My Thanksgivings were
fantastic. It was a super nice day... perfect for a turkey bowl.
Unfortunate how we couldn't participate this year due to some
missionaries getting injured playing football in the past. Our stake
put on a turkey bowl i believe and it went well... only one person got a
concussion. We did have 2 back to back dinners. Even though I thought
i was being conservative on my first and only plate at the first
dinner, i was still full but still found the room to squeeze down
another full plate at our other members house. They had Amber and her
daughter over to eat with us and also a lady who is originally from
Brazil. She speaks pretty good english and we got to talk with her a
little bit about the gospel and things we are greatful for in our
lives. We did not go around the table and all say things we were
thankful for, but i did think about that and how i was missing out on
that tradition this year.
Amber passed her interview with flying colors so we
have the go ahead for the baptism this Saturday. It's going to be super
sweet! The spanish branch that meets in the same building is also
having a baptism that morning. It was interesting because their branch
president came up and talked to us because their baptism is scheduled
for 10 and ours is for 10 30. It shouldn't be a problem, but i'll never
complain about having too many baptisms being in the way of eachother!
It was kind of an interesting week at church. A lot of the ward was
gone for Thanksgiving. Also with the new boundaries there were
altogether new members to the ward and also some people visiting for the
holidays so everyone was all mixed up. The organist and the chorister
were impromptu asked to participate for that day and they did pretty
good. Elder Dyer and I gave talks in Sacrament meeting and also helped
pass the sacrament due to the lack of priesthood holders there this
week. Also we taught in second hour the gospel essentials class which
got combined with the 14-18 youth class because their teacher was gone
also. We also half taught the third hour. It was a crazy sunday. It
all worked out though and things are going great. Luckily for us, our
presidencies weren't lost like much of the other wards with their
presidents moving into the other ward boundaries so we still had some
organization there.
I can't remember if I told you about our investigator
named Kirk or not. He lives just down the hall from us and is a drummer
in a band. We've taught him a couple three times now. He came to
church on Sunday! He was even dressed up in slacks, a white shirt and a
tie. It was amazing to see this gentleman, who doesn't really know who
God is or the role He plays in our lives, exercise a little particle of
faith and come to church to help his little faith seed grow. He stayed
for the first 2 hours and then left before priesthood which is ok. I'm
just glad he was there. We are going back over there this week.
It's been getting a lot colder now recently. Our
abnormally warm winter is back to it's regular Iowa winter stage now. I
think it might supposed to warm up in the next couple of days but i'm
not sure. Elder Dyer got a little plastic foot tall tree that we set up
in the apartment. I put all the 4 packages i got from wal mart next to
it and tried not to totally hide the tree. I've decided to wait until
Christmas to open them. ;) To answer your question Wade and Rachael I
can't really think of anything i need for Christmas. Something small
and easy to tote around would be good seeing as how i'll probably
already be having to send things home by mail since it won't all fit in
my trunks under the weight limit. It's boring, but money or gift cards
are always much appreciated. Or snacky foods are good too. Good
looking ties are always a favorite, although i have plenty. A nice hand
written sentiment would even be enough. Speaking of Christmas we have
been told about Mormon.orgs new Christmas Campaign thing that they have
launched. I haven't had a chance to dabble around on it much yet, but
it's supposed to be really cool and a good way to share the gospel with
people. We as missionaries are to have a short christmas message
prepared at all times because you can now request the missionaries to
specifically come just to share a christmas message with your family.
Also Wade to answer your question about the car share.
We have it a week on and then a week off. We share with one other
companionship who borders our area. You don't get to sign up for it and
car hogs aren't available. Unless you consider areas with a full time
car car hogs. Biking around has been fun... but then my tire popped so
we have to go fix that today. Not quite sure how it popped, because it
happened when it was just resting in the apartment and not while we were
riding around. I'll count that as a blessing though. There are not as
many people outside now that it's getting a lot colder though. You
might have already told me this, but Rachael are you having a boy or a
girl?
This gospel is so true and i am so thankful for it. Much love