Counting Our Blessings in Barbados

 

Oistens Branch Party at Sister Waldron's Home

We celebrated Emancipation day in Barbados with a nice branch party at Sister Waldron's home.  Everyone calls her Mama Waldron, because she's one of the first members here on Barbados AND she takes care of everyone.  We asked several of the members to help us understand these August holidays that are new to us.  Emancipation was when slavery ended here on the island and Kadooment day is the final celebration of "Crop Over" meaning all the sugar cane has been harvested for the season.  The streets come alive in a Carnivale type celebration.  The members told me, "Y'all might not want to go to that.  It's kind of an adult thing and not in the "age" meaning of adult.  

We are alive and well!  Barbados is so far down here in the Caribbean that we feel a world away from most everything.  This time of year, there are few tourists, so it's really a nice time to visit; however, the weather might be a bit unpredictable.  Currently, we are experiencing the bands of weather from Tropical Storm Ernesto and "the sea is angry, my friends."  Yet, we had a lovely time on Saturday out on Carlisle Bay swimming with the turtles and the bay was calm and the sun was shining (at least until about 3:30 pm and then.....storm rolled in).  

President Waldron (District Pres) & Elder Ellis in EQ

Mission life has been pretty consistent in some ways and unpredictable in others.  We've been blessed to see many tender mercies personally.  We realize that through this experience, we both have grown in many ways that definitely reveal Heavenly Father's hands in our lives.  Doug hasn't learned to LOVE office work, but he has definitely found the WHY of service at this time.  I've learned that when you Trust Heavenly Father, that peace AND joy can be found, even if everything seems chaotic around you.  It isn't enough to just believe in Him, but I've learned to Believe Him.  His promises are sure.  

Of late, the missionary work seems slower in the islands and we've heard the young missionaries try to lift each other and regain the fire that moved them to submit their mission papers in the first place.  We see a little of the survival mode of the members here as well.  We've realized that there were times in our lives that we lived in "survival mode" as well.  It's during those times that we realize it is the time to boost our spiritual preparedness.  Are we being obedient as we should, are we seeking to learn every day, are we having experiences with the Spirit? Sometimes, you just start second-guessing yourself and fall into the "arm of the flesh" survival mode--enduring but maybe not enduring as well as we could.  It is a wonderful experience to be able to focus entirely (well mostly) on Jesus Christ and His Gospel, but what happens when we go home to "real life?" 

We enjoyed the return of Elder Hunt....Dallon....to visit Barbados this week.  He brought his friend, Kimball.  It was nice to have some time to visit with them over lunch and see how he's doing after the mission.  So many lose the fire that they found on their mission and that's sad.  We are so grateful for his testimony and example that he is still anxiously engaged in keeping Jesus Christ as his focus by working in the temple weekly, magnifying his calling in his YSA ward, and ministering and building others.  We've been so blessed to serve with these young adults.  

We also reconnected with one of the young missionaries that used to be in our ward in Fredericksburg, Virginia---Elder Burnham.  Funny, he's actually distantly related to our mission president.  On the same day we reconnected via Facebook, I received a picture from one of our returned missionaries working as an FSY counselor this summer in Canada.  The text started.....SISTER ELLIS, look who I found?  He was actually picking up his kids from FSY and Sister Nwaka was the counselor doing the check out.  She asked if he knew or was related to the Barbados Mission President and he said, I think so, but I actually know some missionaries there---The Ellis!  THE SAME DAY.  Coincidence?  I don't think so. The church is world-wide, but there are so many little connections that at times it also feels very personal and intimate. I think Elder Rasband calls that Divine Design.

Joe & Precious

 We are fasting and praying for an inspired baptismal goal this month of 16.  If you feel so inclined, we would appreciate you joining us and praying for the experiences that lead to the realization of this goal.  Many come and see, but once they're baptized, many don't come and stay.  

Lastly, I had an adventure with Sister Toma this week going to the post office and Woolworths (yes they still exist)! As we got out of the car, we noticed that the monkeys had been having a nice time earlier in the day playing on the car.  Note all the little monkey paws and their sizes!

Monkey business

We had a great devotional this week on Recognizing our blessings!  Sometimes we don't see the things that have been there the whole time.  So when you're having a bad day, think "What was the best part of the day?" and then focus there.  As missionaries, that focus is usually on the Savior or missionary work that leads us to the Savior, but there are times you get caught up in the trees and can't see the forest.  We are keenly thankful for the blessings of our kids, grandkids, family, and friends.  Thank you for keeping us and our island family in your prayers.