This was a wonderful week (I know you are thinking, "Finally 😅")!
Last night we were contacted by Taonga, a wonderful new member of our Al Ain Branch who recently moved here from Zambia, Africa. Most employers here only pay once a month, so many workers have to stretch every dirham for four long weeks. With wages being so modest and many faithfully sending a large portion home to support their families, it can be incredibly difficult to make ends meet.
We picked Taonga up, treated her to McDonald's, took her grocery shopping, and gave her $50 to help her get through until next week's payday. She is absolutely adorable: sweet, quiet, kind and full of goodness. We already love having her in our branch and feel grateful that the Lord has led her here.
The lower right picture tells a different story; one involving gas, long lines, and a little patience! The government announced that fuel prices would increase at midnight ~ giving everyone a full 24-hour heads-up, which I actually think was very considerate! Our gas tank, however, was basically running on prayers and fumes. Billy went out earlier in the day but found the lines so long that he decided to try again later. At 11:00pm the lines were still just as long, if not longer. Since we didn't have much choice, we joined the queue. There was plenty of excitement as several drivers attempted the classic "I'll just squeeze in here" maneuver, but after a few successful attempts, everyone in our line united and politely decided, "No more!"
Then, just as we finally reached the pump, the clock struck midnight. The attendants had to pause everything, update the system with the new prices, and restart the pumps. Quite a few people drove away, deciding they could wait another day, but our tank had other plans! So we waited. Billy ended up having a wonderful visit with the attendant while everything was being reset. Sometimes even a delay turns into an unexpected opportunity to brighten someone's night. The Lord has a way of turning ordinary moments, even waiting in a gas line, into little blessings.
We had such a phenomenal Sunday!
Jennifer and Brian both spoke, and Jennifer, who happens to be a chess champion, gave an unforgettable talk using chess to teach the gospel. She reminded us that every move has consequences, we can only control our own choices (not anyone else's) and that wise disciples think beyond today to eternity. Mistakes don't have to end the game; through the Savior's Atonement, there is always hope and a way back. Every piece has a unique purpose, just as every child of God has unique gifts. And sometimes sacrifice leads to the greatest victories. Her message beautifully tied together agency, preparation, and keeping Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. Sooooo, if God were merely a chess master, He could simply overpower every opponent. But in the gospel, His purpose isn't to demonstrate superior skill, it's to help His children grow. That means He doesn't make our moves for us. He allows us (agency) to learn, sometimes through difficult positions, while offering guidance whenever we seek it.
Brian spoke about the blessings and dangers of social media. To make his point, he used AI to "improve" a couple of pictures of Billy. One made him look like he was happily puffing on a cigar and the other (pictured) transformed him into a full-fledged motorcycle gang member! There were a lot of funny comments on Zoom from the members who got a good laugh! It was the perfect reminder that seeing isn't always believing. Our job is to seek truth, not just appearances, and to see the world through the Savior's light instead of through distorted images (or the ever-reliable sources of gossip, Instagram, Facebook, and the internet 😛).
Our Sunday School lesson was taught by the fabulous Sinclair's; they knocked it out of the park! They taught about the importance of being temporally prepared, especially with so much uncertainty in the world right now, including the ongoing situation with Iran.
Their message wasn't, "Go spend hundreds of dollars tomorrow." It was, "Start where you are." Add an extra $20 of food, water, or emergency supplies each month and before you know it, you've built something meaningful little by little. They are great examples of this in every aspect of their life ~ such a blessing to have gotten to know them and their two great kids, Adrena (15) and Eli (11).
The lesson was practical, encouraging, and full of excellent charts and visuals that made the whole idea feel completely doable. It was a wonderful reminder that preparing isn't about living in fear, it's about living in faith. As the Lord promised, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30). I left feeling inspired that each of us can take simple, steady steps to better care for our families, whatever the future may hold.
Jennifer and Mag with Teena, Jacob and baby Gianna, Taonga, me and Alma.
After church, Brian and Jennifer spoiled us with a scrumpt-dillious feast! Brian loves to cook and thankfully for the rest of us, he's incredibly good at it. It truly was a meal fit for a king (or queen!) and by the time we finished eating, everyone felt like royalty. We are so blessed by members who lovingly share their time, talents and gifts to bless the whole branch.
One of the sweetest things about our branch is how much everyone loves having little children around. They light up the room and seem to have an endless supply of smiles, high-fives, and willing arms to hold them.
At the same time, it's a tender reminder that many of our members have children and grandchildren back in their home countries. Watching them cuddle a little one or play peek-a-boo often makes me think they're borrowing a few precious moments until they can hug their own families again. It makes our little branch feel even more like a family, where love is shared generously until reunions come.
Gabriel (Ghana), Sunshine (Nigerian), Taonga (Zambia), Kennedy, Mag, Lehi (Nigerian), Jennifer, (Philipines), Brian (AZ), Hygine (Nigerian) Jamie, Billy and Alma (Nigerian).Because Kennedy was out of work for a short minute, I had Magellan (Mag), helping me clean the villa. She is an absolute organizing machine. I asked for a deep clean and apparently she interpreted that as, "Let's make this house look brand new." She has rewashed everything, emptied every cupboard, cleaned every shelf and is cheerfully redoing all the work I did when we first arrived. She straps sweet baby Lehi on her back and works and works and works. Alma just runs around and plays with all our toys. Her only flaw? She'd happily stay all day, every day if I'd let her! Unfortunately, that also sent the cleaning bill up considerably, so after two weeks we had to retire the "cleaning service"! I've given myself a budget for helping with the cleaning and those two weeks managed to use up almost all of it! I paid Mag $15 an hour, which is almost double what many workers earn here; she was worth every dirham. We've also been able to help Kennedy with his visa and have taken food and water to their family several times.
Yesterday I took Mag shopping during the floods. My GPS apparently goes on vacation the minute I leave the villa, so we got lost a couple of times. Thankfully, Mag had navigation on her phone which meant she spent the entire trip lovingly informing me exactly where to turn. She makes an excellent driving buddy, even if she does suddenly become my backseat chauffeur the moment her phone comes out! I love her dearly but being navigated by Mag is not my favorite part of the day.
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God."
— Doctrine and Covenants 123:17
