Dear family and friends,
Guess what?! This coming Wednesday, I hit my 3 month mark - which means I only have 15 more...so weird. Time goes so slow but at the same time so fast here. By the time I blink it's Sunday again. So I find out if I'm getting transferred on Friday, and then transfers are not this Wednesday, but next Wednesday. I'm pretty sure I'm going to still be here for Christmas, but I guess we'll see!
My first major holiday away from home! Thanksgiving was so great:) I thought I would be homesick and sad, but it turned out to be a wonderful, fun day. I think that was a tender mercy of the Lord. He keeps his missionaries busy and uplifted so they can concentrate on the work and not get distracted by thoughts of home. I have so many places I want everyone to visit in Santa Rosa, though! There's this REALLY good sandwich place called "Crystal's Corner" that we've eaten at once or twice. It's owned by this cute Asian couple with a little boy. There's also so many cool shops and places and beautiful beaches here.
I found out something cool: I can connect my iPad to the computer so I can send pictures I take on that! However...I forgot the cord to connect my iPad...so...whoops. Next week! I apologize. I haven't sent pictures in a while. I haven't taken many pictures, though.
Okay, so Thanksgiving: we woke up early since we had to do service from 7-9 that morning. We're helping to set up for the "Creche Festival," or nativity festival, this coming Friday-Sunday. The whole chapel and cultural hall is filled with beautiful nativities from all over the world (over 350) with beautiful lights and Christmas trees and garlands and stars everywhere. It's beautiful! We also helped set up a few more things today from 8-10.
Later that morning we played a turkey bowl football game with my zone (I officially am horrible at football) and it was a blast! And of course, Sister De Rurange and I brought a soccer ball so after a while of failing at playing football, we and other discoordinated-with-our-hands missionaries went into a neighboring field and played soccer.
Then we changed and showered and went over to President and Sister Alba's house for Thanksgiving "lunch" at 1 - SO good!!! There were these stuffed mushrooms filled with crab that were so tasty, and this delicious cheese sauce, and seriously the best roasted carrots I've ever had...man it was so tasty. Oh, and homemade mango and strawberry jam, and pear and raspberry sauce to put on top of the turkey. Oh goodness it was so yummy! The President and his wife were so kind to us - before we said the blessing they told us that they know we can't be home today, so they hope we can feel they are our parents away from home. And it felt like a big missionary family:) It was so nice and sweet of them!
Then at 3, we had a 2nd dinner with just us 4 singles' ward sister at this member in another ward's house, the LeCheminants (he's the bishop over a different ward than our's...our bishop was out of town for Thanksgiving). And they had rolls just like the one's Keri makes! They gave us about 6 to take home and Sister De Rurange and I ate them within 12 hours.
I have to go soon but I wanted to end with good news: Anthony is getting baptized on Saturday! He's been doing so well, and has overcome his addiction, and passed his baptismal interview:) I'll make sure to take pictures so you can see who he is. He's such a sweet, funny kid. He's keeping the baptism a secret from his mom, which is kind of sad, but he lives with her and when he told her originally he was going to get baptized into the Mormon church, she threatened to kick him out if he went through with it - so until he can find a place to live on his own, he can't tell his mom he's been baptized.
It's amazing to see how people change and transform because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anthony has made a HUGE improvement in all aspects of his life - socially, spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally. I know this Gospel is true and that is of God, because all that is good comes from God. And this Gospel only helps people become the best they can be - helps them reach their divine potential to have eternal life and live with Heavenly Father again.
I love you all, and sorry this was so short - don't have much time today. Choose the right and pay attention to Christ this Christmas season. Funny quote from a Spanish elder in my zone: "Christ. Mas. Translated that means More Christ." Remember that as we reach the holiday season - the reason we have all the festivities and lights and presents and nativities - even the glitz and glam of it all - is because of Jesus Christ. There would be no "Holiday season" without Jesus Christ.
Love always,
Sister Nikole Decker
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