ROCK AND TERRI FAMILY: March 2012

These boys the night before they went in the MTC in So. Africa. They look so amazing and are so excited for their adventure. Just a few days before this picture they were looking a bit more ragged. Good Boys all three

The day that Iganga became a branch. President and Sis J on the right bottom with President and Sis Tucker on the left bottom. The councilors are on the back row.

P-Day and the Elders are on their way to find a taxi to take them to the Forest.

Ok this isn't Joseph Smith. This is Elder A posing in a scene. This was taken in the forest.

Transfer dinner

transfer dinner We had stew and rolls and fruit salad. Green frosted cupcakes.

AP's in the van on their way home, but they couldn't resist stopping by for dinner

So happy about 2 cupcakes!

Transfer dinner again with all these cute missionaries

This is my memory game on the wall. Behind each yellow sheet is a picture or name of a prophet or Apostle. We had a great time, but we didn't finish the game until after dark. sister Crayk and I were Vanna.

I met Siprion when he came to sit by me in Sacrament meeting. Usually just the children come to sit by me so they can rub my arms, they think because my skin is lighter it might be softer, like a teddy bear or blanket. But Siprion, a strong, unwrinkled, outspoken but very small man I figured was closer to my age - (and since then I found out he is just one year younger), and a head shorter than me. In our conversation I learned that his English was good, and it was his first time coming to church. As we sat together his eyes would tear up uncontrollably several times during the Sacrament Meeting and Gospel Essential class. This is a remarkable humble man I couldn't help noticing.

But what is typical on a Sunday in Iganga, the Elders can barely squeeze in all the appointments they make so I asked them to invite Rock and I to his discussions. Two weeks later the ZL's drove us out to his home on a dirt road - a two hour drive from our home in Jinja. Elder Tyler said Siprion rides his bike to church down this dirt road and it takes him 3 hours. We met his wife and grandchildren, they had prepared a lovely lunch for us. Sugar cane bites, roasted peanuts, and jackfruit. The jackfruit was the only thing we had never eaten before, something that tasted like a very firm sweet rubbery papaya. But on the tree it looks like a big green scary deformed porcupine. When you cut it open it resembles a squash. But it's a very good fruit and it grows everywhere.

Then she brought out another dish, and from the muted gasp under Elder Jenkins breath, I got a little nervous. He said, don't worry it's chicken, but then asked our host; "Siprion, who is the guest of honor?" The honor went to Elder Ballstaedt, and honestly, the Elders actually said; "Whew". To their surprise, Rock actually likes eating chicken gizzards which is only reserved for the guest of honor and you have to eat it. I took a very small piece of chicken while Rock sat crunching his gizzards with a totally straight face, and I couldn't figure out how to swallow the skin with feathers still kind of stuck in it. Elder Jenkins said; 'Sister Ballstaedt, sometimes you have to swallow and not think about it". eew.

The Elders had given Siprion many discussions and this one was on the Word of Wisdom. His only question was; "what is non-perscription drugs"? The Elders say that most people in the villages have never heard of drugs except sometimes marijuana or opium. Siprion had no idea about either. Siprion committed to the Elders without any hesitation that he was willing and able to give up his morning tea, and he had never used anything else prohibited in the word of wisdom. He had committed himself to the gospel on that very first day he came to church.

He did have one concern. He wanted his wife to be baptized with him, but the Elders said no; she hasn't had the lessons, and she doesn't speak English so we need someone else to teach her the discussions. Rock said then he should wait for her.

Siprion said; "it is very hard for us financially to pay for transport to her parents village and give them a gift before we get married." Again, a couple in their 60's with grandchildren who were never allowed to get married because he couldn't pay the gift to her parents.

All the way home Rock is whining to the Elders about how sad they can't get baptized together. He is still sad about it the next day while we are in Kampala having lunch with Pres and Sis J. Of course Pres J says to call the Elders and tell them she is going to be baptized, just do the interview and let them celebrate together. Sunday came and after all the hard work Rock had been doing for the last few months, Pres J was there in Iganga to create it from a "group" to a "branch". He also interviewed Siprion's wife with Brother Tucker (now President Tucker) as the interpreter.

They were married and baptized after church. (I couldn't attend because I had a YSA meeting and transfer dinner for the Elders after that - so Rock went alone but I did send wedding cupcakes!)

Siprion and Harriet after their marriage

Sister Anna at our RS Birthday Party celebration. We had cupcakes, bananas and fresh fruit juice

Our cute Emily the Primary President was there

Sister Lovisa came to my house the day before to help me make all the cupcakes

Then she learned to decorate the tops with frosting

President Mbiro told the women they should help support their husbands to honor the priesthood

Sister Mary was doing a demonstration. She took her broom (which is really a bunch of sticks) and spread the sticks all over the floor. Then she asked everyone if there was anyone that could help her pick them up. several ladies came to pick up the sticks.

She taught how the broom is stronger when the sticks are all put together. Like when we all work together in Unity and love then we are stronger women in the RS

Sister Crayk made the decorations. I am here with Sister Rose and Sister Grace

Sister Palaasi and Sister Wmami

We had a very good turn out

During the birthday party I had to have my meeting for the YSA with these two guys, Moses and James. Moses is the High Council rep and James is the District YSA rep. We spend about 2 hours writing up the agenda for our 1-hour meeting for Sunday that will take place with all the branch reps. For April we are doing Karaoke night! I have to let them use my p hone to call and remind everyone to come because they don't ever have air time. But they get distracted when they use my I-phone, I don't know why unless it's because it's just a fun phone and nothing they have ever seen before. Neither one of these guys have a job, but both served missions. James just got engaged to Rachael. I am trying to get a temple date for them lined up, which will take several months to get the passport for her. We are just so proud of him for taking the step forward which is really difficult for them to do here.

Sister CRayk giving cooking lessons to the Elders

Yum brownies

I'm not teaching I am just eating

more pictures of the forest

Elders in the forest

Elder Crayk and Elder Augustin

these really cool trees are fun to play in

Horsing around

peek a boo

pirates

tarzan

explorer

King Kong

Tree house

more Tarzan

escape from the tree house

Jane

Sister Aidah

Sisters in Zion

Harriet

Sister

Sister Silvia

Sisters in Zion

Sister

Big Aidah and little Aidah. Both from Mpumedde branch

Sister Rose and Sister Lovisa

Sister Lovisa

Sister Grace with Sister Rose

Sister Anna RS president of Jinja branch

Sister Kathryn, Primary President of Njeru branch

Visiting the school campus with the Palaasi family

Elders at the forest - they were so done!

We had fun watching the monkeys running through the trees

The Palaasi family lives on top of a mountain with a beautiful view of the countryside. They will be going to the temple to sealed in May with with their 4 children