Thou [God] art there

 

Seen better days


August 22, 2022 

The weather is cooling off a bit.  But for some reason now the bugs are more noticeable.  Saturday when I was with the Elders there were these swarms of gnats that seemed to like nothing better than to hover around our faces.  We visited a few people on their porches.  The people didn’t seem to be bothered by the gnats--probably because they had bigger problems.  One lady asked us to pray for a heroin addicted family member.  Yep, gnats are small problems.  Their homes were humble (and the vehicles out front were an interesting assortment of contrasts.) 

My other activities this week included teaching with the sister missionaries, teaching ESL, helping at the Women’s shelter, working at the bishop’s storehouse, and distributing food to refugees.   

At one refugee home I visited with a man and his wife who gave me yummy crushed watermelon juice to drink.  He had questions about his electric bill. (Thank goodness for Google Translate.)  He told me he had three children still in Afghanistan.  I felt so sad about this. I wish I knew how to be helpful.  I said I would pray for them.   

Sunset at a stop light


On the way home there was a beautiful sunset which I tried to photograph (while waiting at a traffic light.)  As I thought of all this beauty and sadness in the world, I thought of Psalm 139, “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”  I know God is with us in our highs and lows.  The psalm goes on to say, “If I…dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me…even the night shall be light about me.” (Psalm 139:8-11)

I have a friend who lives in darkness.  She lost her eyesight a couple years ago.  She was one of our speakers in church Sunday and she spoke of trusting God.  Yep, gnats are small, very small, problems. 

Keep looking for God. 

I love you all,  

❤️Sister Manwaring 

Hermanas and friends

Missionaries


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