December 19--25, 2016

This week we flew to Solo to deliver Christmas gifts to our missionaries there and to train on Goals.  Bother Bono drove us to Yogyakarta where we met with Missionaries from Yogyakarta and Magelang.  Then we flew back to Jakarta and prepared for the happy arrival of Sarah, Daniel, Joanna and Claire!  On Friday, December 23 we met with missionaries from the Jakarta Zones for a Joseph Smith Birthday/Christmas Devotional and gifts.  For lunch we served Cafe Rio (Indonesian Version).  Sarah and Daniel both spoke and we listened to beautiful Christmas music performed by our missionaries.  Thanks to the Senior Couples who cooked, served and cleaned up!

 Our son-in-law, Daniel McConkie, during the Christmas Devotional in Senopati Mission Home, December 23, 2016.  He shared doctrine relating to our knowledge of God's nature and purpose because of all Joseph Smith learned and restored.  Amazing teacher!  Thank you Daniel!

 Christmas Eve Day at Taman Mini Park.

 Everyone wanted to take a picture with the two little blonde girls.  President makes friends wherever we go...they all love him and are amazed that he can speak Bahasa.

Christmas Day.  Sarah made darling dolls for Joanna and Claire and brought them all the way to Thailand and Indonesia  for their Christmas gifts.

December 11--18, 2016

December 11--18, 2016

December 11th was the Magelang Open House and our crazy trip home. (See previous post).  Elder & Sister Jefferey were so happy to be in the new building that they had worked so hard to find.  It was a great almost end to their mission.  We will miss them so much and the Magelang Branch and all of Central Java will be sad to see them go.  This is the new artwork in Terminal 3 in Jakarta.  It used to be a guy that looked like Iron Man and now it reminds me of an octopus.

On December 16 we traveled to Manado on the island of Sulawesi.  We saw lots of Christmas decorations, delivered some Christmas gifts to our missionaries, witnessed an eight year old boy's baptism and the baptism of the wife of a man who's been a member for a few months.  Faithful saints in Manado!  They had a Christmas program and dinner. 

Poinsettias in the Jakarta airport!

 Christmas tree made of corn in Manado Hotel.

                                                                      
Practicing!  This little boy, Michael, is a favorite of mine! He loves music. Elder Hunt is a great missionary as well. White Christmas in Manado!

 Another great missionary, Elder M. Johnson, celebrated his birthday.  The branch clerk makes and sells incredible cakes like this Happy 19th Bday Santa cake.

Elder Hunt, Elder Scott, Elder Djamoen and Elder Johnson above and President with Santa at the Manado airport below.

December 4--11, 2016

December 4--11, 2016

      Actually we flew from Timor Leste back to Surabaya on December 2nd and held training with our missionaries.

 On December 3, we held a Mission Leadership Council with Elder and Sister Evans. In the afternoon we attended the first session of the Surabaya District Conference. On Sunday, December 4 the General Session was held.  President and I both spoke.  Elder Evans asked everyone to obtain their own Temple Recommend--regular or Limited Use.  The Evans left on Monday for Hong Kong.  What a great Mission tour with this wonderful couple!

Cute Christmas decorations in Surabaya.

On December 6 four of our Sister missionaries returned home.  They will be greatly missed!

The next day our new missionaries arrived!

On December 9 we traveled to Magelang in Central Java for the Open House for the new building.

 On Sunday we took a bus from Magelang to the Jogyjakarta airport, but the bus broke down so we had to hitchike.  A nice Muslim family picked us and our suitcases up and took us to the airport--a long way.  Grateful for their kindness and for Heavenly father looking out for us.  He is always there!