Dec 5

December 5, 2006

First thing this morning we did the exercises from our Healthy Missionary Guidebook instead of walking. Then got more exercise cleaning the trailer. Robert again cleaned the oven because ever since we cooked Thanksgiving turkey it sets off the smoke alarm if we turn on the oven.

The weather today was absolutely gorgeous. Being back up in the 60’s felt good after our little cold spell.

After lunch we visited several families and invited many inactive members to the Christmas dinner that will be held on December 13. Then we went to the church for our ARP meeting. Last week as we sat there and no one came we decided that we would come every single Tuesday, with or without attendees, and stay for the whole hour. We said, after all, what if someone was just walking by and saw the lights in the church and suddenly got the courage to come in. Shouldn’t we be there just in case?

Weird experience. Tonight no one came again. Just as we started putting our stuff away the door opened and in came Kit Cody. Kit had been by the trailer once before…he’s the wild man who wanted a blessing. Well, he looked just as wild tonight, but he came in and talked and talked and talked. We were there until 9:30. We’re not sure if he realized he was at an ARP meeting, but he was aware that he was in church. He told us that he really doesn’t drink much any more. Apparently tonight was an exception. But we like Kit and talked to him about coming next Tuesday and having a real meeting. He was in no condition tonight to start the 12 steps. Actually, I wasn’t sure he could take 12 steps. He asked us for money and I was so proud of Robert. He stood firm to the party line…the mission doesn’t allow us to give money, but we can help with food or clothes. He loved the banana bread I made for the meeting. Robert gave him a big hunk and said it was to take home to eat when he was hungry. He said, “Actually, I’m hungry right now.” And ate the whole thing right there.

It was our day for drunks. Another place we went we had been to several times because at our Thanksgiving dinner a mom told Robert about her son who drinks heavily. She’s very worried about him and wanted Robert to talk to him. Well, today he was home and all I can say is that she has good reason to worry. We invited him to the meeting and even went back to pick him up. But by that time he was passed out on the couch, so Robert left him there and said he’d come by the house again. This man fell and had a head injury at his work some time ago so it’s a little difficult to know how much is brain damage and how much is just drunk.

I have to tell my “sweet Robert” story for the day. We have this chair that sits on the porch. It’s a ratty folding chair and I usually keep it as far away from the door as possible. The only reason we leave it there is because Cue, the mission cat, likes to sit there. So today I noticed that the chair was over right against the trailer. I asked Robert why he’d moved it and he said he felt like it was out in the wind too much where it had been and he was afraid it was too cold for Cue to sit on out there. Isn’t that just like the wicked cat-killer from days past?

We’re convinced no one reads the Blog any more, so we’re posting a reward tonight. Anyone who comments on this Blog will receive a $20.00 VISA gift card from Elder and Sister Charlton. This offer expires at midnight December 8.