Hola Familia!!

Nope. We didn’t have transfers. Our P-day got moved to Saturday, so that all the zones in the mission could do a joint service project in honor of the Christmas season. We found out about the move last Saturday, so that’s why there was no warning. But all is well. I spent the morning fixing windows in a retirement home. And transfers are next week. So I’ll be writing on Wednesday. Most likely from Montevideo.

Anyways. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you enjoyed the Brazilian steakhouse. We had sausage and rice for our thanksgiving feast. Mmm. And then at night we had a Family Home Evening with our chicas (the 12 year old recent converts) and made brownies, and had everyone go around and tell what they were grateful for. Well celebrated. I find myself wishing I had been more enthusiastic about Family Home Evenings growing up. You don’t get it back.

That reminds me though- the week before in a lesson with the chicas, I tried to steal your object lesson with the orange, Mom. We talked about how the principles from For the Strength of Youth are a protection, etc. But. We forgot to plan ahead and buy an orange. As we were running to the lesson we realized we were missing this vital teaching tool- and decided to run by a little store close to their house. Unfortunately, they did not have oranges. But they did have lemons. They’re citrus. They have a peel. We figured it would be close enough. We taught the lesson. Writing the standards from FSY on the peel. But then when we peeled it and dropped in the water.. To our dismay it continued to float. So. For all those interested in the universal sharing of object lesson ideas. It doesn’t work with lemons. And we learn once again, the value of being prepared.

We just got a new chapel in our area. They have been remodeling it for most of this year, and last week it finally opened up. It’s really nice to have a church in our area. We’re hoping it will help people make it out to church on Sunday. One week and we’ve already seen quite a bit of success with some less-actives. And Siria and her family live almost right across the street. So that’s promising. Thanks for all your prayers. Ahh. I love these families so much. I want to see them progress. I want them to be happy. Sigo con esperanza.

In other news, we have a pet spider in our bathroom. It’s living in a hole between the outside window, and the one we slide open. We’re not sure how to get rid of it. And so as Hermana Wright said "We’re either going to kill it or we’re going to name it." Meet Mary George, the giant black spider. Along with summer comes the bugs. And the Pajaro Hunters. swarms of little boys armed with sling shots roaming the neighborhoods. Hna Wright told one of them reminiscently that she once had a sling shot. The immediate response: "Did you kill any birds with it?!" Pobre pajaros.

Anyways. Must go. I love hearing that you’re reading with us Dad! Two more weeks! And Happy Birthday Grandma Billie!!! I love you all muchisimo. You’re in my prayers.

Love,
Simini