Manners

This afternoon I did a bit of work with the boys in their Faith In God books.  We discussed manners and being courteous.  In part of that discussion we talked about being offered a meal as a guest somewhere.  I shared some thoughts on being offered something that you may not like and how it is good manners and polite to eat it.  Shared a mission story because most of us have some sort of growing up to do on our missions especially when it comes to food that we may not be fond of.  The very first meal I was given on the mission came from an elderly couple, the Dickinsons I believe, in the Bellville Ward.  They were very nice and were happy to feed us.  It all looked so good and then I bit into it.  The delicious, thick cut white bread was completely ruined by fish paste and a ton of butter.  It is hard for me to say which was worse, the fish paste or the butter?  I would automatically call it the pasted fish but that butter was so thick, I couldn't handle it... I did handle it but it wasn't easy.  The point was, I ate it, with a smile on my face and was very grateful for the kindness shown.  Anyway, we had a fine discussion and the boys seemed to be on board with the idea. 

Test time.  I made a delicious breakfast casserole for dinner.  I know what your probably thinking.  There is no such thing as a delicious casserole.  Well, it's true, it is delicious and it is a casserole and it was a favorite treat when visiting Grandma Vi.  It is the very casserole we designed and named the Violet Pearl Omelet at the Brick House after.  Layers of green chiles and cheese with an egg mixture poured on top.  Oh my goodness it is delicious.  I served some up to the boys despite their protests.  These were short lived protests as I reminded them of our earlier discussion.  They both took bites, I think Jack managed a couple.  Their faces turned sour almost immediately.  Somehow they managed to straighten their faces and swallow their food.  Andy said something like mmm, no thank you.  It was very polite, I didn't put up any sort of fight.  Jack also utilized the no thank you escape clause with a special request along the line of 'now can I have something good'.  Perhaps the chiles were too much.  Well, success was had in the sense that they both tried it without much argument and both politely said no thank you. 

Manners.  I think it was a good start.  I mean, it could have been scripted much better than it actually turned out but all things as they were, these guys stepped up, took a healthy bite and kindly said no thank you.  That is better than some of the things they've shared in the past.  I'll take it.  Next on the menu for these boys, Fish Paste Sandwiches!