Valentine's Day

 Life is different when you are a Missionary.   I love to decorate the house for Valentine's day and think of something fun to do, make or go experience.  Really, my favorite part is making valentines.  None of that happened this year.  No decorations.  No dinner.  No dancing. We did eat chocolate.  That is probably a very important part of keeping up the status quo.  Just saying. It was okay because we are in Greece, right? When we were in Rome, we were told that we shouldn't make our blog a travel log.  It sounds a lot like the advice we get on testimony meetings.  So good luck to me. 

Hadrian's Library

We visited some of the ancient Greece sites that you see as you make your way to the Acropolis. I took this picture because it reminded me of how important cornerstones are to an arch.  We visited the Roman Agora that was built around 27-17 BC.  The Agora is a central public space and the center of athletic, artistic, business, social, spiritual and political life in the city.  

We are sporting hats that we bought.  Our heads thank us.  It is so amazing to be in a place that is so ancient.  

$5 Haircut

We had the fun experience of going to a different part of Athens where some of our missionaries have gone to get haircuts.  It was fun to watch her cut a young Greek's haircut according to his specifications and he knew what he wanted.  Elder Christensen was happy to tip her because she is saving her money to go to the Philippines to visit her mother for her 80th birthday. 

District Council

Transfers and video making increased our numbers.  It was a good meeting where we discussed attributes that we would like to develop in our lives.  I wasn't sure where I wanted to go with that but when I considered the three I would like to have as I try to be more Christ like, I was surprised at the ones I wrote down.  Probably because I don't usually take the time to consider that question. 

 We always feel a little sad at transfer time because we miss these great missionaries when they go somewhere else.  The good part is that we get new great missionaries to serve with.  I have told the missionaries that I post their pictures on my blog but we have gotten newbies so hopefully either they will never see the blog and Elder Garrick that says he reads my blog, will check out if there is a problem.   Just checking Elder Garrick.  

Elder Bednar said in a talk 2012 Ensign:  The enabling power of the Atonement of Christ strengthens us to do things we could never do on our own.   This is an important reminder for these young and senior missionaries because it is a hard thing to find people that will listen to their message.  I am grateful for missionaries that work through hard things and just keep trying each day to make the world a better place.   

We walk on this dirt path to the church.  Today we heard many bees buzzing!

These are almond trees along the path...can you see the old almonds? 

We walk past a lot of nurseries.  They are filling up with FLOWERS! Spring is around the corner.  It is still light at 6 p.m. Hurrah for seasons and change. 

Elder Bednar said: ...not to resist change. 

Embrace it. Learn from it. The essence of our mortal experience is to not remain the same.