** DAY 28 -- A Foreign Language

Yesterday I had the opportunity to review some of the materials that the Church has sent us.  Twenty percent of our time is going to spent in the Perpetual Education Fund.  I watched a video showing the introduction of this program with President Hinckley.  Then it showed how this program has helped many, many people around the world.

I also reviewed a "class" we may be teaching interested parties.  The Lord could see how to help underprivileged nations improve their lives by helping them overcome a financial obstacle with short term loans.  I can't wait to help in  that work.  Of course I will have to find that extra twenty percent of our time to give there.

Bonnie received a notice from the church suggesting that she prepare to teach music.  There are many down there who would love to know how to lead music.  I am sure there are many down who will love to learn to sing in a group. That is another one of Bonnie's talents, getting people to sing under her direction.  Maybe she will put together a small group of singers and tour the mission.  Maybe she will have a group that rivals Diana Ross's group?  ;)

Bonnie is SO DEDICATED in her study of Spanish. She is constantly studying the rules and regulation of Spanish, practicing, and asking questions.  She is making great progress.  However, as she learns whether a word is feminine or masculine, she is always asking why this word is feminine, and who "whoever" organized the language did this or that? Why do they make so many irregular verbs and words?  Why can't it be more logical?  No matter how many "why's" she continues to make great progress.

She keeps reminding herself that "It is a foreign language" and I keep reminding her that she will be proficient in speaking that foreign language as she continues.

Once in a while I can be doing some of the million things we have to do, and I get this "aha" moment and realize that we are going on a mission.  We are going to serve the Lord for as many hours each day as we can find.  We are going to be serving a people far away who are hungry for truth, instruction, and who are Father's children desiring that Bonnie and I come and live among them and share whatever we know with them.  It is a humbling feeling to realize that truth.  It also gives us a gratitude that Father has called us to the Dominican Republic and He has confidence in what we can, and will do.