Busy Two Weeks

The past two weeks have gone by pretty fast as we have kept busy baking cookies and taking them around to members of the branch.  We had some pretty amazing experiences as a couple of the people  we had selected to visit really needed us when we arrived.  Most of the cookies turned out really bad as the sugar is not as sweet and I hadn't yet learned what shortening was and the oven is very small and runs hot so my baking efforts have not been great.  Plus, it is not pleasant to run the oven when it is in the 90's.

We are having a good Christmas, there was a neighborhood party Friday night that we attended and were able to meet many nice people that live around us, last night we went to a BBQ at some members house and later today we have two invites, one for nibbles at 4 and a dinner at 6, so we will not lack for food.

We were able to see two nativity's on FaceTime today put on by Craig's family and Jeff's family and then watched Jackie's family open their Christmams eve presents and will talk with Chris's family tomorrow as they were driving home from a family get together when we called them tonight. We talked with Andy and Brekka yesterday, we are so grateful for the technology that allows us to keep in touch from so far away. We can enjoy Christmas with everyone with no cooking or dishes involved!

I got exactly what I wanted for Christmas as both of my front teeth had broken since we arrived here and I was able to find a dentist that did a great job of fixing them - so I got my two front teeth for Christmas so I don' t look like a jack-o-lantern anymore nor whistle when I talk.  I had never realized how two little chips can affect your speech until I had to speak in church and had a hard time trying to  annunciate correctly.

We also attended a big nativity that is put on by all the Christan churches (except us) down by the ocean.  It was a great effort as they put up tents and reenacted the whole city of Jerusalem with many activities going on.  We hope to find some involvement next year.

We hope all of you will have a wonderful Christmams!  May you feel the true spirit of Christmas this day and in the coming year!