First of all, we need to tell you all of a fun surprise. We ordered some combs for the YSA Convention service project and have been watching the mail for their delivery. We were so happy when a package arrived because it looked like about the right size to be our order, but when we opened it up, it was not the combs at all. It was Chocolate Chips.!---and we could not figure out how or why in the world chocolate chips got delivered to us! It was such a surprise that we just thought about it for days, wondering who would do that---and how with no trace of address or name would we ever be able to give a proper thank-you.
Well, the mystery is no nearer to being solved, but we have continued to think about the "sweet" surprise and how it blesses so many people: Grandchildren, this is your game this week. Try to make a list of how many people are blessed by this bag of chocolate chips ,--- and if they are blessed in more ways than one ---before you finish reading this part of the letter. Then come back and read the ways we have thought. Perhaps, since you are so smart, you will think of more than we did, but here are the ways we thought.
First of all, it truly blesses US in at least 6 ways! We have a big bag given to us, and we are still smiling because as you probably remember, we do not afford to buy chocolate chips in Ireland. They are way too expensive to justify the cost. (But of course the chocolate chips sent in the mail are possibly more expensive than they would be for us to buy! ? ---we should maybe not be so careful about the cost). But we are saved a lot of money by this gift.
And we can make special treats for our friends here, which makes us so happy to serve them
And we are blessed with the yummy treat that reminds us of USA that we love,
And our tummies are so happy that we will not have to get any other treats,
And we think of the delicious cookies or brownies, etc. we have tasted from some of our favorite people, and we feel their love,
And we have a security guard against getting a ticket--because if we get pulled over by the Garda (police), we will give him a cookie and he will not give us a ticket because chocolate chip goodies are a rare treasure.
Second, it blesses others in at least 4 ways:
Because their tummies will be happy
And they will know that we love them, which is what the Savior wants them to feel
And it will help them compare the good feelings of chocolate chips with the good feelings of the Gospel, and they will want to learn more
And their happy feelings will help them to treat others with kindness, so the world will be a happier place.
And Guarda will be too busy licking their lips to give more tickets, so more people will be happy.
Third, we hope it blesses all of you.
We hope you feel the joy of all the people made happy.
We hope you know how much we love each of you. The amazing thing about an anonymous gift is that the receiver thinks of all the people who might have done this and mentally thanks them. Quite honestly you might be surprised how broad the mental "Thank You!" list is. We know and love you all as family and friends and think that any one of you are wonderful enough to do this.
And if you didn't, perhaps it will give you (as it has us) the idea to do an anonymous surprise , (to anyone) which means the Chocolate Chips have just gone viral!!! Now we just need the combs to come in time!
Well, we did have a week of fun beyond the Chocolate Chips:
Tuesday we had a great District Meeting. Our new DL has not been on his mission long, but he is proving to be a great leader. The attention to really teaching and sharing brought a great spirit to the meeting and we enjoyed it so much.
That afternoon, we had an appointment with a newly-wed girl who had been a YSA, that gave us an extra bit of joy. She had been in the Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and said she felt the need to come and talk to us about her education verses working. She is a real sweetheart and very ambitious, but wanted our council on whether to keep working for a year or two, or go to school now. We just had to tell her, school, and she smiled and said she knew that is what we would say, ---and it was what her husband wanted her to do, ---and it was what the Spirit told her to do on Sunday, but she felt guilty not earning money first. (Her husband has a great job and they can afford it). It was so fun to be a part of a personal revelation that is as important as education.
On Wednesday our highlight was going to Belfast and meeting with the new Stake SR Specialists for lunch. They are really a fun couple and Grandma found a soul-mate. Sister Moffett has a clock wall that just makes a person smile, and she decorates so fun. Their home is a typical Irish row house on the outside, but whereas most homes are not decorated much, their home is adorable--just like them. We had so much fun talking about the plans ahead. They have such enthusiasm for the SR work and even though they don't have the best of health, they are dedicated to building the kingdom. (He is the one who said he doesn't limp now because both feet hurt equally bad with diabetes problems.)
On the way home, we had a bit of time to spare for a change and followed a Bronte Homeplace sign, which took us to the home, school, and Church of Emily and Charlotte Bronte" who wrote "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights." If any of you older granddaughters want a great read I suggest especially Jane Eyre. It was one of may favorites, so it was fun to see the setting. Pictures will be sent.
That night we had a great Job Class group with 6 members, including us and 5 investigators. We appreciate how involved they are in the course and really enjoy everyone's company.
On Thursday, we drove back to Glendalough where the YSA Convention will be held. We may have to help lead hikes and so we did the most popular one (as fast as we could.) It really was an amazing hike around two lakes, through an 1800's mining town ruins of stone houses, and to the top of a ridge to overlook the entire valley. When it crossed the extensive bogs the forest service had laid a remarkable railroad-ties trail and then 600 railroad-tie steps down the steep mountain. In all it was 6 miles and we kept a pace that had us feeling quite stiff for about 3 days. Now we don't know if we will volunteer to do it again! But we can tell others about it.
Thursday evening we drove to a branch an hour away that we haven't been able to get back to for awhile and had the treat of seeing them doing so well with a Finance group. They younger and older couples alike, expressed as part of class how they were feeling such changes in their priorities and loving it! It is exciting to feel their love of the program even when they are very capable, responsible leaders. One younger man had been called as Branch President since the class started, are he and his wife are so prosperous, so down to earth, and so sincerely learning and growing.
Friday we had a surprise visit from one of the Elders and his parents. He had gone home a little over a week ago, then came back with his parents and brother for 10 days. He was such a great Elder and his parents had met in Ireland on their missions, so they were having a wonderful time. We were honored they would stop and visit us.
Friday night we went back to Cork for a class again. The class was good but the summertime is a tough time to hold things together when so many go on "holiday". We had long drives, but important we think.
And Saturday was spectacular! We were able to attend the Book of Mormon Symposium sponsored by the Dublin Stake. Considering how difficult and far travel is for many, we were surprised at what a good attendance there was. They had 4 classes each hour from 10-5 and each class was a significant group. The lessons were terrific from great people, many of whom we know a little--and knowing the speakers makes them even more interesting.
A few months ago, some class members invited us to join them for a picnic and visit to the Dublin Zoo, and when the Symposium came up for the same day, we hated to miss either one, so we split the day. We did 10-noon classes, a BBQ at the house, then two more classes and finally off to the zoo, ---which is huge and should have been a full day, but summer is ticking away. In all it was again, spectacular! Wonderful Spirit and learning, wonderful people, wonderful weather, wonderful zoo. The zoo has lovely settings that are roomy, yet you can see the animals well because they have big numbers of animals. Grandchildren, here was a mystery though: why would they have penguins in a dry desert like setting? It even had a desert Yucca plant.
Finally, Sunday was special too. We felt like our talks and presentation went well, and we are hopeful to get this good ward going soon with SR. They seem very enthused. We took our Romanian friend, Nick, and afterwards invited him to dinner, but he wanted us to come to his apartment to eat. We did and it was a good visit. We still need to help him move forward, which is hard because he works so much and because all his roommates smoke, so he doesn't quit--but he wants to do better and join the church. With a little more open time this week, we are hoping to meet with him more often, and see if we can help.
Yes, this letter is super long!! Sorry, but we want you to know the blessings and feelings of our mission and we hope that at least some of it reassures you that the Gospel is true and it is so important for us to all do our best to live the principles and share with others. We wish we could help you to feel our love for you and for Heavenly Father, so we send hugs and pray for blessings in your lives.
Stay happy and righteous,
Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom, Lynne, and Lanette, Elder and Sister Pettit
Grandma found her soul-mate for interior design. Sister Moffett of the Belfast Stake has a clock wall! It is darling and so is she. She and her husband are the new SR speialists for the Stake.
Brother Moffett has sense of humor to top all and is such an optimist. He is the man who didn't limp any more "because both feet hurt equally bad now". This hangs in their front entry. Good logo for the leader who is to give people hope?
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