Catch-up 2 ...DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!

This was a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) we spent with the young missionaries at a Bienestar home, which is the equivalent of a Welfare situation. The boys in Lucy's house are not orphans, but for whatever reasons, their parents are not able to care for them. She can have as many as 14 or 16 boys ranging in age from 11 or 12 (Ithink) up to 16 or 17. Anyway, any time we have gone, they have been so receptive, we always get lots of hugs. Wayne has gone to play basketball with them, and of course, they all know our family, and snow!, from the pictures we have shown.
This night, the young elders were in charge of the lesson, and we came along for support.



Elder Ureta had a bunch of chocolate, and they decided the price of the chocolate was to be paid in push-ups! The elders had them try doing push-ups properly. Let me add, Elder Moen is a football player (some univerisity in Washington state. ). He is an exercise nut, and it shows! The boys struggled with doing even one, correctly. PERFECT!!! Elder Moen said he would do the push-ups necessary for them to receive their candy.






By the time Elder Moen had "paid the price" for about 11 or 12 boys, he was sweating, panting, and of course, very tired, and in pain. (Did I mention he also has quite a flair for drama?) Seriously, at this point he had done over 500 push-ups. When he asked if the boy in blue wanted his chocolate, the reply was, " Well yes, but you are kinda tired, so you don't have too." Again, E. Moen assured them that he wanted to do this for them because he loved them.

I think the guy in the yellow shirt wanted "to feel his pain". Elder Moen, over and over, would tell them, " because I love you, I want to do this for you so that you can have the joy of eating your chocolate."









By the time Elder Moen got to this last young man, he was not sure he wanted to take the candy. Again, Elder Moen assured him that he wanted to do it for him, just as he had for all of the others...out of love. The candy was usually given first, so they had it as they watched "him pay the price". Some times the price was 50, sometimes 25, sometimes 100 push-ups, Elder Ureta set the price, and Elder Moen would agree to pay it.


This last young man was right next to Elder Moen during each set of push-ups and so he, particularly, was very aware of the sweat, the difficulty, the pain, unselfishness, love, etc., that Elder Moen had been feeling/demonstrating. Also, the young men at the beginning were not so serious about the price because E. Moen made it look fairly easy, but as they began to see how many times E. Moen would have to "suffer", all eyes were on him.





This last foto was very touching to me, and I'm so glad I caught it, because when Elder Moen had just finished the push-ups for candy, and the last young man wanted to give Elder Moen back his candy, instead of keeping it for himself. Wasn't this a great example of the Atonement for these young men. It was of course followed by a discussion of the Atonement, and the price Jesus Christ paid for our sins. They all participated, and it was a very special evening.






Of course Elder Jenson is NOT going to be demonstrating this lesson! But thanks for thinking it was possible!


Don'tcha' just love this mission-stuff!!!


Love, and thanks for all your love and support we feel from you notes. Long or short, they are important to us, as you all are.


Los Hermanos Jenson