Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Thanksgiving Down!

Ahhhh.......it's Monday! I wake up to an email saying "Hey Mom, I'll be writing my letter hopefully after you hop on the computer." THAT sure does bring a smile to my face! Today was a great day because I got not one but several emails from him - a couple of small ones but I won't complain. Especially since one of them was a long one saying he had a great Thanksgiving. So here goes......


So yes, Thanksgiving was great. We had two and a half dinner appointments and I got stuffed. And we've been fed by members for the last few days because many of them still have leftovers.  We ate with a Haitian family who had a feast with lots of their native foods and then we went to a Jamaican members home and had their type of food. And I loved it. The most common thing we've had is Legum (sp.?) and it is rice with pureed beans and then chicken, pork, and beef with an okra-like vegetable and onions and some sort of gravy. It sounds simple but I love it so much. I could eat it every day. And lastly we had desert at the home of the only white family in our branch. And that was great too. We played in our annual turkey bowl football game and that was a blast, except that nobody could run since we're all sore from the service and p-day activities we've been doing. So Thanksgiving was great. 

Unfortunately we didn't get to do service in Union Beach this weekend. I mentioned last week that we had completed all of the Church's work orders and so we had nothing to do because there were just too many volunteers. Obviously, there are thousands and thousands who still need help but we're advised to stay organized by completing work orders rather than just walking around looking for people to help. Since there aren't enough work orders right now, they're just having us stay home this weekend until they can create more. It's crazy how much volunteer service there is right now. And not just from Mormon Helping Hands - which makes me happy to see that.

I didn't get to be a part of the Called to Serve group but I can imagine being there would have been pretty special. Every time we sing that song (MTC, fearbuster, wherever) it brings a special spirit and I always get the chills. 

1. My companion and I are still together. Some missionaries got new companions but for the most part it was a pretty small transfer conference. There were several members who were invited by President to come up and share their testimonies of their conversions and it was really neat. The ones who shared were all recent converts working on serving missions, which is always amazing to think of the widespread effect one or two missionaries can have. It spreads like wildfire.
2. Yeah - no new companion.
3. Still thinking of stuff for Christmas. Maybe chocolate. And a good Christmas CD(s). It can be by anyone as long as it doesn't have inappropriate lyrics. 
4. I have a box of stuff I am planning to send back and I haven't had time to go to the post office yet. My letter is included in that. But I may be able to today since it's p-day.
5. Nah, thanks though. I don't need a throw blanket.
6. Yes I did bring cologne so I'm good for now.

I am currently in Jacob (I know I am way behind) so my goal is to read 10 pages a day and that will get me pretty close to finishing before the end of the year. It's tough because I want to study the scriptures I read but that takes too long so I am forced to just read through it. I just read Jacob 5 and I was sad because I didn't have the time to study it out and that chapter is loaded with interesting things. But props to you for making it this far! You're way ahead of me.

John and Jazmine... unfortunately we haven't seen them since last Monday. They have been really busy and cancelling appointments because they are moving out and John works all the time. We have an appointment tonight though, hopefully that pulls through! I'll let you know how that goes and that will be when they get their CTR rings! Thanks for that. Larry is a champ as always. He got confirmed two sundays ago and we weren't there to hear it but we heard it was awesome. He also was told by our Branch President that he would soon be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood! So great. And the girl with the 10 referrals, we've only been able to see one of the referrals because this last week we had very little time to teach, which was frustrating. Between our Christmas Devotional practices and transfer conference and shopping on Wednesday and service projects, we got in I think like 10 total lessons for the week, and 5 of those were with members or recent converts. Anyway, this coming week looks a little more promising which is good. Oh and in my letter I wrote about Philip and Bill - two of the crazier people I've ever met and we're trying to figure out if Philip is accountable enough to be baptized because he is sorta demanding us to baptize him. It's hilarious. I'll let you know what happens with that.

I heard about the two sister missionaries getting calls to Morristown - I already know one of them! So that will be cool when they come in. I'm sure that there will be a whole lot more too. I'll be the senior companion for the whole apartment come next transfer if I stay in East Orange (which I probably will). And I'll probably be training in the next few months so that will be exciting. 

I talked to Reese a little over email just barely and it sounds like things are going pretty well for him. He's probably so excited to go to Germany. And Clark sent me a letter that made me laugh really hard so that was awesome. He has my address so I think he can just send them straight from the MTC. 

I hope everything's well for you too! I love you all. Hope everyone got to say hi at Thanksgiving and glad you had a lovely time. I did too! I don't think I need anything, just more time! Haha 

Love, 
Tab


Tab's friend Anne Collins came by this morning while I was emailing Tab. I sent him a hello from her and he was able to reply back. I'm sure he loves messages from others besides me - especially friends. I'm grateful for his good friends! Oh, and he wrote his dad too so I must share that.



Hey Dad!

I'm out of time but wanted to let you know I read your letter and I appreciate it! Sounds like you had a funny time. I'm glad to hear that your recipe for ribs is best. I wish I could eat some right now. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving and love to everyone. I hope you have a great week.

Love, 
Tab


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