Well, we made it through Month 3! In some ways, it seems like we’ve been here forever, and in other ways, it feels like we just got here. We enjoy working in the temple five days a week. Even if I’m feeling a little down, when I’m in the temple my spirits lift, and I feel the joy of helping others in this important work.
As I mentioned before, we serve in the baptistry on Thursdays and love being with the youth. They are so cute and strong in the gospel. They’re always excited to learn that we’re from California. This week, we had a large group from another island — three large groups of youth from a stake came to do baptisms.
While at the mall, we ran into the youth group got to take a picture with them. That was so fun! Since we’re inside the temple, we usually don’t get to take pictures with any of the patrons we serve.
Afterward, I was chatting with some of the girls, and two of them asked if they could give me a hug. Of course, I told them yes. Then they said, “You are so pretty! You look like Barbie.” That made me laugh because, of course, I don’t look like Barbie. But I thought they might be on to something — maybe I should suggest they create a Geriatric Barbie! Haha.
The week before, I was sitting by the font watching the baptisms when one of the young men came and sat down beside me. He said, “Sister, what is the meaning of the bulls under the baptismal font?” I explained that they were oxen and that they represent the twelve tribes of Israel, how gathering Israel is the most important work we can do right now and that is exactly what he is doing in the temple. We had such a great little discussion about the significance of the oxen. He told me he was the only member in his family and that he was missing his graduation practice to be on the temple trip. He also told me his father had passed away several years ago and that he wanted to be baptized for him. I told him where the Family History Center was and that they could help him get the card ready for his father. I offered to help, but he said he thought he’d be able to do it. He is preparing to start his mission papers. I was so glad I got to visit with him—what a great young man.
We received another new missionary couple from the States, so that makes five foreigner couples now, which is really exciting! The couple from Singapore hangs out with us sometimes, but the four couples from the States have a really good time together. We always go out to dinner on Friday nights, which is so fun. This week we went to a place called Tops. It’s up in the mountains, about a half-hour drive from the temple. From Tops, we could look down and see the whole valley, including the temple and the temple complex where we live. Such a beautiful view, including the ocean in the distance. The food was good, and we really enjoyed it.
On Saturday, we went to the Ocean Park Aquarium. It was a pretty nice aquarium. Afterward, we went across the street to a huge mall where we had dinner and saw the first two episodes of season 5 of The Chosen.
I continue to visit with the other sisters on my temple shift and learn about their lives. One sister I spoke with is so sweet and such a hard worker. She has a catering business and also takes care of boarders for whom she cooks and cleans. Another sister said she has to get up at 2:00–2:30 in the morning because she only has access to water between 3 and 5, and she has to fill all her buckets to have water throughout the day. I was sitting next to another sister, and she asked me if I had arthritis in my hands. I told her I didn’t, and I was surprised because my mom had arthritis really badly in her hands. She grabbed my hand, as if to check if I was telling the truth, and said, “Oh my goodness, you have baby-soft hands!” Then she said, “Oh, Sister, you don’t work, do you?” When I told her that I did, she replied, “But you have a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and a dishwasher. We wash our clothes by hand in a bucket and hang them on the line. We don’t have a vacuum either.” This sweet sister’s hands are rough with callouses and her fingers are bent with arthritis. They work so hard just doing daily chores that are so easy for us. I started noticing all the sisters’ hands, and they are all the same. How easy it is to take for granted all the conveniences we have and not even realize that there is another way of life we know nothing about. And yet, they are all so happy and never complain.
Something that I found surprising is that there is a male temple employee who goes around collecting trash and refilling paper goods in the restrooms—not so strange, except that he comes into the women’s dressing rooms during temple hours to do his job. I walked out of a bathroom stall the other day and, as I went over to the sink, there he was, emptying the trash. I don’t think that would ever be okay in the States, and honestly, it wasn’t okay with me! But the locals don’t seem to have a problem with it.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to put my life on hold and serve the Lord and show Him how much I love Him. It’s not easy, and I miss everyone so much, but I know it is only for a short time, and the difference we can make in someone’s life is forever.
We love you all so much, and we are so grateful that families are forever—and I believe our friends are forever as well.
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