Transfers Again!

 Amazingly, August is half gone, our p-day disappeared without a trace, and the following day happened but we can't prove it.

Monday (p-day), we had 8 missionaries go home--7 had finished their missions and one had to end his Vietnam portion after one year for health reasons. It's always bittersweet to see these amazing missionaries go home; we had personally worked with 4 of them and I had interacted with 7 of them. But it's all part of the missionary world!  Allen and I were able to visit them at the mission home to say goodbye on Monday afternoon, which was fun. I gave them a final taste of my chocolate chip cookies, with which I try to buy the love of all the missionaries I come in contact with. 

Hey, whatever it takes! :) 

My favorite part of Tuesday was getting pictures of some of our grandkids. I'd show them all off, but I wouldn't know where to stop! So I'll just include one...

Andrea and Harper each began 4th grade on the same day this year. Talk about mixed feelings!

Tuesday evening was game night, and we met our new sister missionary who just transferred to our branch. She is from Hanoi, so she is familiar with the area already and was President Howell's (Mission President's) first missionary he set apart.

Wednesday was a hard day for one of our sisters, whose biological father passed away. Allen and I spent time with her and her companion on the evening of the funeral, and another senior couple stayed up with them to watch the funeral on zoom. It was a difficult day. Knowing the gospel is one of the most comforting things at such times.

Thursday was spent with a trip to the doctor for me--pesky cholesterol checkup--and then a walk before the rains came. We had a good time discovering yet another part of Hanoi. 

We first came across a historical site that was an abandoned pagoda--very interesting...

And then more narrow streets to walk down...

We Found this cool mural on the wall as we walked down the street...

And took a close up...

Then looked across the street from the mural and found a pagoda to explore!                                                

When we left the pagoda, we found the mural in real life!

It turns out this is a famous lake where a B-52 crashed, and it was left in the lake. There is now a museum called the B-52 Museum not too far away, which we will visit when we have more time.

They really memorialized this event in their murals...

This was a beautiful area...

It's surprising how many small lakes there are in the middle of the big city of Hanoi.

We are always surprised at the differences between the things allowed in Vietnam and what would be allowed in the U.S.  This cutie would never be able to ride on a scooter like this back home, but this is common-place in Vietnam. I'm grateful there are not more accidents that happen here, because this is just how life is.

Here are 3 of what we call the "ninja outfits" that the women wear while riding their scooters to protect their skin from the sun and the poor air.

And this is one of my new favorite pictures! We were on our way to the church, and this scooter was driving along next to us with the chicken perched on its handlebars. What?!??

Thursday evening was English activity, and Allen had a chance to participate in a lesson with the security guard, who was baptized a couple of months ago. Those are the most rewarding times on our mission, I think.

Friday was YSA, which is just beginning to take hold, and Saturday was, again, the busy day of the week. Allen had his meeting with the branch presidency, I had my music class--for which everyone was late--and then we had our English activity.

We didn't have the usual correlation meeting afterwards, so we were able to do dinner together!

The third Sunday of each month is a branch potluck, and my clam chowder is becoming a favorite, which is gratifying. There were a number of new foods to try this week.

Banh Bao is the white bun on the center-right. The pot holds apples cooked in a sweet-ish sauce, with Logan fruits(?) in it. And I also brought banana muffins.

Above on the left is mung beans in a ginger sauce, sweet, and below is Snake Fruit, which tastes similar to Durian, but is crunchy and is sweeter, in my opinion (but not a whole lot better). It's sometimes called Dragon Eggs, and you can see why.

Snake fruit. Yeah, no.

We are in agreement.

There is a birthday cake for everyone who has a birthday in August...

Allen and our branch president, Chu Tich Hieu.

And then the storm hit later in the afternoon, but luckily Allen made it home before it got too bad. And with every storm, there is a silver--or a gold--lining.

Have a wonderful week!

We look forward to a new adventure!