1,000 Hygiene Kits and a Wild Ride

Saturday, October 25

Do we look like we just had a plane trip half-way around the world and are suffering from a big fat case of jet lag?  No matter, Working on the service project was in the plan, so we did it.  Check out those matching shirts!

Next stop the mall to buy groceries.  This is probably one of the largest grocery stores we've ever seen--even bigger than Walmart.  We picked up a few things and for the most part we new what they were.  The cost was 120,000.

Fashions for the well-dressed Arab woman.

We left Amman to drive to our our apartment in Husn after dark.  It was 1 1/2 hours away and the Hammonds led us in their car and we followed in ours.  We only lost them a couple of times.  (I get really panicked when we do that).  They showed us our new home and then they left.  Now we were all alone and we had no idea where we were.  There were gunshots but we assume there was a celebration going on.  We were so tired we didn't care.

Friday Sabbath

Friday, October 24

Going to church on Friday is going to take a bit of getting used to but that's when they have the Sabbath here.  At 9:20 we went out the door of the missionary apartment, walked down the hallway and into the chapel.  (Much more convenient than driving 4 blocks to the church at home!)  There was a large congregation because the two branches met together for the children's Sacrament Meeting presentation.  Everything was well done, the Sunday school was outstanding as was Relief Society.

Most of the people attending were either from the embassy, BYU students or ex-pats working in Amman, so they had some real strength.  The children were darling.  We met some very interesting people from all over the world, including an outstanding couple from Norway and an army chaplain from Payson!  When we were ready to go home all we had to do was walk back down the hall, unlock the door and go into the apartment where Sister Hammond had  lovely dinner for the couples.  We enjoyed beef in gravy over potatoes, salad and homemade bread.  Followed by pie of course.  Just like home--NOT!!

The Beautiful Amman Center

We spent our first two nights in Jordan at the brand new Amman center in downtown Amman.  The Amman center is the entire second floor of an office building and is the first church owned property in Jordan.  Elder Holland will come to dedicate the center in November. 

We took the elevator up from the underground parking lot and as soon as the doors opened and we stepped off, we saw a huge painting of Christ hanging on the wall.  Instantly, a warm sweet reverent feeling surrounded us and we felt like we were entering and walking on holy ground. (which is amazing since we were on the second floor).  

The center will have several uses--a large modern conference room for visitors to come and have humanitarian meetings, etc., meetinghouse facilities for two large branches, and a large apartment for the senior couple with 2 guest rooms for visitors, like us and the other couple.  All the furnishings were shipped from Salt Lake.  It couldn't be nicer.  

Welcome to Jordan!

Ron and Sandi Hammond, the senior missionary couple in Jordan, were at the airport to meet us, but they had to wait over an hour because our luggage was the last off the plane.  The three-month supply of medications Lynn had in his bag set off a security alarm, but the issue was soon resolved and we were on our way.  Lynn is an expert in dealing with big burly security guards.

The evening weather was very pleasant and the airport was clean, well lit and safe.   We had a nice ride into town, about 35 minutes .  As we were going along I looked out the window and noticed several young men holding AK-47s riding in the back of two pickup trucks a short distance away.  Suddenly they fired off a few shots into the air.  I looked over at Sandi in surprise and she quickly explained that it's fairly common for people to shoot their guns when they're celebrating something.  No worries.  Whew!!  Glad to hear that!!

The trip to Amman

We left for Jordan on Wednesday morning and arrived in Jordan the next afternoon--20 hours later. Actually it wasn't a bad trip--taking an Ambien really helped.

Endless details

Preparing to go on a mission is a lot of work!

Paint the house . . . . .

Tear up the garden . .  (so sad!)

Do a ton of paperwork  . . .

Sell the car . . .