Tomorrow is Ashley's last day here. It's Sunday night - we're tired. We've done a lot of work and had a ton of fun the last 9 days. Been busy. Sad to see her go. She followed along when we visited investigators tonight. Some very humble homes and beautiful children - not to be quickly or easily forgotten. They followed us all the way down the road to our car. Baptism with 5 next week-end and then 12 for the 31st. Masai branch is growing.
Today in primary. The primary president didn't show up, so Ashley and I muddled through. But it was sooo difficult as our new building does not yet have crayons, stapler, glue, paper, or children's music book. Dug deep in my bag to find crayons and paper and begged a pair of scissors from a sister who had some in her purse. We did a lesson on Christmas and then set everyone working on making a Christmas card with a 'service gift' inside and a star. Ash is in the background helping cut out the stars and keeping 'a-little-Ashley' busy. Will definitely be doing some more 'building-shopping' this week. Advance notice that you're not going to be to church to do your job would be so nice - something the members here just do not get.
Christmas lights in Singapore - quite the sights.
I think Ashley's fav place was the botanical gardens. Definitely a 'garden-of-Eden' kind of place.
Watching turtles at the gardens - Danna and Adam - we think you need to come back. You missed this - you'd love it.
One of the scenes from a bridge in S'pore. Good night.
Today in primary. The primary president didn't show up, so Ashley and I muddled through. But it was sooo difficult as our new building does not yet have crayons, stapler, glue, paper, or children's music book. Dug deep in my bag to find crayons and paper and begged a pair of scissors from a sister who had some in her purse. We did a lesson on Christmas and then set everyone working on making a Christmas card with a 'service gift' inside and a star. Ash is in the background helping cut out the stars and keeping 'a-little-Ashley' busy. Will definitely be doing some more 'building-shopping' this week. Advance notice that you're not going to be to church to do your job would be so nice - something the members here just do not get.
Christmas lights in Singapore - quite the sights.
I think Ashley's fav place was the botanical gardens. Definitely a 'garden-of-Eden' kind of place.
Watching turtles at the gardens - Danna and Adam - we think you need to come back. You missed this - you'd love it.
One of the scenes from a bridge in S'pore. Good night.
3 comments:
Wonderful to see the photos! Ashley has had a great cultural experience as well as a marvelous missionary experience with her grandparents that she will never forget. I love seeing her beside the lit up S'pore Christmas reindeer dressed in shorts and a tshirt. Yay for summer Christmas!! Even though I know it's not officially summer there. I, too, really love the Singapore Botanic Garden. So beautiful! Wonderful to hear that your branch is growing and to see more photos of the building and all the children. You are wonderful to pinch hit so well with the children. Merry Christmas, Nyla and Garald!
I think maybe we'll just jaunt on back and see the gardens.....
Wow- the Primary looks massive! So impressive. I wish we had seen the reindeer lit up- they look beautiful. So fun!
I wanted to tell you that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I enjoy reading your letters and learning from your experiences.
Here’s a quick summary of our year.
Clair started working at Hill Air Force Base in August, after 9 months of unemployment. He enjoys the work for the most part He had cataract surgery last week and now has 2 good eyes again. He is still working with the 11 year old scouts. And he is still as kind and giving as ever.
I (Nancy) have had ups and downs this year, like everyone else. Unfortunately one of those downs is that I have to have surgery on the 22nd to re-repair a torn tendon. I had the same surgery done in July but it has torn again. Ironically Sara is going to have surgery on her foot that day also, and by the same Dr, so we’ll recuperate together through the holidays.
But on the “up” side being a Nana is one of the greatest joys of my life, and now Tasha is expecting another little one next May – 2 days after her Liesie’s 3rd birthday.
I am still teaching Relief Society and enjoying it. I am also really enjoying crocheting and have crocheted one blessing dress and have started a second one. We did some re-landscaping outside this fall and I am so excited for spring to see how it all turns out. Tory wielded me an arch before he left on his mission and I planted English Ivy to grow over it and it should be really pretty by the time he gets home.
We also are doing a major remodel; our neighbor, and friend – Todd Kelly – has gutted both bathrooms to the studs and has made us a beautiful bathroom upstairs; has torn out a wall and took a bedroom space to add to the family room, and now it is bigger and beautiful. He is currently working on the downstairs bathroom. He will also replace the entire kitchen/dining room flooring, and then all the upstairs carpets. What a wonderful Christmas present for all of us this year!
Josh is still in San Francisco and just got back from a trip to Hawaii which he really enjoyed. We took a family trip in June and were able to visit Josh in SF, and it was good to see him, but not nearly long enough. A good “last vacation” before Tory left.
Russell married Cheri in June and they are way too busy with school and work, but very happy.
Kyle got a new job working for the state of Utah in computer programming and is doing very well and enjoying this job much better than the last. Tasha is still working at a daycare every evening for a few hours but will quit soon to try to keep up with Liesie and get ready for the new baby.
Sadie is doing well in her post high school training and they are starting to help her job search. She has a lot of good support and is excited about this next step in her life.
Tory left for Mexico on Nov. 9th and we have received 2 emails from him, and are anxiously expecting the 3rd tomorrow. He sounds like he is doing really good, despite cultural shock and a lot of hill climbing. We are so excited to talk to him on Christmas.
Sara got a job as a janitor at a school near us and works 3 hours a day after school. She is in the highest school choir this year and has had a lot of performances; between her job, choir, and some college credit classes she keeps very busy. She is a senior this year, as is Tony.
Tony goes to a charter school half a day, and to the ATC learning construction the other half of the day. He is really enjoying the construction. He takes his final driving test tomorrow & is anxiously hoping “not to kill anyone”, to pass the test, and finally get his license. He is also trying to get up his courage to go on a first date – as he will be 18 in Jan. He is a kind hearted young man and we are so proud of the progress he has made with the challenges he has had; and we feel the same about Sadie.
this really has been a pretty wonderful year. The love and support of good friends and family, and the joy of the gospel brings into our lives tops it off.
So, Merry Christmas and may God bless you extra specially this next year.
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