Hi Everyone --
It's hard to believe it's December and Christmas is coming soon. We have to work really hard to think about cool weather and holiday trimmings. We have been out shopping for a Christmas tree and decorations. Interesting business on a hot, dusty, crowded street with lots of traffic streaming by. We were successful, however, and found a tree, star for the top, lots of decorations (including snowmen, which really makes me laugh), and lights. There are a couple of nice party/decoration stores owned by Christians, and they have a lot of things. We got an artificial 5 foot tree. We will decorate that tonight with the lights and ornaments. I also got a nativity made in southern India -- Kerala. We will put that out too. I want to get a red and gold sari to use as a Christmas tree skirt.
We have been playing lots of Christmas music as well. That just leaves shopping for gifts. That could take a long time and be a real tedious task. We will work on it though. Luckily, we have Michelle to help too!
We went to Mumbai for church today. It was potluck day and Doug and I also had to speak in sacrament meeting. The little branch is really growing and there are nearly 10 people who need the missionaries to come and teach them so they can be baptized. We are growing out of our small building! We were lucky enough to have tithing settlement today too. That is a good thing. Next week we were supposed to be in Pune, but they are having a Christmas celebration after church, so we will travel there again.
We went to Yoko Sizzlers last night for dinner. This was a special treat for Ryan -- he had never had a sizzler or a sizzling brownie. What a great meal! This is one place we have found that has good beef. Ryan is doing great at the hospital. He has a great doctor who is also a good teacher and he is seeing lots of rare (in the US) cases and patients. Sometimes he gets to take a rickshaw home from the hospital, and he really likes that.
Hannah's exams are coming along -- only 1 week left. She has been working fairly hard to study and do well on them. After Dec. 20 we will withdraw her from the school and start the home school in January. It will be BYU Independent Study for grades 9-12. It looks like it will be a good deal for her.
Our biggest worry right now is our Indian Visas. They expire the middle of January, but the best John Deere can suggest is for us to fly to Chicago and get them renewed in person. That sounds really hard, but we haven't found any better alternatives yet. I will keep looking, however.
We hope everyone is doing well! We miss you very much!
Love, Lucinda
3 comments:
You know, the pictures last week were good, but the ones this week are priceless. The teeny tiny tree...hehehe...Michelle with the nativity that looks like it has a pig in it??...hehehe...and the size of Ryan's eyes as he's looking adoringly at the sizzler...hahaha. What fun!
So, if you're flying to Chicago in January, does that mean that we get to play? I'd be willing to pack up my kids and take a trip. Poor Spencer would be sad, but that's what happens when you have to work. Sigh.
Amber, it's not a pig, it's a javelina. I thought that he deserved to be a part of the nativity as well. Ryan won't let him sleep in his sock. I love my little javelina and he needs to feel a part of the family.
Oh, sorry Michelle. I didn't realize that senor javalina was a part of your family. I'm not suprised that Ryan won't let him sleep in his sock...javelinas are very hairy and would tickle his foot all night long.
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