THE GIVER OF ALL GIFTS

We were recently pondering the story of the 10 Lepers who were all cured from leprosy by our Savior.  We think that each of those healed were thankful and rejoiced with their new life, celebrating with their friends and families.  However, only one of the ten returned to the Giver of the Gift and fell at his feet.  The Bible tells us that the lepers were healed as they were on their way to visit the priests.  We have no idea how far away the priests were.  They could have been miles down the road, yet this ONE cleansed leper turned back to show gratitude for his gift.  How often do we enjoy gifts from the Lord, but fail to give thanks to Him, the Giver of the Gift?  

In this month of Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the many blessings we receive from the Giver of All Gifts.  

We experience many rainbows, in this land of sun and rain, but we continue to be in awe of their beauty and the laws by which they are formed.

We took this rainbow picture tonight, from the front porch of our Grenada Apartment.  We aren't living in Grenada permanently yet, because our permits haven't been approved, but we are visiting this week and doing some assignments from President Mehr.  This is a spectacular view!  An hour later we went out and watched the full moon come up in the same spot....then we strolled down to the harbor and sat on the pier.  Pretty fun!  If we have to be working, this is an awesome place to do it.

This gorgeous spot is where baptisms take place in Grenada.    The picture was taken from the church which is on the top of the hill overlooking the bay.

                         This is the line of people trekking from the church down to a baptism the morning           after we got here

 Sisters Cragon and Kime taught Sabrina Deokaran, who was baptised by Dan Pierce, the gospel essentials teacher

                  Elders Hazlett and Dall assisting with the baptism, so that no one slips and falls

                                        Our buddies, Lizzy and Tytan Wright at the baptism

Earlier in the week, before we left for Grenada, we had some very choice experiences with our young force of missionaries.  Elders Blackburn and Little invited us to come to a teaching assignment with an investigator named Shevy (that's short for Shevorn). She lives in a very humble shack with no running water.  She did have power, which she called "clothesline electricity".  Her Aunt Jenny, who is a member of our church, came to the lesson, as well, and brought with her a computer and a small plug-in box which has it's own "hot spot" for wireless internet.  Jenny hooked up with her mother (Ivy Richards) in New York, and we had a Skyped missionary lesson given by the Elders.  Ivy is Shevy's grandmother and she is also a church member.  Shevy hasn't seen her for 20 years.  Ivy gave the opening prayer, via Skype.  This was an incredible experience.  The spirit in the room was incredible.  Of course, we had to get special permission to do this!!!!  The day is soon coming, however, when all missionaries will be able to teach via the internet.  D&C 84:62

                                  Elders Blackburn and Little with Serenity, Shevy's daughter

                                                Shevy and her son, Zion.  Cool name!

                                                                          Serenity

                                    Jenny Richards, in the green shirt, talking on the computer

The night-time bikers, Elders Little and Blackburn.  They are hard workers!!!  Great missionaries!

This week was Zone Conference for Trinidad & Tobago.  For the last month, President and Sister Mehr have been traveling to the 11 different countries in our mission to do Zone Conferences.  Our conference was the last leg of the trip.  Last the best of all the game!  (Until we live somewhere else, then that will be the best).  Trinidad Conference took two days with 2 different groups.  Silly me, I forgot to take pictures of my own Zone, but got them of the Zones that met the second day.  What was I thinking?  I wasn't!!!  I was in charge of lunch, that's why I wasn't thinking!

Now, this little place has Christmas written all over it!!!  Let the celebration begin.  We have been 

told that people here get new curtains and clean up and paint their homes for Christmas.  This, I guess, proves that point.

Some of our Senior Couples are leaving us, so we went out to eat before they depart.  If you'll notice, many of the women are draped in beach towels.  It's the "in" thing to do nowadays.  Actually, it was FREEZING in the restaurant!

                                                        Sisters Monson and Ray

Elder and Sister Black are on their way home to Arizona.  We will miss them.  They kept our office running like a well oiled machine.  It could have been a complicated mess, but they are pros!  Good job guys!!!

                            The Thompson's are being transferred to St. Martin.  Lucky them!

Just some candid shots at our Zone Meeting.  Elder Scott wearing the candy bowl.

                                          The Elders love the juice boxes.  Elder Blackburn

                                                                        Elder Evans

It's been another huge week, but we are happy to be busy!!!!!!  The work goes on and it is true.  Spread the good word!  Show your love for the Lord and gratitude for His Atonement by bringing souls unto Him.