Week 75

I can't believe another week has already come and gone. I know I probably say that a lot, but it's true. My brain cannot wrap around the fact that in about 3 weeks we will have been on this mission for 18 months! This week we visited a few people we hadn't seen in a while. We saw our good friends JD and his daughter, Lorie Ann. They are some of the first people we met while serving in the Woodington Ward. We also went to dinner with Vickie and Chester Wiggins (we see them all the time) and our long-time friends Bernard and Roseann Jones. Our boys played T ball and basketball together when they were little. The dads coached and the moms were the best cheerleaders.

Roseann, Bernard, Susan, Vickie, Chester, Dwight

We've mentioned our friend Charlemise several times, but I always forget to take a picture. After our visit on Wednesday, we took this picture. She is such a sweet, good girl. It's in her nature to be kind and to follow Jesus.

Charlemise and Susan

Some of the members of the Haitian Group had a new experience this week. They sang in a choir for our Stake Nativity Walk (Crèche Festival). Most of them had never heard the songs before. I don't think any of them had ever sung in a choir. We only had two Sundays and right before the event to practice. They did great! Monica even sang a solo! She is so brave! They want to have a Haitian Group Choir be a regular thing! I love that it was a good experience for them.

Choir singing at the Nativity Walk

Our fabulous Zone at the Nativity Walk

Dwight, Monica, & Susan at the Nativity Walk.

The Elders from Mount Olive...
Elders Hafen, Hansen, Bates, and Smithson.
They are amazing!

Monica and Susan at the Nativity Walk.

We got to spend some time with the Albertson Ward at their Christmas party... I'm sure I'm repeating myself again... I love the people in Albertson!!! I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I was enjoying visiting and forgot. :)

The Albertson Sisters

What's a ward Christmas party without Santa?
This Santa happens to be a close relative of Dwight's.

Another highlight this week was the Albertson Christmas Parade. We got there late, actually right as it was starting. We followed the emergency vehicles... firetrucks, etc. to their place in the parade, then we pulled off the road in an empty field across from the starting point of the parade. It was a much bigger parade than I expected. Here are a few pictures.

Lifted truck... how do they get in that thing?

Santa in his sleigh

The Albertson Ward float. It's a tractor with a
nativity and a bunch of youth and adults. I didn't
get my camera out in time to get a good picture.

Saturday we took a group of new Haitian members to the temple to do baptism for ancestors. We had two young women, two young adult men, and an adult woman. We had a great trip... much learning, an abundance of the Spirit, and lots of laughter on the drive up and back. These wonderful people have captured our hearts.

Alin, Dwight, Monica,
Susan, Ruthnael, James,
and Marie at the temple.

One night this week, we were leaving a friend's house, and we instantly noticed the moon. It was a brilliant sliver in the night sky. Without thinking, Dwight took out his phone and took a picture. I ran to the truck because it was freezing outside, but then took my phone out and took a picture. The beauty of God's creations never ceases to amaze us.

Dwight's photo (If you look closely in the top
left corner, you can see Venus.)

Susan's photo

We are so very grateful for the opportunities we are having as missionaries. As we are teaching others, we are learning so much. We love our Savior Jesus Christ! We are thankful for you, our family and friends. We love you all so much!

Sister and Elder Potter