Train Street--Check!

 Monday:

We've been waiting and waiting for a good day to go see Train Street in Hanoi. We needed a day not too hot, not too rainy, not too short, not too busy...  We finally got the right day. And it started to rain on us. So we went anyway!

We first decided it was time to eat Indian food from one of the many Indian restaurants in Hanoi. We chose Maazi in Old Quarter. The biggest problem we faced was not enough experience between the 6 of us to know what was good to order! Time for an Adventure!

As we waited for the Sisters to join us, we wandered the street and found a little pagoda, of course. It was crowded like your kitchen might be crowded, and they were preparing food to put as offerings for the ancestors. I've never seen fresh food offered this way before; it was very interesting.

The scrollwork is so ornate, and usually filled with dragons, like these. Sometimes, it has cranes, or turtles, etc.

It was a very cluttered pagoda, not like most that we see that are spacious and well-ordered. It looked like a well-loved and well-used small pagoda that the neighborhood cherishes.

We finally made it to the restaurant and enjoyed exploring the possibilities of food we didn't recognize but still enjoyed.

Then it was ON TO TRAIN STREET!!

It sprinkled on us as we walked, but our section of Train Street was mostly covered, which is why it looks a little darker. This was 3 pm and still bright in spite of being overcast. 

As we walked along the train tracks, owners of restaurants would accost us and attempt to win us over to their business. We had to choose early, by 2:40 pm, as the seats were filling up fast! As long as we bought at least a drink, we were welcome.

 

This was our District's first time to visit Train Street and our third time to see the train go by. I spent the time wisely by buying fridge magnets. 

A couple of months ago, there had been an incident where the train had taken out some small tables at a restaurant somewhere along the line, and we were afraid that would close Train Street for awhile. Instead, it seems to have slowed the train down. We still got to have the experience, but it was a lot slower than the last time we were here.

The missionaries enjoyed meeting people and had some good conversations.

It is so festive all along the tracks!

And so crowded!                                                                                           

It was a fun day.

Tuesday:

We received a surprising phone call last week, letting us know our apartment had been sold and we would need to move out no later than Thursday of this week. So Tuesday was our last District Council meeting in our old apartment...

Last batch of chocolate chip cookies!!

We called our missionaries into the church kitchen on Saturday afternoon and gave them the news that we had received word that due to circumstances beyond our control, we were going to have to move. It brought the sisters to tears, maybe not gushing, but they were wiping their eyes and were visibly upset. There were exclamations all around, and it turned into a good prank when we told them we were only moving 2 floors down and on the other side of the same building. Elder Romans later said he was kind of happy to hear the news, as he thought that might give him more chances to be assigned to our branch in the future, whereas he wouldn't be in Hai Ba Trung Branch for much longer and probably wouldn't return again while we are still here. That's a good feeling to hear things like that.

Same floor plan, just 2 floors lower; opposite sides of the building, so we have a better view.

Wednesday:

Moving day is never very fun, even when we have only a small apartment, and the furniture is (mostly) not ours. But it went quickly, and we were moved within 2 hours.

Moving IN, however, took a little longer. But we're all settled in now, finding out the little quirks of the new place that we'll need to get fixed. This apartment is a little larger than the old one, although the floor plan uses that space differently so we don't really benefit from it, except for in the larger bedrooms. The most important thing is that the oven came with us!!

Thursday:

Zone Conference is coming up soon, so President and Sister Howell will be interviewing all the young missionaries, as they do every 6 weeks. This time, they included the senior missionaries in the interview schedule by making a lunch date with us! That's the kind of interview I can get behind!

After lunch, they left to do more interviews and we left to explore the new area we were in--Cau Giay.

                                                                                                    Sidewalk barber-shopping...

Sidewalk Seamstress...

Little bakery...                                                                             

Awesome tree...

Friday:

We were invited to participate in the YSA soccer game. Allen was brave enough to play; I was chicken, as our District Conference (like Stake Conference) was Saturday and Sunday, and I was the pianist for about 12 songs; I didn't dare hurt my hands. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

He escaped without injury.

Weekend!!

Saturday afternoon and evening were spent at the District Center in a leadership meeting and the adult meeting. And Sunday morning, I got to be part of a last-minute duet, the first time I've really had the chance to sing in Vietnam! I loved it. I also was asked to be in charge of a missionary choir that sang a hymn Sunday morning. I do love working with these missionaries!

The Church in Vietnam is growing, but we can't help comparing it to what we're familiar with at home and we can't wait until they have that experience and strength here. We feel that's what we're here for, to help them see what they can become, and help them to develop the faith that will help them overcome their challenges with the Lord's help. We know that it's through following Jesus Christ that we can each gain the strength to overcome our trials, no matter our circumstances. They have so many pressures on them to not be a part of the Church, and it's so hard to commit to live the gospel. We are impressed by the ones who have found that deep faith and testimony, and who know why they keep their covenants, and we ache for the ones who are struggling. We hope we can help them find their faith and learn to trust the Lord. 

We are so grateful for the gospel. It has provided the framework of our lives and gives us hope and comfort in every circumstance. We are so grateful for our Savior. He wants nothing more than for each one of us to find joy and peace, eternally.