Our numbers are very few. Last evening in Institute we had about 7, and several of our regulars weren't able to be there for one reason or another. Dexter, our convert from February, has become engaged, and his efforts are towards his marriage. The good news is he is marrying an LDS girl he met while she was up here working the summer months. They will be getting married in the temple. He's 25 yrs. old. Another regular, Matt, missed his first ever YSA activity because he didn't have a ride from the University to here. His usual ride, Amanda, has taken on a couple of tutoring jobs. She tutors calculus. Brad had to work late. We do have a lot of other members, but Institute just isn't a priority with them.
I had a fun discussion with Matt concerning Dexter. Matt is 18. When he was told Dexter was engaged to be married he came right over to me. He was concerned. He said, "Shouldn't Dexter be going on a mission? He's a new convert and single male." I tried to explain that he was probably doing what was most important in his life now. Being 25 he is past the age of most young missionaries and he has a good degree in mining and a high paying job. He is probably making the best of the two choices at this point. Matt had a bit of a thought moment but still seemed a bit unsure of Dexter's decision.
Our Tlingit Indian investigator has pretty much quit attending the past two weeks. The missionaries aren't sure what is going on there. Michael struggles with his American Heritage religion and Christianity from his parents viewpoint. He doesn't want to disappoint them, and knows he will if he joins the church. He also has a drug problem. He has been clean, as he calls it, 6 weeks now. He is determined to be a dentist though. He always tells the Elders that Institute is just awesome and that he learns so much when he is there. He came 4 weeks in a row.
Last night was Institute. The materials to be covered have always been some of my favorite. They centered around the worth of a soul. We discussed the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Also discussed was the great feast and the parable of the fig tree. As usual, there is so much material in the lesson that time negates a complete and thorough going over. But we did compare the sheep, who unintentionally wandered, to that son or daughter of God who, through no fault of his own, doesn't stay with the flock. We compared the neglected silver coin being misplaced to that of one of God's children being shunned or offended or neglected. They opened up and went pretty deep on this one. And we compared the prodigal son, who willingly left his home with his inheritance, and squandered it on riotous living and harlots, to that of anyone who willfully rejects God's commandments and turns from his home (gospel standards). After a thorough discussion of each of these, we turned to the joy when each lost article or soul was found. We discussed the repentant nature of the son who returned and the welcome he received from his father. I loved the discussions of those in attendance. They need a bit of prodding to get the jist of the parables sometimes. But once they uncover the metaphore, away they go.
Diane was exhausted yesterday from preparing for the meal afterward. The idea of snacks usually turns into a luncheon type of offering for those who come. She fixed her fruit filled muffins, a green salad and some jumbalaya type of rice dish with sausage. There was lots left over and she invited the two sets of missionaries to load some plates up to take home to their fridges. And they did. There was a young scout hanging around the good smell of the food. I could tell he wanted to eat. I asked if he would put away a table for me. I said, "If you'll do that for me you can come in and eat with us." He jumped right to it. In fact he, even went and invited his dad to eat too.
We still have days of rain now and then, with a bit more sunshine than the first two months we were here. It was cold last night. With all of the humidity, it freezes moisture onto the metal surfaces into ice. The cement and asphalt get very slippery with black ice.
Our attendance at the Missionary Preparation classes has been dismal these two weeks. They express a desire to go on a mission but their knowledge of the gospel is pretty limited. We may end up having to have the class on Sundays so they can come.
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