An Awkward Meal

In the last two places I've lived, feeding the missionaries was not your typical, sit-down-with-two-elders-and-have-a-meal affair. In Spokane, if you didn't have someone for the elders to teach in your home, then the mission president requested that dinner be brought to their apartment.....at 4:30 PM.

I did it once.

It was a horrible experience, never to be repeated again.

During our year in Salt Lake, I don't think I even met met any missionaries personally, and certainly didn't feed any.

So, during that first Sunday here, when the calender went around in Sunday School, I recognized the great opportunity having missionaries in our home is, and the example and exposure they provide for my boys, who I hope will do the exact same thing in the future, and signed up.

Unfortunately, I didn't have Jay's work schedule for July memorized. I must have thought with this new job, he'd have no problem managing to get home by 6:00. After all, he's no longer a resident or fellow and those late nights due to late add-on procedures, attendings too busy to check-out, and the red tape that comes along with teaching institutions, should be long over.

What I didn't count on was the fact that Jay would still be nervous, trying to learn a whole new computer and dictation system and triple checking his work to be as sure as he could be that his interpretation and differential was thorough. He's always telling me how he doesn't want to kill anyone, and that's the kind of goal I happily support.

The missionaries called around 3:00 and asked if 5:00 pm would work. Knowing there was no way in Hades that Jay would be home by then, I negotiated for 6:00, promising them that they'd be fed, watered and out the door in time for their 7:00 appointment.

They arrived promptly at 6:00. Jay did not.

As I opened the door, I confessed that Jay was still not home, and wondered if that would be a problem.

They looked at each other and replied, "Yes. I'm sorry. It's against the rules for us to come inside your home if your husband isn't here. But, it's alright. We can just wait outside."

Having absolutely no idea when Jay actually would get home, I convinced them to streak through the house (I'll close my eyes and plug my ears and pretend it never happened!) and relax on the chairs outside on the deck. They conceded and for the next twenty five minutes, the elders and the boys and I were awkwardly separated by a screen door.

I couldn't get a good shot with both of the elders from the dining room, so I snuck back to my master bedroom, which has it's own set of sliding doors to the deck, to take this picture.

Finally, with a sinking feeling that Jay might never show up before they had to leave, I begged them to let me bring them a plate of dinner out on the deck. I hope they didn't breaking a rule by saying, "yes" because it made me feel a lot better when they did. I scooped up two plates of beef enchiladas, black refried beans and homemade chips with guacamole and delivered them outside.

Then I scooted back to my neutral territory.

Henry enjoying his meal ( I had to pretend I was taking a picture of him because one elder turned while I taking pictures).

But, then, he turned back so I took a picture of my view. My food in front of me, a solitary table, and the people I feel like I should be talking only a few feet away.

They boys were hungry, so I fed them. Then I was hungry, so I ate. Then the missionaries said it was time to leave so they left.

Awwwwk-ward!

First of all, let me say that I'm grateful for missionaries who obey rules. I really am. I admire any young man for serving a mission, during those years of his life when he's just starting with school, an athletic career, or even a relationship. Society would convince them that it's the worst possible time to go, and yet they do it. And obey some seemingly absurd rules while they're at it. It's rather amazing, actually.

Secondly, I can appreciate that while their virtue was safe with me, and mine with them, I'm sure that the rule exists for a reason. (Shudder).

Lastly, I've had my fair share of excruciating conversations with young and sometimes immature elder missionaries. As strange as it seemed having them right outside on the deck, I was kind of glad to be relieved of my small talk duties.

In the end, they managed to leave my home with food in their bellies and a clear conscience. Still, the next time I sign up, I will make absolutely certain that I do it on Jay's day off.