Weekly report

For the sake of continuity, I thought I would write a few thoughts and report a few activities of the past week.

First of all, we are now both officially retired. Of course, I was retired officially last July, but now she is retired having worked her last day on Friday, the 21st. They gave her a lot of parties, gifts and even a decorated car (see picture). It is certain that she will be missed and will miss her work and people (maybe not the work so much). Anyway, we are focused on our final preparations.

As for that, both of us are engaged in language training several times per week. The MTC has set us up for individual German training in hour-long sessions over Skype. It is a wonderful thing. She is learning the basics of the language and I am learning narrative and conversational past, reflexive verbs, giving spiritual thoughts and having discussions. It is a blessing that we can do this without leaving our home. Wir sind von der Herr sehr gesegnet!

Last Sunday, we both spoke in Sacrament meeting. It went well. There were a lot of people in attendance and we were blessed to see so many come. Afterwards, we had food and visiting at our home (see a few pictures). I am thinking of putting my talk notes in another blog posting. She was released as Relief Society President just before she gave her talk. She did very well and was able to control her emotions.

 little Oak

Little Coop in uncle's arms

We finally got all our papers back and ready for our visas and sent them all off to the church travel department. They asked to have them by the day we enter the MTC.

Our homebodies both now have gainful employment, so they will be taking care of the home while we are gone. This coming week is very busy, with Christmas, especially. Payless is busy and has our son working some today and a lot this week. He went to another ward for church this morning before having to be at work at 10:30. Durufus has Sunday's off, but has been putting in long hours at Dominos and will do so also this week. At least now his car is running well.

We are happy and looking forward to a wonderful Christmas, though we very much miss our Maine family and our Hungary family. We hope to Skype with them on Christmas Day.