Monkey Sunday

We had our own church in our room this morning.  The older 3 prepared their own talks (which were fabulous.)  They picked a scripture story and told about what it meant to them.  Sam spoke on service and used the "For The Strength of Youth" pamphlet.  Sometimes you forget how capable your children are.   Ashton and Tyler bore their testimonies about Jesus.  Ty could not stop laughing as he gets embarrassed easily.  It was a "teenage moment" for me as well.  I tried so hard not too laugh at him.  I put my head down behind Ashton and tried to control myself.  We all got the giggles.  I have got to learn how to not do that.  Matt and I both said a few words about having the "Love of God" in our hearts. Our kids are great, but they are the normal kids that like to tattle tale, tease, hit, and make each other crazy-well, everybody except for our angel of a daughter Olivia.

  It drives the boys CRAZY that she never gets in trouble.  One day the boys were being "talked to" about their behavior.  After I walked away Olivia said to the boys, "Guys!  If you just do what mom and dad want you won't get in trouble."  She has figured out the golden request of all parents.  Yesterday Sam said, "I'm going to act like Olivia today."  He started talking in a girl voice...We urged him to act like her all day.  He never got in trouble once the whole time he was doing it....haha

Anyway, we spoke on 4th Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  This is what we read, "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.  And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, not lyings, nor any manner of lasciviousness;and surely there could not be a happier people who had been created by the hand of God. And how blessed were they!  For the Lord did bless them in all their doings;yea even they were blessed and prospered...and there was no contention in all the land."  Ahhh...no contention.  How would that be?  We talked about trying to live with out contention and what that meant.  If we all chose to be peacemakers, to put the other person's feelings first, and to not react when someone hurts or teases us-we could live without contention, be blessed in all our doings, and be some of the happiest people on earth.  If that could only happen overnight!
After church we headed back to the Safe Haven Orphanage to bring more food and every day items they had on a list.  They were so, so grateful.  And as always, we loved being there.  We decided to go eat a very late lunch at a place that was recommended.  It was at the top of a hill and was supposed to have a view of all of Phuket Town.  We found our way and after lunch we walked out to this in the middle of the park...

 There was a whole family of monkey's traveling through.  There were probably 50 of them.  Riding an elephant, holding pythons, and now hand feeding monkeys.  It was amazing!!

At first we didn't know if they were friendly or not.

We also didn't know that you didn't tease them by holding your hand out and then taking it back because you were scared--this one grabbed Ashton's shirt and completely scared him.
But, then we realized they just wanted to take it out of your hand.

Can you believe that?  After the kids all had a turn feeding them, they were off.  Serendipity.

We then decided to get lost and go through some little villages.  That is always my favorite part.  Soaking up how the people live.  Here are a couple of things that caught our attention...

I LOVE this picture.  A Sunday afternoon drive about.  I guess I just love the simplicity of it.

 This baby could not be more than 2 months old.  Don't think this would pass the "car seat test" back home.

From what we've seen, a great many people live in houses like these.  They are made with scrap sheet metal.  It is very humbling.

We happened upon a group of man playing a game that we had never seen before.  It was a net about 5 and a half feet off the ground attached to 2 tall pieces of wood.  It was volleyball but you only used your feet and head.  The ball was about twice as big as my fist and it was woven together.  They made it look easy, but that game takes some serious talent.

We are in search of one of those balls.  My boys, including Matt, are dying to try it.

We then saw another spot of monkey's.  This was a little area where they were distanced by a river.  But, there was a baby monkey there that was probably born within the week, if not that day.  He was still wet and never left his mother.

A nursing monkey, I remember those days.  This little monkey has a piece of banana on her head-doesn't it look like the kind of bows they give you at the hospital?! 

No baby Bjorn needed.

"Kuhpenkah"

If anyone says hello, goodbye,  or thank you here, they put there hands together and bow and say "Kuhpenkah."  Charlotte has become very good at it and I love watching her do it. The little girls curtsey when they do it.  It is one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

That was the end of our Monkey Sunday.  One to remember!