Because I started my mission in Bordeaux, I had the unique opportunity to get to know the Martins, a local member family. Sister Martin and her three teenagers shared a cramped two-bedroom apartment with an overgrown Great Dane.
Sister Martin was known for her "creative" cooking and one Sunday afternoon treated the missionaries to one of her "special" dinners. After 7 or 8 courses of such delicacies as rice and pea salad, she brought out the "pièce de résistance"--carrots boiled in milk. After she had spooned a healthy serving onto each persons plate, I looked down the table in horror at Elder Kirk, who was looking at me as if daring me to eat it. I looked back down at my carrots, and when I couldn't get my stomach to quit flopping around, I looked back up at Elder Kirk, if only for moral support.
Imagine my surprise when I saw his carrots had magically disappeared. I gave him a questioning look and discreetly mouthed "Did you eat that?"
He shook his head, "No."
At that moment, the Great Dane squirmed out from under the table and padded down the hall. I watched the dog disappear around the corner, then looked back at Elder Kirk, who was smiling and nodding his head.
Elder Joel Nielson, submitted to the former site |