Egg Crown

 While in the market a lady came walking in front of the car to the side wearing a plate of eggs (yes round regular eggs) all stacked up on the pate like a crown.

I thought they were in some kind of mold. No! They are stacked on one another. I had Eugene ask for two eggs and she put her 'crown' down and I could see they were just eggs stacked 5 up. There was something drizzled on them. I found out it is a cassava salt and water that makes a glue that is put on the eggs to stick them together.

The lady gave me a peeled egg without pepper and gave Eugene an egg with red pepper sauce and onions. The little pink container has red pepper sauce and onion, and the small green container has green pepper sauce. She peels the egg, slices it open and puts pepper sauce and onions in it - for those who want pepper.

Ladies with Talents

 Comfort came over to bring fried rice dinners and make an egg stew for us. While she was here, Erica and her daughter stopped by to say hello. I contracted with Erica to have her bring her shea butter lotion for the ladies at the temple. She is also going to make my friend a braided headband like the one Erica already. made me.  I am surrounded by ladies with great talents!

Comfort talks on the phone and sets up the meals

Hug from "grandma"

She calls all of us grandma

I cannot duplicate this!

Best Way to Bargin

 When Eugene and I went to the market on Friday, I stayed in the car while he went around negotiating prices and buying everything I needed for the week and for food sacks. We got double food sacks as Sister Braunberger wants food sacks also.

If I had stepped out of the car and gone to look at anything, the price would have risen automatically. It is a white tax. Of course white people have more money so they can pay more is the common belief. So I just stay in the car after giving Eugene my list and money. Works like a charm.

Easy shopping for less cedis!

A good man - Eugene

Sister Braunberger's food sack supplies

Baking day

 The intrepid Amberlee Dredge was at my house on Saturday baking banana muffins and making bread for the first time. I felt bad as her plans with young people had fallen through. Jeffrey had invited her over just in case she was all alone for the weekend. So she hung out with old people! While the bread was rising, Jeffrey talked to her about gatherings of all different kinds in the scriptures. 

I love that she will try new things.

Just a little sticky

Success!

Nephi

 Sitting in a car waiting for others to come back, I noticed a sign across the street. I had to ask Eugene how it is pronounced and asked whether it was male or female. 

He said, "Ne-f-e" and it could be male or female. Very interesting that this name is still in existence from 600 b.c. Though we say it Nee-f-i and think of it as male and know the name as a prophet of God.

Girls Having Fun

 What fun it is to see the other ALC wives living in or near Africa in Morocco! Gayla Allen lived in the Clayton 1 Ward with two little boys and then moved away a long time ago. It has been nice to catch up on her life and doings. Marie Stanford, I met in London where we connected on a bus going to a tour. She grew up in France until she moved to Canada when she was twelve. She seems to adapt and find a good place wherever she goes. We all met Merri Gilespie who is serving in Abu Dhabi opening up the new Area. What an adventure she is having! Getting staff, getting new apartments and having the help of one senior couple to help run and organize. The seventy who is president lives in Utah, but the two counselors live in Abu Dhabi. Lots of phun!

Linda Ann, Gayla, Marie, and Merri

We skipped out of the last day of classes and took a train to Marrakech and a famous shopping place, Jemaa El-Fnaa Square. I am pretty sure I've seen this place in a movie somewhere. 

We rode coach going to Marrakech and Merri bought first class tickets back to Ben Guerir. It was a shared paying as none of us had coins or the right Dirham bills. So we paid for each other during the day and Merri figured it all out when we got back. 

I was the one to fall into the first tourist trap. Cobras dancing to the music. But really I think they only care about the hat coming their way and had no interest in the music played for the tourist.

The salesman [though I only paid him 30 dirham as I knew he wouldn't have change for my 200 bill]

Gayla and Merri had distinct ideas of what they wanted to buy. I had never heard of a pouf, but off we went through the colorful beautiful market. The grocery vegetables and fruit were sold outside in wheeled stands with awnings. Other items were inside a long building with wings coming out at regular intervals. 

It is better to have a goal than to wander looking. There are temptations everywhere and lots of "reasons" to spend. I was able to limit myself to one small bag and a cobra video - nice. There were all kinds of things bought, like coasters, sunglasses, etc. but the poufs (collapsed, not filled) were the highlight.

The owner stands in the center and dishes out what is wanted from there with little scoops and bags.

As I didn't come to buy, I was happy I didn't buy lots of materials - good thing my suitcase was a carryon and didn't have any room to spare.

We had so much fun, roaming, chatting, and negotiating for the poufs. We had a nice lunch overlooking the square and then went home. In the first class section there is air-conditioning, good seats, and someone comes to sell you snacks. That was fun too.

Looking over the balcony

For a few more dollars, there is a lot more comfort

Merrie sent a picture after going back home of her poufs filled and set out. Gayla sent the advertisement of the poufs cost in America. I think both had the feeling they had gotten a good deal - if of course you don't count the cost of the flight to get to Morocco.

Looking good - they cost a little over $30 each

President Nelson's Conference address

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/57nelson?lang=eng

You can listen to President Nelson's Conference address, "Confidence in the Presence of God" in the above link. I have been thinking about it for a few weeks now. 

As you may or may not know, I am a visual and manipulative learner. Jeffrey is an analytic learner, and I know a few auditory learners also. But I am a hands on or "show me through a story" type of student. Words just fly over my head unless I can "see" them. So....President Nelson's talk in conference........

As a preface, Michael is the only one who said, "Whatever", when I asked if I could talk about him on my blog. I got a few adamant no's and some maybe not's from the others. So just because I'm using Michael's story doesn't mean God isn't in the details of my other children.

So Michael's Eagle project story came to mind while studying President Nelson's talk about charity and virtue being vital to approaching God.

First, I obtain an assurance:

I asked if an Eagle project could drop into Michael’s lap as the other two projects we came up with didn’t thrive. Todd Porter said benches were needed at a day care for those waiting to pick up their children.

Second, I was not defensive, critical, or judgmental of those who declared the project was too hard and would take too long for the time allotment. That falls under charity.

Third, while asking for God’s continual help, we didn’t waver through roadblocks and obstacles in doing this project. Virtue is steadfastness, excellency, value, etc. We tried to do the very best we could on this project while negotiating approval (I personally wrote Michael’s project up with the fussy, persnickety woman who gives final approval in mind). Michael built a model out of popsicle sticks. According to Michael’s report, she was amazed and loved the project and write-up. Another of God’s tender mercies.

Keeping the assurance in mind and counting each miracle, we persevered (virtue again) in getting supplies, people, safety measures, and permissions needed. I think God touched a few hearts as some of those who said it couldn’t be done were our greatest strength in completing the project. 

President Nelson promised: “We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hope.”  Micheal and I can witness that God does answer our prayers, he will turn hearts toward us. He can make things happen that ‘exceed our greatest hope.’

The last example is on the day Michael and I were trying to get everything lined up for his board of review. We had spent the greater part of the day after school (he got out early that day) making sure we had every bit of paperwork done – meaning we were running around to stores getting safety specifics – so that the director at the scout office would sign off. 

The director looked through the papers, found them in order – and then said, “You don’t have your reference letters yet.” He wanted to put signing off to another month. When Michael came out where I was waiting in the car and told me what the man said – I reminded Michael of all the miracles that had happened and told him to go back and show the man the policy in the directions that said we didn’t need the reference letters to get signed off. As Michael went in again, I prayed that the man’s heart would be softened, and permission would be granted. It was. 

I know that trying to do the right thing, not getting defensive or judgmental at people, and remaining steadfast with the assurances from God will make miracles happen.

Michael and Michael getting their Eagle Scout awards together

p.s. I was dismayed to find I hadn't written up this miraculous story  in 2011 or 12! Listening to conference.......makes a difference.