Kasper Sabbatical

1st Picture: Sarika's daughter on left end, Then Sarika and Sam.
2nd Picture: Anji sitting next to Elder Kasper. Sister Lyerly by me.
After we finished at the church Sister Lyerly and myself in one Auto and Elder Kasper and Lyerly in another and we went to the BIG BAZAAR. It’s the new thing in Hyderabad and if you have been to the Big Bazaar you are cool. It’s a 6 story shopping mall. They had what I call a “Blue Light Special” while we were there. There were about 5 young men calling out “50% off” and I don’t remember what else they were saying but I caught their eye (because I’m white and everyone stares at you) and I was laughing at how they were doing their sell. They were trying to get me to come buy…….but we were headed in a different direction. We were meeting some people the Lyerly’s know. Sarika and her daughter, Anji, husband of Sarika….and Sam a good friend. Anji works for LV Prasad as the administrator. LV Prasad is an eye Institute that does surgery. Sam and Sarika have a jewelry business. They have natural pearls and emeralds and etc…….for a good price!!! They took us to very nice restaurant in the top of the BIG BAZAAR called “REYDHANI” a Vegetarian Thali Hindu Restaurant. They put all kinds of curry and sauces and breads in tiny little bowls on our huge stainless steel tray. We had 5 different waiters. They pour warm water for us to wash our hands at the beginning and the end. We had such food as follows.
A. pureed lentils with molasses and warm!
B. Mango juice
C. Mango pudding (it’s mango season until mid June so now is the time to eat)
D. Okra
E. Pureed spinach with cottage cheese
F. Yougurt curry
G. Onion balls with about 4 different dips
H. Very spicy potato curry
I. Flat bread, puff ball bread and a biscuit with something sweet inside
A lot of things I couldn’t identify. Sarika tried to explain. I wish I had a better picture of her to show who she is. They paid for our dinner and laughed at Elder Kasper because he had a hard time with the warm. But he enjoyed the experience and neither one of us got sick. I’m sure we’ll see them again as Anji sings in the community choir that Elder Lyerly sings in. Anji started the choir several years ago and is very proud of himself. They are doing a concert this next week and we will attend. If we like the choir, dad and I will join. Anji said they would love to have us.
We came home in an Auto and this time we knew we were headed in the right direction! That’s such a good feeling! No wrong turns and directly to our apartment.
The other good news is neither of us got sick. I quite liked the food and Elder Kasper thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A lot of it was very "Spicy" and I'm sure would kill anything that came near it!

While at the church on Saturday, Mary (the only common name I know) who went with us to the Orphanage (she has just been married for a few months and it is a "Love Marriage") came up to stand by me. We said a few friendly things then I wanted to find Elder Kasper. Mary was walking beside me, looking at my skirt and watching my every move. She asked me if I got my skirt in the USA. Touched it! Being very observant of my every move. I told her yes but I liked her clothes better. That made her happy. She continued to follow me and mimic me. If I walked slow or stopped she would. It was very funny to see her do what I did. She wanted me to come to 1st Branch to church today. I told her I must go to 2nd as we are working with 2nd branch. It’s funny how fast I can see myself growing to love these people. (Her picture is with the Orphanage section of my blog)

Top Picture: Teachers and Children
2nd picture: Mary from the branch and children at Orphanage
3rd Picture: Shanti who started the Orphanage 9 years ago.
4th Picture: Shanti and children of the Orphanage.,
5th Picture: Workers building the chairs with church donated money. They are also building tables.


Saturay was a great day! I went to the orphanage with Sister Lyerly.The LDS Chapel is just a few months old and it is within 10 minutes walking distance from our apartment. The Lyerly’s picked us up and we went to the church with them. Sister Lyerly introduced me to several of the women in the 1st branch. Almost all of them are sisters who are Tia, Kristina and Rebecca’s age. It was like being with my daughters. They were so cute and fun to be around. We spent sometime visiting with these sisters and each of them had a bag of things they collected to take to the ORPHANAGE. We rented a Taxi (real vehicle) and about 8 of us went to the orphanage.
The Orphanage was started 9 years ago by a young girl named Shanti. Again she is about Tia and Kristina’s age. She told us this was her dream that has come true. It is an orphanage for children with disabilities. Parents of children with disabilities don’t know how to handle these children and often abandon them to the streets. So they have taken these children in and Shanti has 32 full time children. There are another 40 that come part time. She works with there parents to teach them how to care for these children and how to teach them. There were probably 8 teachers, plus Shanti, her mom who does all the cooking for the children, and the secretary. We toured the orphanage and visited the children. The church has donated money for furniture (tables and chairs) and workers were there working on building the chairs. I need to mention here that the Lyerly’s are humanitarian missionaries. The church supports Non Government Organizations all over the world. Needless to say, we were treated like royalty. There was a great honoring that happened after we toured the orphanage. We sat at the head of the table and they praised us for what we had done. (I had done nothing) Then they wanted a speech from Sister Lyerly and myself. I told them they were to be honored not us! That the Lord would be pleased with the service that their many hands had rendered. They were doing a great service to care for these children and we were honored to know them! The orphanage was one of those experiences I shall never forget! The girls from the ward that were with us were in the Relief Society presidency and they are anxious to do more for the Orphanage.

We got to the MTC on Sunday about noon. Just in time for lunch. As you see Tia, Porter and Selah were our chauffers!! After saying our goodbyes Ted & I made our way to the cafateria and had lunch with a zillion young Elders. While eating, Elder Jason Thompson made his way to our table to say hello. He fits in quite nicely here! We probably wouldn't have recognized him if he hadn't come to us as he looks like a zillion other elders all dressed in dark pants and white shirts!
We thoroughly enjoyed our 1st day here. We attended two meetings that spiritually uplifted us. We had several opportunitites to meet and mingle with other senior missionaries. All of which are going to various places. At one of the meetings we attended they said 305 missionaries will be leaving the MTC this week. 50 to Argentina and 35 to Japan. None to India and for Kurt and Linda's information...2 to Nigeria. (serving at the temple...not your mission) (sorry)'
In closing I just want to quote one of the messages we heard last night!
From Brother Pinegar: "The Lord won't make you Obey, but he will make you wish you had."
Isn't that the truth.

We are official missionaries as of last night. Kent & JaNell, Patricia, Tia, Matt, Kirk and Lynn joined us as Pres Price set us apart. We appreciated the words of encouragement from both President Price and President Kunz. We felt so blessed to have Kent, Kirk and Matt stand in to help set us apart. It was especially nice to have our son participate in setting us apart. The blessing we were given covered every aspect of concern we had. We both went in with butterflies in our tummies, but came out feeling calm, cool and collected.
We left home today and will spend a couple of days in SLC with Tia, Porter and Selah!