The Houston humidity is back. It has been raining most days for 20-30 minutes and then warms back up again. So I’m back to feeling tired on my runs and I run slower as a result. Sad for me. :(
With no real P-day on Saturday or break we went into the new week a bit exhausted. Monday, Aaron and I met with the AP’s to plan for the Monthly MLC that will be held tomorrow. We felt a great need to teach the principles of accountability, planning, using time wisely, and the Plan of Salvation. We hope they increase their understanding and experience the blessings that are received when they plan and follow through. Hopefully through the training we provide at the MLC meetings will then be taken to the zones where the Zone Leaders hold a similar meeting teaching the skills that we provide. Aaron and I went to several different zone meetings at the end of the week to observe the teaching. It's fun to watch the Zone Leaders create their own approach and teach the principles that we've given them. Some do it well, others are striving to get there, such a good growth experience.
While the kids were at school, I met with one of the sister companionship for their weekly planning. It was great to see how they plan and the techniques they use. I hope to share some of the things I learned with the other missionaries in future trainings. After one of the zone meetings, I took the opportunity to take a few of the sisters to lunch. This is a great opportunity for me to get to know the sisters better. I think they enjoy it as well. :)
The kids are doing great in school. Bode ended up making the 7th grade A team in football, he'll start at corner on defense and play receiver on offense. This has been a great motivator for him to do well at school. Academic success is highly stressed. He got that message from his coaches loud and clear. As a mom, I am so grateful for that reinforcement from them. Bode has made quite a few friends through football (It makes my mom heart happy) although not a lot of hanging out after school with friends that we are used to.
Zac continues to enjoy seminary and his teacher loves his participation and energy. Another happy heart moment for me. Zac made the basketball cuts and will stay in his Basketball PE class. At first he was frustrated because so many of the kids were kept in the class but then the next day a 2nd cut was made which he didn’t know was happening. We're not quite sure how this will translate to the team yet, but he's having a good time. Zac is going to the Homecoming dance and asked a girl to go with him. Apparently it's not a date as they just meet at the school for the dance and then maybe go with a group of friends after for dinner. Let’s hope that’s what really happens or this girl may be extremely disappointed. He obviously is making friends as well.
Jessie continues to make friends. On Monday, She played with Emme the girl she went to the birthday party to last Saturday. She and a girl named Hannah planned out wearing similar clothes on Wednesday that she was so happy about. She's become good friends with Natalie Nielsen, and that has helped us get to know more people in the ward. She worked with the elders twice this week on her Chinese. They are doing a lot of review that is good for her. I contacted Bates about getting the Chinese homework so she can be working on what they are. I hope this will help her have some of the skills she needs when we go back in 3 years.
Saturday morning we helped out with a service project at an old Baptist church built in 1869. A lot of us from the ward and the missionaries in our area came to help. The kids helped us paint and the humidity was so high this morning we were all soaked within minutes. The pastor of the church was really grateful and it's fun to see a bunch of Mormon's sweating to take care of the Baptists. :) We are trying to put more pictures on our mission Facebook page www.facebook.com/thethsm so you can see what we're up to.
Our transfer week is this coming Monday. It makes for a few stressful days before hand and then a long week going forward. Its intense but it is such a wonderful time with our missionaries. We have our mission president seminar with Elder Robbins coming up next week as well. Can you say busy week?