Miracles and Activities

Christmas time is upon us and as you can see, we have been celebrating. Sherrie fell in love with the Charamicos. They are the Christmas Trees that are traditional here. They are simply dry tree branches assemled together to make a small tree. Sherrie loved decorating it.

We have had so many wonderful experiences and have seen miracles happen. One that recently occured was the remarkable blessing received by the senior missionary couple whom we replaced. Shortly after they returned home, the sister was diagnosed with a tumor behind her eye. Surgery was recommended with the anticipation of losing her eye and the nerves that control that side of her face. A very disfiguring and difficult surgery. We asked the institute youth and others who knew them here in the Dominican Republic to fast and pray for the sister. It was due to the amazing faith of the people here that we received notice that they did not have to remove her eye and that she would recover.

We have also received many blessings personally. Sherrie's leg had been giving her problems and that has healed. We have been blessed with protection in what could only be described as one continual "near death" experience each day we drive on the roads. We have also been blessed with the gift of the language. We have been able to learn all of the temple ordinaces in Spanish which is a miracle in that we are only in the temple for two mornings a week and it has only been 2 months. Sherrie had already learned most of it in Spanish so the real miracle is that I have been able to do so. The language is difficult for me and it will take time but I am so grateful for the help the Lord has given me. We have an additional challenge as well. A number of the islands that the Santo Domingo Temple serves as well as Haiti, speak French. We will need to learn a little French as well while we are here. There is a gift of tongues!

Sherrie and I have arranged for the senior missionary couples to go caroling to the young missionaries and others as a group on Monday. We have also organized an activity for the senior couples to provide presents for all of the 65-70 elders and sisters in the missionary training center here in the building where we live. It is so wonderful to have such close association with the missionaries. They are so excited to be here and to get out and share the gospel. Sherrie has also been busy baking Christmas goodies for everyone as well as the missionaries. (The sister missionaries are her favorites, however!) I have had the difficult duty of being the official taste tester.

We are missing the chance to be with family this year but hope to be able to talk with all on Skype. As a small consolation we plan to spend a relaxing morning on the beach on Christmas! We have never done that before! The senior couples are also getting together on Christmas eve with the young missionaries as well as have dinner together on Christmas day. It will be a wonderful day but we will miss our kids and grandchildren!