A SPIRITUAL UMBRELLA

These beautiful flamboyant trees are in a stage of bloom right now in Grenada.  Because of their shape, they remind us of large, colorful umbrellas.

The Prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, once talked about how things such as Family Home Evening and family prayer, when conscientiously carried out, are like an umbrella that can provide God-given protection from the worldly storms in our mortal lives.  He said "Every family is urged to engage in regular night and morning family prayers and to devote at least one evening a week at home in the sweet family togetherness undisturbed by the world and any of its allurements.  They will plan to turn off the TV and radio, leave the telephone unanswered, cancel all calls or appointments, and spend a warm, homey evening together.  While one objective is reached by merely being together, yet the additional and greater value can come from the lessons of life.  Here they can learn integrity, honor, dependableness, sacrifice, and faith in God.  Life's experiences and the scriptures are the basis of the teaching.  This, and love within the family makes an impact nothing else can make.  Thus, reservoirs of righteousness are filled to carry children through the dark days of temptation and desire, of drought and skepticism."  He said that "an umbrella, if not opened up, is little more than a cane and can give little protection."  Thus it is with us.  If we don't follow the words of the prophets in carrying out the things we have been asked to do within our families, we are not guaranteed protection.

Pres. Kimball goes on to say "The umbrella, spread out, makes the silken material taut.  When the rain falls, it runs off; when the snow falls, it slides off; when the hail comes, it bounces off; when the wind blows, it is diverted around the umbrella.  And in like manner, this spiritual umbrella wards off the foes of ignorance, superstition, skepticism, apostasy, immorality, and other forms of godlessness."

Let's spread our spiritual umbrellas for the protection of our families and do as our prophets have asked!

This is our new Zone family.  Elders Smith, Dohrman, Larson, Loewen, Hill, Strong, Sisters Smith, Smith, and Grigg, plus one more Elder Smith.  Whew!!!

 Interestingly enough, we have 4 out of 10 missionaries on the tiny island nation of Grenada that are Smith's!!!!!  How did that happen???

We will begin our week with the Sisters.

Sisters Grigg and Smith are beginning to feel comfortable on the island...... muddy feet, skinned knees, "oil down" in calabash bowls and all!

 Jemin taught the Sisters how to safely hold crabs

 And the Sisters taught "the Boys" how to roast marshmallows.

Jemin

Roger

 In case you are wondering, this is "oil down" (Grenada's national dish) in calabash gourd bowls

 Each day is a new adventure!

On Friday nights in Gouyave, the community has what they call "Fish Friday."

There's lots of local music......(and missionaries).....

Elders Larson and Smith

..........and tons of fish caught and cooked by local fisherman.......(and lots of missionaries hanging around the food).........

 .........many giant lobster........

..........and mostly......there are LDS missionaries doing what they do best......talk with the folks!

 Elder Smith Sr., Smith Jr. and Larson

Elder Loewen has to work for his dinner!

Elder Smith Jr. getting a little (likkle in Grenadian english) close to the edge

 Playtime

 Elder Smith Jr. is a SERIOUS cyclist with a purpose.  This seat has seen better days.

Morning exercise!

Elder Dohrman

 Service project
Elder Strong

 A man with his machete (or cutlass, as they call them here)
Elder Dohrman

Elder Smith Sr. wanted in on the "cutlass" action, so he wacked down some bananas

Saturday night, we went to the north end of the island to watch the leatherback turtles come ashore and lay eggs.  We had Hal and Terry Marchbanks and Lizzy and Dallas Wright & kiddos with us

What an incredible experience to see these magnificent creatures.  We could only use flashlights with red lights.  These turtles are huge!

 She layed over 100 eggs and will return several more times this season to lay more on the exact same beach.  We saw 2 turtles that night, coming, laying eggs and then going back out to the sea.  Amazing!

 Had 6 of the 8 missionaries for dinner to break the fast on Fast Sunday.  How blessed we are!

One of the best parts of our week was helping Ryan, a recent convert to the church,  finish up the paperwork to go on a mission.  He bore a beautiful testimony today in church.  Our hearts are full!