Hi family! How are you all! Happy Thanksgiving and lots of love to you!
I am so grateful for all my blessings and to be here on a mission. We have been here two months now. We got internet in our apartment yesterday, so we can write easier. That hot stairwell I won't miss, but we did get to see the Temple President a lot as it was outside his apartment.
Things I want to remember:
The amazing young missionaries! Their countenances, their vibrance, power and enthusiasm are wonderful
The colorful and pastel ties worn by the Elders and the flowers and colors worn by the Sister missionaries, all clean and pressed!
The people here all varied shades of brown with white smiles, palms and feet--the women all wear sandals of some kind.
During Sacrament Meeting 16 huge fans are whirling on the ceiling, fans in each classroom, a bottled water stand in the hall with paper cups.
The two Elders who met us at the airport, we just walked toward those shirts and missionary tags. They trained and helped us so much!!
The windows are horizontal panes of glass (like mini blinds) they are hooked together and all open and close together.
The scavenger hunt they had for an activity on Saturday at our branch. The whole ward was divided into 3 groups, going door to door to wash platos, sweep patios (dirt behind their houses), etc. Each group had a digital camera and took pictures, of a cow out in a jungle pasture, etc. People came out of their houses to smile and greet and show a new baby. We said hola a lot and smiled!
Walking around the gorgeous Temple in the evenings as a couple at the end of a long day.
The morning newspaper Jim says is better than in the states, and it's free!
Our weekly office meeting with the President, I noticed the paper just before they printed it, that I was down for the prayer. I prayed to remember the Spanish words I'd learned in the summer from tutoring. I gave my prayer and when I finished the Elders cheered for me. It was awesome, but 2 weeks later they called on me again. Yikes, I couldn't give the exact same prayer. I tried best I could and was cheered again. I've never had such encouragement! But with the Mission President and wife, two senior couples and 4 Elders, I shouldn't have to pray to often:)
Our first Thanksgiving here, we held it on Monday celebrating 2 Elders from the office being transferred the next day. Hey, they have been so long without American food that they thought it was awesome! One said it was the first stuffing he's liked, another the cherry pie is "in or undescrible", another asked if he could take a piece of carrot cake home. (never made it before, but I found a Duncan Hines package in a store.) Anyway, you can have a new family for Thanksgiving, make pumpkin pie without ginger, pat pie crust in pans when the moisture won't let them roll, and buy the rolls! Anyway, We've thankful for you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Susan & Jim
