Pie Chart and Photos

Xander drew a pie chart for us that shows how his time is spent.  He says, "Teaching and traveling are way fun.  Finding is fun too.  Service is like taking a break, so it's very enjoyable."

This is his current companion, Elder Guinn.  He was supposed to go to Suriname the same time as Xander, and now they're together in Alabama.  He says that they speak Dutch when they're alone.

Photographed While Eating

We were tipped that the new Mission President in Alabama is a faithful blogger. We found proof that our son is eating. VaLene has been a bit concerned that he won't have any food when he is not at home.

Simple Acts of Kindness

Yesterday we took some bread to the nice retirement home.  Sister Poelenitz lives there and we do sacrament for her since she can't leave due to health issues.  She's only about 50, but way physically disabled.  We cut open her watermelon for her, and that act of kindness to her seemed to be the most rewarding thing I've done out here.  Just helping an oldish woman.

I don't think I've told you all about Freddy yet.  He's an old retarded guy we used to help play Bingo.  He's funny because he will make eye contact with you, then cock his head and crack up laughing.  I'm going to find a way for us to continue helping Freddy with Bingo.

We live 6 miles from where we work, so it's about a half hour hilly bike ride each way.  But at one spot, we cross a bridge over a cool stream.  The cool part about the stream is that there are a ton of great blue herons that nest near the bridge, so we see a bunch of those birds every day we ride.  It reminds me of going bird watching with Dad.

I am surviving the humidity.  We've been very blessed in surviving these temperatures.  We have exceptional air conditioning which I opt to leave on always.  It's cooling down just a bit.  I sure hope I leave before winter.  I'm not prepared for wintery situations at all.

Picture Postcards

Dear Home,
I've never sent a post card before, but I figure this is much the same thing.  This is me and Elder Dansie and Demarcus.  Today is August 2, 2010, and it is hot and wet outside.  I was informed yesterday that I will be taking over Ensley, and Elder Guinn will be my companion*.  I'm going to have to be lead by the spirit, because I don't know how to get to anyone's house as of now**...and no way am I buying a GPS.  It'll be good to have a refresher on Dutch, though.  Apparently, Elder Guinn hasn't forgotten quite as much as I have.  Mission is going well.

*Elder Guinn was also called to Suriname/West Indies, and he was in Xander's district in the MTC.  They were both reassigned to Birmingham, Alabama due to Visa problems.

** I speculate that Xander falls asleep soon after his seat belt is attached, and that is why he wouldn't know his way around.  His entire life, he has fallen fast asleep in the car.

This is when my coat was in home ward, so I don't fit in.  Elder Dansie did a District Training with us.  Being a missionary is fun.  I sure enjoy serving the Lord.

Rickwood Field is the oldest baseball field in America.  Elder Dansie got a flat from a big nail in the road, so we were walking that day.  This shows that Ensley, Alabama used to be a real city, not a dying one.