The Elders, Chandler (and a Elder trading with Elder Collins,) Elder Russell gave a great message. They asked what the family remembered from 1 Nephi chapter 8. Their 13 year old daughter said she could recite the whole thing. She proceeded to tell us the whole story of the iron rod, tree, etc. I was so amazed. She is very intelligent and uses adult-like comments and words to communicate. I was so shocked she knew so much. She said she couldn't wait to be missionary.
Nicki hadn't been there for dinner but arrived after we were finished and then the Elders had to leave for another appointment. Before they left they asked what the family could do to help find people to teach so this branch could grow into a ward. They mentioned that the church had property right next to Sunset school to build on (yea, that's by our place). The kids jumped in and said they had several friends they could invite over next time for dinner!
After the Elders left I asked Nick and Nicki if they wanted to continue having these Wednesday night dinners or if it was too much for them to do. They both just went on and on about how they loved having us and Nick said it was a long time from Sunday to Sunday without any spiritual thoughts. The 13 year old said it was their Family Home Evening! They said Nicki wanted to be baptized but in the ocean and she is just too busy for baptism now. Then Nick went on to tell how hard Nicki is working while he is working on a new job to finance them so she doesn't have to work so much. Nick is an entrepreneur. He said she is pretty exhausted all the time. She was very friendly and said how much she loved us. Nick said he had our phone number under "favorites" and he had very few "favorites" on his phone. We came away feeling like they loved doing this and having us over. We also talked about Nick getting his patriarchal blessing and he said he had done everything except call for an appointment. I suggested he might like to fast and pray before receiving it.
We talked quite a while to the parents about the church. I mentioned my feelings about the wonderful programs for the children and that very few churches offer this for families. They heartily agreed. Nicki said how she had grown up around Mormons in Simi Valley California and her parents let her and her siblings go to the church activities all the time. We talked a long time about the goodness of this church. The service the church offers worldwide and Nick said he was even asked to teach a Priesthood lesson once. We talked about our opportunity to grow by being active participants in the running of the wards etc. They were so on top of everything. I hope we are here when they can get Nicki baptized and then go to the Temple with their family for the blessing the sealing will offer.
I made a little progress with the 6 year old, who never talks and is extremely shy. She is really blond and has short curly hair and is like a little sprite, she runs every where and won't talk to you or be near you. This night after I had managed to whisper a few things in her ear as she sat on her dad's lap next to us, she actually listened. I took my phone out and showed her some pictures of my grandkids playing around on the tramp, hot tub, pool, and slip and slide. I finally turned my phone over to her to look all she wanted. Pretty soon she had run off and got her little phone (an old one) and she showed me pictures she had taken of her Love bird, the parrots etc. So progress was made. She is darling and I hope we become friends.
This is such a neat choice family.
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