Wait, what? It's Christmas?

This week has kind of been a blur. It's really hard for us to wrap our minds around the idea that it's Christmas. We are so far removed from all that reminds us of Christmas. Perhaps when we get to talk to our kids and grand kids and see Christmas there, it will be good.
The missionaries from the Wismer side went and did service for Hanniff at his farm. We love this family so much. Molly is his wife and his youngest daughter is Sarah. He is manning this huge farm mostly by himself. He also has a large chicken coop and a pig pen. The missionaries and Dave cleared away some debris and a huge fallen tree. They worked very hard. Molly fixed us lunch of rice,beans and chicken. Whenever we go to Hanniff's we always stand in a circle holding hands and we say a prayer before we leave. It's such a tender thing and makes me want to incorporate that in our home.
As we were driving home, the men were soaked to the skin, muddy and tired and wanting a shower. As you know, we have a water issue here on the Wismar side of Linden. Sometimes we get water on schedule and sometimes we don't. So, we were all hoping there would be water for us to clean up when we got to our apartments. I was so touched by this conversation as we drove home. Elder Hollinger said to the other two missionaries. "I'll pick a number between 1 and 20. The one closest to it will get to shower first and the other second." He was wet, muddy and tired too but he put his companions needs before his. Such a kind, unselfish thing to do. He will be leaving us to go home on the 29th. He has served so well! He will be greatly missed.
We had our branch Christmas party on Saturday. The Branch President asked us to get a tree, decorate it, decorate the tables and get gifts for the children. We found a little tree the same height as me and found some decorations. We went to the church and cleaned it all up. It's always full of sand and roaches. We weren't sure about the gifts for the children since we have only ever done candy canes in our wards in Utah. We found some small cars and coloring books. There were no crayons to be found. We found some colored pencils and we cut them in half and I sharpened all of them so each child would get a set of 6 colors. It was a little challenging since I only had a little sharpener. I ended up having to wear gloves because I got blisters on my hands after a short while. We were trying to be thrifty because we didn't want to spend too much of the Lord's money.  The President ended up getting gifts for the children. All the boys got large plastic tanks and the girls got barbie like dolls. We had a very large crowd for dinner and they served fried rice, curried chicken, some chickpea thing....challa....not sure, and roti wraps and cake. There was food left over so a lot of people took food home in take out boxes. I think everyone had a good time. We cleaned the church up again and set up for Sunday meetings.
I was asked to speak in church and I told the story of the Prince and the Pauper. How, because of a mix-up, The Prince became the pauper and the pauper became the Prince. The Prince then found out what life is like for all of the common folk of his kingdom. He was thirsty, hungry, cold, dirty, and even got beat up. Somehow the mix-up is corrected and the Prince becomes king and because of what he went through was a very compassionate and loving King to his people because he knew how they suffered.
We also have a Prince that became a pauper. The Prince of Peace. He left worlds of glory and light voluntarily to experience everything He had to so He would know how to care for us.  I loved that correlation.  I do know that Christ suffered all things in our behalf.
"He was born to change all hearts, end all goodbyes, heal all wounds, fix all mistakes. Born to overcome anguish, regret, depression, fear. He understands you, He heals us. He can bridge the gap between God and man and bring us home. If we let Him. If we love Him. If we follow Him."
( I borrowed those words from a Mormon message) I believe them!
May you all have the meaning of Christmas in your hearts every moment and feel Joy regardless of what ever is going on around you. If you are reading this, I love you!

 The work crew (left to right) Ronaldo, Phil, Dave, Hannif, Molly, Sarah, Me, Elder Hollinger, 

Elder Revilla, Elder Moracca

 Moving the huge tree

 Sarah and Molly

 Working hard. You can't tell but it's pouring down rain on them. 

 More hard work, Elder Hollinger is giving it all he has along side my hard working man! 

Here the sun is shining again. It changes within minutes.

Children at the party. There were many that we have never met. Probably children of guests of members. Darling children! I just realized that Dave's face is hidden, The Santa hat is him.

 This is some kind of something that was under the log after they rolled it away

More....sorry to gross you out.....nature is fascinating!

This is our Mission President and wife, The Bairds. We had a Christmas devotional on Sunday. 

There were 27 connections in this meeting from 6 countries, 90 missionaries, 10 senior couples. 

So the 7 of us in Linden were singing "Silent Night" at the same time with all others in

 the Trinidad Port of Spain mission.

Technology is amazing!