Subject: turkey turkey bang bang!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

It's been a fun one. We go to Sister Hamilton's house every pday anyway to do laundry, so she signed up to feed us and the elders with another Utah couple away from their kids this Christmas season. They said we could be their kids. They are really wonderful people. I was on the couch writing letters and listening to their Christmas music and they had pictures floating across their tv screen. They were one of the families that happened to be at Far West when Elder Holland went through here. I couldn't think of another family that deserved that photo op more. I made a blanket out of sheets with Sister Hamilton last pday. I pretty proud of my sewing skills. We'r'e tying it next week. She also volunteered to let you stay in their guest level, Mom and Dad. It's the basement, BUT it opens out to ground level (like the Badureks) and they have a little kitchenette and a queen size bed and a twin down
there...so, not too bad. :-P I gave her your number.

Yesterday was a good day. The elders asked us to take their investigator on tour and it was very spiritual. He's the husband of an inactive RLDS lady. He has a Baptist background, but when I asked him how he felt at the end, he said, "I wasn't raised being taught about Joseph Smith or anything, but when you talk about Jesus Christ you're speaking my language. One thing I can say for you all is that you're spiritual people. No denying that. I always feel the Holy Spirit really strong
whenever the elders come by. I compliment ya'll for that. You've said it a million times. I need to pray. I believe in the power of prayer. I'm gonna do that." Sister Fife pointed out that the Spirit testifies that what's being said is true. Hopefully he puts two and two together. It was good working with the elders in our ward. I think we all feel more unified now.

We had a meeting with Bishop that evening talking about the need for more unity working with the 35 families we were given to visit and it went really well. He gave us a lot of free reign to get the ball rolling ourselves, "because Bishop said so." So it was good, because I didn't feel like we put too much more on his plate and as we were talking he thought of a few more assignments for us. I feel a lot better and directed now. It feels good.

I was pulled out of that meeting a little early to take the Riverview elders Spanish speaking tour. It was a lady I had tried to visit about 5 times! The sister-in-law of the ward mission leader, but she never showed much interest and he didn't give us access to teach her. I wondered what changed. When I was in Riverview she had a pretty big tummy, now she's a lot skinnier and her husband and she came in a
carrying a tiny little brown baby, so cute! Things change. It was sort of a lengthy tour. If you knew Elder Jones. You'd know why. But it was great and he comitted to start meeting with the Elders, too. I'm really excited for their little family. She's totally ready---has all the answers and he's---coming along.

Anyway, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Do some service. Make some memories. We're going to go to the rest home and the hospital tonight to see Kathy and some shut ins. It'll be great. "A man filled with the love of God will not be content to bless his family alone." -- Joseph Smith movie.

Happy Holidays! I love you all!

With Love,
Hermana Deb