Happy Thanksgiving!!

Dear Loved Ones,

It is hard to believe that it is even November, let alone, Thanksgiving Day!

Our day will be business as usual, then tomorrow we will meet at the mission home for a belated Thanksgiving dinner including the area mission senior couples, so there will be quite a few in attendance. We are all suppose to put an African flare to what we bring. 

The Hansens and Kent and I were going to bring a regular roasted turkey, but when we went to find one, the largest was only 5.8 kg and cost R400.00. Can you figure that out?! Well, let me help you...so around 12 lbs and $40.00. Needless to say, we decided to go a different direction and are preparing chicken shish-kabobs, with the African favorite, sweet chili sauce. It will do for a substitute. We feel we had our Thanksgiving feast last month when we prepared it for Elder Stephens and Elder Davies, our Australian elder, so we are good.

As we ponder our blessings, we are grateful for each of you. We take much for granted when we are close by and see each other often, so being away has made us realize the importance of family and those we love.

Being here in Africa has really opened our eyes to realize it's not how much you accumulate that makes you happy. There are those who have none, but still have everything. There are those who live in a small, cardboard and metal shack but still smile and take pride in what they do have.

 They sweep their dirt floors and keep their little 'yard' around their shack swept and clean. Their clothes are always clean and unwrinkled, how do they do that?! Their faces washed and glowing! They go to church, whatever their religion. They walk for hours to get to work or appointments or to church and don't complain, for they have friends and family to fill the empty spots.

So do something for us; take more concern for each other, make a phone call to just say 'Hi', write a text to check on each other. Appreciate what you do have and learn to be content with what you have been allotted.

We make ourselves so busy with good things that we forget the most important and the BEST...The Gospel of Jesus Christ and FAMILY!

This was given at our staff meeting last week and I'll leave you with it.

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Count on God instead of yourself.

What are you thankful for?

Highlight and right click on this link to watch a video

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=911161818001