FIRST THANKSGIVING NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday Yosh,

It's been quite chilly over here in England yet the sun has been out every single day this week. It's quite the conundrum. It was -9 degrees celcius yesterday morning. I don't know how cold that is but it sounds freezing. I still haven't purchased a coat but I snagged an old one from the zone leaders flat and it is ugly. Keeps me warm though. We are headed out to the trafford centre today and I might man up and purchase myself a coat. We'll see though.

I went on another exchange with Elder Helzer this past week. We spent two days here in the swinton area together. He's a great missionary, great work ethic and his desire to better himself is quite apparent. He also has a crazy german accent which is great. His clip on tag broke this week and he had no way of putting his tag on his coat so I included a picture of how he wore it that night. Very very funny.

We had a baptism this saturday. Ebenezer and Girmaye Liban. They are the sons of Gedo and Fatuma Godona. They were both baptised about two years ago. They lived in Ethiopia about ten years ago and due to problems in ethiopia they had to flee to kenya and their sons were taken somewhere safe in Ethiopia. Then about two years ago they ran into more trouble in Kenya and the british government air lifted them out of africa and gave them a place to live in salford. After ten years, they were finally reunited with their sons in October. They have spent a lot of time and money trying to locate and then prove that Ebenezer and Girmaye are their children. We have had the incredible experience of teaching them and their parents have been amazing in helping us overcome the language barrier.

Their baptism was incredible. Gedo baptised them both and Elder Green and I had the opportunity to witness and give talks as well. The funny part was is that we practiced with gedo quite a few times before the baptism and he has trouble saying the word baptise. He always said "baptism you". Then when it was ebenezer's turn to be baptised, of course he says "I baptism you", Ebenezer started laughing under his breath. It was so funny, but he finally got it. Got some pictures for you as well. I am so excited for the life that will be ahead of them because of their decision to be baptised.

I received one of your packages this week as well. It officially looks like a christmas bomb went off in our flat. I'm guessing i'm not allowed to open the wrapped part until christmas, correct me if i'm wrong. I sent you a picture of the snowmen i made. I'm funny.

We had our sports day this friday and it was actually quite fun. I played american football, basketball and volleyball for six hours straight and i've been feeling it for quite a few days now. I am extremely sore and I think I will refrain from exercise for the rest of my life. It's just not for me. So that was our thanksgiving, we also got to take an hour and a half tea, whoopie. I had chicken nuggets for thanksgiving dinner.

I have had like twenty tea appointments since i've been in the ward and I have only eaten two things. Chili and Rice or Chicken, potatoes, sausage and carrots. They are obsessed with their potatoes. I can't remember if I have already told you this. Every meal they have every kind of potato you can think of, mashed, roast, fried, it's ridiculous. But it's food so I aint complaining. Our ward mission leader just got released so that kind of blows and they still haven't called a new one. The ward can be a little sloppy sometimes I have found out.

Not much is new over here. Elder Green and I are still working hard. Glad to hear about Josh's tourney. You drove all the way to vegas for two games of football, that seems a little silly. Make sure he knows I said happy birthday and if I wasn't thousands of miles away I might get him something. Anyway I will speak to you all next week.

Trace