fashion idea was discarded for 'wherever it will fit' logic. Now we need to find a charitable organization that wants  some of the items. Will work on that next week.
As Bonnie said the dinner was great. The menu had a 4-course dinner for 19.95 that I was skeptical of at first. Compared to other items it was cheaper than most. So I thought the portions would make up for it. However, I was pleasantly surprised as everything was good and portions were normal. I will admit they didn't charge me for a drink or the baked potato, but the waitress said to not worry. We waddled out of the restaurant. The walk later felt good.
Taking our first YSA member to church tomorrow. We have met him and rode to his house with the Barretts one night when they dropped him off. I think there will be more of these opportunities coming forth.

Red Lobster Dinner

The girl closest is a guest of the Claytons. Going to her left are the Mission leaders, Sister and President Clayton, Temple Missionaries Sister & Elder Conrad, Sister and Elder Bugnet, Bonnie and I, Sister Erickson, and Laura. Elder Erickson took the picture.