McKenzie's Zone Conference Dash

We met this new investigator this week who invited us over to teach her at her hair salon.  This hair salon is the funniest thing I have ever seen.  It looks like it is strait out of the 50s.  The workers there all wear matching pink skirt and jacket combinations with dark tights.  It is a salon exclusively for men, so there are all these old Taiwanese men there getting their hair washed and toe nails cut.  Our investigator is the owner and she is dressed differently than her workers in very extravagant, fancy clothing.  We joke that it looks like they are all about to break into song and dance!

On Thursday, we had Zone Conference, which was really great  because it really gets you all pumped up to do the work.  Sister Jarvis and I were walking back with our large Costco bag full of proselytizing materials.  She had one strap on her shoulder, and I had one strap on mine.  Because Sister Jarvis is about 5 inches taller than me the poor girl was carrying most of the weight.  And I even felt like my side was heavy!  We got to the train station with plenty of time, but for some reason the elders who were behind us felt like we were in a huge rush. Not wanting to be too slow and miss the train, we followed them as they ran through the train station.  At one point, I was talking on the phone to an investigator while we were waiting for the train and everyone rushes to get on the train.  I am running and trying to sound totally calm and like nothing is happening while I ask this investigator when she can meet next.  It was pretty funny.  Sometimes it is just so easy to follow what other people are doing even when what they are doing really is not necessary. After all, we had plenty of time.   
  
Coming back from Zone Conference, we were running behind schedule, and I very, very, very irresponsibly left our appointment’s number at home. I literally had no way to get in touch with her to tell her we were going to be late.  Sister Jarvis and I said a prayer that she would either forget or call us.  We had set up the appointment a long time ago and were hoping there would be a good chance that she would forget.  Her appointment was at six, but we got to the church at 6:30.  She pulls up on her scooter.  We asked her if she had been waiting, and she said no she had just gotten there.  We were so grateful!  We initially had another lesson set up for 6:30, but it was cancelled earlier in the day.  We had a member set up for the 6:30 lesson who I had tried to cancel but couldn’t get in touch with.  They perfectly both showed up at the same time, and we had the lesson.  The lesson actually went really badly as our investigator came to return the Book of Mormon because she decided she only needs the Bible that if we didn't take the Book of Mormon she was going to throw it away.  Despite all of that, it was a huge blessing that we hadn't accidentally stood up this already very angry investigator.  It also gave our less active member a chance to share her testimony about Joseph Smith. 

For two move-calls, we have been trying to get in touch with Shen Jiemie's - a less active member.  We finally caught her at home!  She was cleaning and didn't want us to come in right then but said that she could come to the church that night and meet with us.  She said she would have to check her schedule, but if it wasn't going to work she would call and cancel.  We left her with our number and said a special prayer that she wouldn't cancel as it kind of felt like that was what she was intending to do.  It got to 6:30, and she still hadn’t called to cancel.   

She showed up at the church, and as we started the lesson. She told us that she joined the church about 10 years ago when she was a young woman.  She said that for years she thought she should come back but kept putting it off for fear that keeping the commandments would be too hard.  She made a deal with herself that the 3rd time the sisters came by to find her she would come back.  Well, Sister Jarvis and I were time number 3, but after we left, she was getting cold feet and thought she would call to cancel.  She looked and looked and looked for our cell phone number but couldn't find it anywhere.  She even called the church but no one answered.  She took at as a sign that she needed to go to our appointment.  She came, and it went really well. She is really committed to coming back to church.  She joked that an angel grabbed the card we wrote our number on and took it away.  It was a really cool experience because it was clear that we needed to be in that place at that time. 

Riding the Bamboo Train

Last P-day we went to this place called the Bamboo Train.  It is just a typical flat bed that is made out of bamboo and then you roll down the track going fairly fast – sometimes close to 20 mph.  It was all run by what looked like a lawn mower engine.  It was pretty fun and then on our way back as we rode the bamboo train it just started to pour.  It was a pretty crazy experience.  Riding on a bamboo bed on a railroad track in the middle of Cambodia going 15 to 20 mph in the middle of rice fields and forests in the pouring rain – who else can do that?  It was pretty fun.  

I now am training Elder Chan.  He is actually from Sen Sok; I knew him while I was down there.  He is an incredible example of faith and strength.  Let’s just say that he has gone through a lot.  I am really impressed with his ability to teach.  He teaches really well, and he is a hard worker.  It is really fun to be with him, and I think we are going to get along great.  I am happy to be back with Khmae companions.  I liked being with an American for a month and a half, but I feel just fine and happy with my Khmae brothers.   

I had some fun experiences teaching him some things that seem basic to us.  He was not aware that you cannot wash black pants with white shirts.  I taught him how to start a washing machine.  Ironing might be next week.  He does not like our shower head so he has been showering Khmae style, which just involves scooping water onto your body with a bowl.
  

Driving the Bamboo Train

We saw a miracle with Malis. She told my companion that she talked to her parents and that they pretty much just told her that she can do whatever she wants as long as it makes her happy. After hearing that I started to do a little bit of celebrating, and then the next sentence I heard was that she wanted to wait to the middle of next month to be baptized. As missionaries, we want people to be baptized as they are hitting the peak of their conversion.  Often they wait too long, and they just lose that desire.  Malis has learned everything and she obviously is not perfect in her faith, but she believes and prays, and she knows that Heavenly Father has answered her prayers.

Well, I really did not know what to teach her, and I did not know what to do.  She has everything she needs.  Her husband is a good member, she has friends at church, she felt the spirit, she believes it is true, etc.  Well, we decided we were going to meet her last night and talk about eternal marriage and the temple.  We taught it and talked about how awesome the temple and eternal marriage can be, but that you must be a member and be baptized to go.  Well, at the end of the lesson she committed to being baptized next Saturday.  She is ready.  She said she will be baptized.  I do not know if the lesson on the temple helped her decision, but I feel like that might have just pushed her over the top.  So, that was a really cool part of the week.

Dog Meat

I ate dog this last week.  It was actually very bony and fatty.  Next time I will try to get only meat.  It was pretty tasty though.  They serve it with the inside of the bananas trees.  

Driving the Bamboo Train

I am really loving reading the Bible lately.  The New Testament is just awesome.  

Luke 12:4-5

 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

That is just a great verse.  Do not fear man, just fear God who can kill you and then send you to hell.

Book of Mormon Arches and Spilled Soup in Taiwan

This is a picture of our zone at an activity we had where we all shared stories of how the Book of Mormon has blessed us and the lives of our investigators.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  It truly contains the words of prophets who act as the Lord's mouthpiece.  I am always so touched by the unfailing diligence and faithfulness of the writers of the Book of Mormon even when everyone else around them was not choosing the right.  We can and should follow God no matter what those around us are doing.  As God is the anchor of our lives, we too can be stand strong in a world of turmoil.  I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God because I have read it, and I have prayed to know.  I have had the Spirit confirm time and time again that this book is true.  I invite you all to read the Book of Mormon every day and to invite those around you to read it.  It truly does have incredible power. 

    
We did a lot of contacting this week up by the college in our area.  It was fun to be up there.  One day we had gotten lunch and were eating it at a 7-11 up by the college.  Taiwan is the king of takeout, everything is takeout and they have all these great ways of packaging takeout.  Sister Jarvis had gotten her soup takeout but wasn’t' quite familiar with the packaging and ended up spilling it all of the counter while I was talking to this girl next to us.  The girl was interested and was willing to meet again.  It was just funny because Sister Jarvis was frantically trying to clean up this soup as it flows all over the counter while also trying to not call attention to herself so that the girl will just focus on the gospel message I was sharing.  It was a funny moment.   
  
It has been a little bit hard to leave our old area and our old investigators, especially our recent convert Shu-feng,  but we are trying to maintain a positive attitude.  On Wednesday at English class we told Shu-feng about the change.  She seemed kind of upset at first, but she and I sat down with Sister Bryce (one of the new sisters).  It was just a wonderful lesson, and she was fine with it.  We shared some scriptures and cried mostly out of just a joy of having seen her go through this process and her acknowledging what a blessing the gospel has been in her life since baptism.  It was just a special moment in which your heart is full of more love than you thought it could hold.   

Art Teachers Scooting About with Birds in Taiwan

There is a less active member in the ward who is returning to activity. She is so funny.  Her name is Sun Jiemie.  She is an art teacher, and her teenage son just got baptized.  This week we asked her to go with us to visit a member who is in the hospital to sing to her.  She was worried about not having enough time, but I told her it wasn't that far away, and she agreed to come and said that she would leave right away.  15 minutes later I call her, and she is like, "Sister Gibson I am leaving right now."  She came, but at that point she has about 20 minutes till she has to start work.  She pulls up on her scooter with her birds in a cage on the floor of her scooter.  We agreed that maybe she didn't have enough time to go with us.  She apologized profusely and promised us she would go with us next week.   

Later that night we came out of the church and she was outside waiting for her son.  She had her birds there and wanted to show us all of the pictures that her art students drew.  She makes us laugh so much.  She takes her birds with her like one might take a dog.  She is just so happy and spacey, but her testimony is really growing.  She spoke in church last week.  I really love working with less actives and seeing them return and remain strong in the gospel.  It is so important.   

Eating Bing

Zhu Jiemie is doing really well this week.  She continues to LOVE repenting.  She told us on Tuesday that she has been telling Heavenly Father about all of her past sins and apologizing for them.  She says that whenever she prays and says in the name of Jesus Christ she feels really sad in her heart because she knows how much pain she has caused Jesus Christ.  It has been really cool to see her repent because she is someone who has had a very sinned filled life up to this point, and it is so wonderful to see her recognize the gift that the atonement (Christ’s redeeming sacrifice) is.  I feel like so often we take for granted the gift of repentance, but she is truly someone who sees and recognizes her sins and her nothingness before the Lord and how he can make her whole and new.   

She reminds me of those Lamanites in the Book of Mormon who repented so thoroughly and had no desire to return to their old way of life because they knew and had felt the joy and redeeming power of the atonement.  She is working on giving up smoking and has agreed to work on green tea as well.  She keeps asking us about commandments.  We have been trying to explain that we can't just teach her all of the commandments at once (a lot of people want you to list off the commandments for them).  Her attitude truly has been changing.  Last week she told us that she was not interested in being restricted in any way.  This week her heart really is changing.  We had a lesson in church about obedience; she seemed to be very open and receptive and much more understanding of why we obey.  That it is not to restrict us and limit us as much as they are simply markers on the path of righteousness and happiness.  Of course they are very definite non-negotiable markers. 

A big bai bai oven where they burn paper money to pay respect to the Gods

We also had a great miracle this week.  Back at the beginning of the move call one of the Taiwanese sisters in our mission gave me her little sister’s information. She is going to college in our area.  The whole move call I have called her many, many times trying to get in touch with her but to no avail.  On Tuesday, I thought I would call her one more time, which I did, and she answered!  She was really willing to meet, and we met on Thursday.  She brought a friend who is also really interested.   I was so happy. What a huge blessing for her sister!
  

There is actually a new companionship of sisters moving into our apartment this next week.  Because we are over two wards, they are splitting our area in two.  I am actually a little bummed about it.  Our area is tiny, and they are splitting us because our apartment is big enough to have two sister companionships in it. The other sisters have huge areas, and I have been in areas with 3 wards.  It just doesn't seem to make sense to me to split a tiny area when there are sisters with three wards on the plates.  OK, I am murmuring...I shouldn't do that.  I am mostly just sad about having to say goodbye to all the people I love.  I am sure that the Lord has a greater purpose, and I shouldn’t be so shortsighted.   

Kidnappers Thwarted by Rain - and Garrett's Genius Plan

P-day Jungle Walk

I want to tell you guys something that I do not know if I have really said before.  I know I have told you that I love the country and the people here.  But really, I love the people here.  It is a very strange but amazing thing to be riding your bike and see an old man or woman and just to be filled with an incredibly deep love for them.  You feel like: I have never even seen you! Who are you?  But I love you. I literally feel like that all the time.  I love the Cambodian people so much, and at times, I feel it even more as I feel how Heavenly Father feels about certain ones of them.  It is something that I cannot describe, but it is amazing.  I really do love this county and its people.  

Robbers.  Well, we pay a member come and clean our house every Thursday when we do weekly planning.  We told him about the things that had been happening at our house: banging on the walls, noises, people on the tin roof that is over the washing machine.  He talked to his uncle who is apparently a policeman and told us that straight up the people just want us to come outside.  It all makes sense now.  It was so weird that they would just make enough noise to wake us up then seemingly disappear in the shadows but never make a huge attempt to get inside.  Well, the member told us that this is their game.  They want us to just get fed up with it and go outside.  He said they either want an easier way into the house or they literally want to kidnap us and ransom us.  So, that was crazy.  It all makes sense exactly what was happening now.   

Well, we devised a plan. We need to see their faces. Then we can tell the landlord who they are. He will tell the "village leader" who would take care of it.  Well, our back door is a wooden door with some sliding locks and then a metal barred gate then slides across with a padlock.  Our plan was the next time it happened that the other three elders would be stationed at various "lookout" points and I would very noisily take off the padlock and slide across the metal door and start to mess with the latches, but not actually open anything in an attempt to get them to come to an area where one of the other elders could see them.  Great plan, but it is has been raining like crazy here.  It has rained hard for the last 3 nights, so no activity.  Either way, we have a good plan, and do not worry.  We are really safe and our landlord knows, and he is our neighbor.  Either way, do not worry.  God will protect us.   

That same member tried to give me two swords – literally 2-3 foot swords to keep in our house.  I told him I cannot take them because we can’t have weapons, and if we had them, it probably would not be the best image.  That was interesting.

More pictures from the crocodile farm Garrett visited several months ago

With Malis it has still been kind of frustrating – especially as she progresses so much.  She accepts difficult commandants with ease, and her faith is really growing, but she still has not talked to her parents.  We set a plan with them that they would go to the church the next day (which they did), and then when they went home, they would talk to her parents. We would then meet again at night time and see what happened.  Well, I started a fast that night to see a miracle – that they would talk to them and that the parents would be accepting.  Well, we met on Sunday night, and they had not talked to the parents yet.  Pretty disappointing actually.  We taught her about several commandments, and she is on board with everything, but it is up to her when she gets baptized.  If she talks to her family, she can still get baptized on the 15th.  (She is 30 btw).  If not than it will probably have to be next week.  I am hoping for a miracle.   

I literally cannot do anything else.  I have fasted, prayed, encouraged, shared scriptures, promised blessings, etc.  It is up to her now.  She has learned everything.  This Saturday is her baptismal date.  I pray and hope she will get baptized on Saturday and hopefully her husband will perform the baptism.  It is going to happen!

Many parts of the farm didn't have any safety railings. They were just in pits.

We were able to have a good lesson on the Word of Wisdom with Malis.  She said she did not understand about tea.  She didn’t see how that was bad for her health.  I told her that maybe it was not a matter of health but that really what is important is that if we truly believe, we will follow and keep the commandment even if we don’t understand.  It does not matter if we see the outcome.  Our faith is what is actually important.  She understood and said she would do it.

We helped out with the Youth Conference at the church.  You would be very impressed.  It was all set up by 20-15 year olds.  Granted it was only one day, but when we helped out with their activity, we could tell, they had nice spiritual moments, talks, and activities.  No adults were involved in planning or execution at all.  I was really impressed.  

Home Alone - Cambodia Style

When you are tired, sometimes the best seat is a pile of bricks. 

We have had some interesting nights this past week.  We think there is a crazy person trying to break into our house.  First night.  It was about 10 PM when we heard what sounded like someone running full force and slamming their shoulder and body against our back door.  We all got out and were looking through the windows and doors and things like that to see the person.  By the way, our house is completely covered by fences that are very sharp except for a few weak spots.   

Well, the next night, I was woken up about 2:30 AM to what sounded like a person dropping a bowling ball on our house.  Being so tired, I went back to sleep, but then at 3:30 AM everyone woke up when a huge bang/clanking sound was heard on our house. Plus, our landlord’s dog was going crazy, which means someone was definitely in the house.  We tried to see what was happening again, but we could see no one.  There is nothing else that could be doing anything like that.  We looked at everything, but the only explanation is that someone is messing with us or trying to break in.   

Investigators' children and neighborhood children

Well, the third night we had a plan.  We went “Home Alone” on them and got a huge 20 gallon plastic water jug that was empty.  We tied string to the top of the jug and hanging it on a nail then had the string taped to the opposite end of the wall so that theoretically someone would come up to our back door and not see the string, sending the jug to the ground and waking us up.  Well, that night we all woke up hearing that huge falling bottle sound....but the bottle was still up.  The next night nothing happened.  

 P-day activity

Fast forward to this morning. Before we left to come to the city, I went out to look at things.  I found the water jug on the ground – a little ways away from where it theoretically would have fallen. BUT the string was still attached and the string was still taped to the wall being held secure.  That leaves one thing.  Someone came and picked it up from off the nail and placed it on the ground.  Well, we didn’t do it and neither did the landlord.  So, that has been the fun in BB lately.  Don’t worry we are safe.  Literally no way they could every get into the house.  Plus the district president is our neighbor, and he has already promised if there is a big problem and I call him he will come over and get the guy.  SO that has been pretty fun.

I have been thinking a lot about John 6:68.  Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the ^awords of eternal life.”  We can’t go anywhere else. 

 10 year old kids jumping off the bridge into the river to swim

I am really excited about Malis. Her husband is a member of the Church. We were able to have some really good lessons with her this last week.  I have felt the spirit so strong when we teach, and it seems like our lessons flow so well right now.  We had two moments with her that were really good.  One was Saturday night. I asked her if she believes now that God is real.  She shared a cool story that she was really worried about something at work, but she prayed and everything turned out really well. She believes that God helped her.  So I asked her,  “Do you believe that God is real?”  (Before she did not).  She said, “Yes, I believe a little bit.”  I jokingly said that if she believes a little bit that means that she believes.  I told her that if I eat a little bit of rice I still ate rice.  I thought it was funny.  Pretty much everyone there did too.   

 On Sunday, we met with Malis again, and we taught about the Holy Ghost.  I told her we feel the Holy Ghost through warm, happiness, peace, and a desire to learn about Christ.  I then felt that I needed to ask her if she ever felt like that.  She straight up said yes – that she had several experiences like that.  Our biggest problem now is that she said she wants to get baptized, but she is afraid to talk to her parents about it.  Even though her husband is a member, they still live with her mom and dad, so she is afraid to talk about it with them.  I am praying a ton for J Malis and her parents.  I feel like this is the peak of her conversion.  She needs to be baptized.  Our goal is the 15th.  She is ready as long as she solves this concern.  She needs to read her scriptures more too.  I feel lots of hope for her though.  Both times we met her this week, I felt the spirit grab my heart. 

Scariest laundry room ever. Notice the jug in the far left that is held up by a string. 

For the first time ever I was invited to sing a special music number.  Well, all the missionaries.  So we had 4 elders and 2 sisters sing in sacrament meeting.  We sang Joseph Smith’s first prayer to the tune of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.  First verse, Sisters in Khmae.  Second verse, Elders in English.  Third verse, everyone in English.  Last verse, everyone in Khame.  It was sweet.  Granted I know my voice is pretty bad, but we killed it.

Laundry Room Part 2

I have created what I call the Mee Chaa sandwich.  Mee Chaa just means fried noodles.  So, I get a pack of noodles wet and fry it, and I also fry two duck eggs.  Put that together and then stick it in between two pieces of bread.  Pretty good.  

Shu-feng's Baptism - Complete with Pictures

Shu-feng’s baptism was wonderful.  I was saying to Sister Jarvis that this is the first baptism I have had with absolutely no glitches.  No water being let out of the font.  No one stuck in traffic.  No last minute second interviews.  It was super stress free! 

Shu-feng was so touched by the spirit.  Her mom and her sister came, and as she was sharing her testimony, she was just overcome with feelings of love towards them.  I think it is one of those special moments when the spirit speaks to you by helping you feel the most tremendous love for your family members.  I have had experiences like that before, and they are very powerful.  

She did have to get baptized twice because her foot popped up.  We had told her to relax her body because it is easier to go under if you aren't stiff.  She said she was so relaxed she didn't notice her foot come up.   

It was really special as well because her cousin was able to baptize her.  I don't know if you remember but Shu-feng's aunt and her three children are member of the church. The aunt has for years tried to share the gospel with her family but to no avail.  She saw Shu-feng at stake conference a few weeks back and was shocked and extremely excited that her niece was studying the gospel.  She spoke at Shu-feng’s baptism, and her son baptized Shu-feng. It was such a cool experience because this sister's many years of prayers were answered.  I know that through Shu-feng's good example she will just be the first of many other family members to be baptized. 

We started off the week with a really cool miracle as we were rushing to an appointment.  I saw this lady walking through the park right in front of us, and I felt like we should talk to her. But then she walked away, and we were in a rush. (Not following a prompting immediately regardless of the circumstance is not a good idea.)  Anyway, we prayed before heading into the lesson, and when we finished she was back.  The spirit again was like, "Go!'  So we followed her through the park trying as hard as we could not to look creepy.  We got to a point where I could casually talk to her.  She was a member of another church and really didn't have interest, but just as I started talking to her, this man passed by Sister Jarvis and asked if we had an English class.  She said that we did.  Come to find out he is a former investigator, and he said that he really wanted to find someone who could help him read the Book of Mormon because he has one but he just can't understand it.  Then to make matters even better he said his family were all studying before and also want to read the Book of Mormon.  We set up an appointment.  We will see where it goes but the Lord truly is aware of where His children are.  I feel bad that He had to tell me twice.   

We also had a huge blessing on Sunday.  After a lesson, we saw this guy sitting outside on a street. I had the impression to talk to him, and so I started to do so. As I did, my companion starts talking to this family who had pulled up on their scooter.  They were a really cool family and super willing to meet.  It was such a cool miracle.  I feel like Heavenly Father keeps prompting me to talk to people who aren't interested so that my companion can be in the right position and the right time to start talking to someone else who needs to hear the gospel.  I am happy to be the decoy!

Feathered Chicken Nuggets and Biting Pigs

Backstreet Boys? Yes!

After our branch missionary (BM) leader meeting at the church our BM leader surprised us with a nice little treat.  Baby duck eggs!  I think I told you guys this before, but they let the duck eggs progress until they are pretty well developed.  Then they kill it and sell them.  Then they deep fried it so it kind of looked like a giant chicken nugget.  Like the size of a lacrosse ball.  Well, we ate those.  After taking a bite, if you looked in you could see the baby duck starting to form.  The best part – feathers.  The feathers were starting to form and were very visible.  It was not really crunchy, kind of soft but occasionally you would get a big crunch of well developed bone.  I ate 7.  The other American elders ate 3.  Honestly, it tasted pretty good.  It only was gross when you thought about the fact that feathers were in your stomach along with partially developed duck.  Like a big chicken nugget.  

 Rain washes away parts of the road. 

One of our new investigators said that her daughter had a fever of 41 degrees Celsius.  Which I checked and is about 106 degrees, so I think she might have been a little off.  But she prayed, and afterward, she said that her little daughter’s fever just went away. Now she really believes in prayer.  I hope she keeps on learning and keeps progressing in the gospel. 

 Rain washes away parts of the road.

I feel like I am always thinking about our investigators.  That is obviously a good thing, but sometimes it is hard when that is the only thing that you can and should think about because when they are not doing well, it is sad.  We did see a good change with the wife of a member.  We met her once last week, and it was pretty much us forcing her to meet. Then we met yesterday after church and she was totally different.  She was happier, excited and told us that now she actually wants to learn. 

 Breakfast at a local market

We did a lot of service for our branch missionary leader.  He makes some type of strange medicine that is rice kernels and then he cooks them and then puts some ingredients on them.  He then puts them in glass bottles and super cooks them at like 350 degrees.  I was sitting there putting the baked rice into glass bottles, and at random times, the super cookers a couple feet from me would let out really sharp blasts of steam.  He said not to worry, but I could just picture that whole thing exploding.  Serving him is really important though.  We need his trust and his help.  

  Church member making a mat 

One of the hardest parts is working with less active and inactive member.  It is just so sad – especially when just a while ago they were active and strong.  Sometimes it is especially hard when they used to help the missionaries a lot so they kind of know our style and our purpose, why we are there, and what we are trying to do when we sit down with them.  We try hard to help encourage them to come to church though.  

  Church member making a mat 

We visited a member who lives in kind of a rural area.  The little girl at their house told me not to go close to the huge pig because it bites boys but does not bite girls.  

 Backstreet Boys? Yes.

We had some funny experiences this week that just made us laugh.  One day both of our bikes were broken and unable to be ridden, and we wanted to go back to the member who we got them from.  So we were using them as scooters.  We pushed our way through the streets with one foot on the ground and one foot on the bike.  We got several comments and people yelling at us asking why we did not know how to ride bikes and why we couldn't ride a bike normal.  It was funny.