First of all we want to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving. In case you don't know, this is not a holiday in Ireland, but we are aware that it is coming this week, and we will still celebrate it by being thankful for each of YOU. We are happy to be serving this mission, but even though we are far from home, you are each so important in our lives. We are grateful for your support and love and hope the holiday is fun for you. The YSA have actually asked us to cook Thanksgiving dinner for them, so they can know what it is like (totally not our idea!) but even if we could get the right foods, and even if the climate were the same so the foods would turn out, it would not be like home---We will miss everyone bringing their favorite pies, and best recipes all around. We will miss the hugs and fun of the grandkids, football games, the craft times, combing through the newspaper ads and all the crazy shopping times, the game sessions, the sledding or whatever else fun activity gets put together and so many more wonderful traditions. Thanksgiving is truly worth being thankful about!
Second, we will update you the little bit we know about our upcoming move. We have heard they have a car for us--we are hoping it is 4-wheel drive, but think it isn't. We have heard they have an apartment for us, and hope it is warm and a little better than our present flat. (We are frustrated this week because we have not had internet connection at all, and the water is even lower pressure which causes some problems with the washer and it's hard to shower.) We are crossing our fingers that this move will be comfy --but regardless, we are more sure every day that we are going. We think we are leaving on Dec 15 with a temporary 90 day visa, meaning we will likely come back to Ireland for a bit (which is very good for us!) We have heard folks say we will not even get to see Sweden in the daylight for awhile because it is so far north--but we think it is an exaggeration. And several say that it is very cold (but a dry cold--so more like home). And many say it is beautiful and we will love it, so we are happy for all good reports.
This week has been quite busy and the upcoming week is really scheduled tight--- but with so many good things. Probably the most fun thing has been teaching our friend Polo. We mentioned her in our letter last week and we are glad to report that she has been doing well with the lessons. Thank you for your prayers. We have taught her almost every day--as she requested, because they are going back to South Africa this coming Saturday on business for a few months and she is anxious to learn all she can. We have not wanted to push a baptism date to be more important than truly gaining a testimony, but she is so prepared. Our lesson times have gone long and she has been such an incredible investigator. We thought she had been taught some lessons, but apparently not because she wants to learn everything from us ---and her responses are wonderful. So many things in her life have prepared her for the gospel and she really recognizes the reasons behind the doctrines. Her baptism and confirmation are scheduled for Friday night, so we are looking forward to the day.
Here is a cute story about Polo this week: On Friday we didn't teach her, because she had a shopping day planned with a friend (non-member). That evening she called and said she had a good day and she was proud of herself. She said her friend suggested they go get a drink of wine, but Polo declined, saying she doesn't do that anymore. The friend then said, "I've been thinking I could see you changing, are you starting that religion of your husband?" Polo said yes she was. Then the friend asked if she was already a member and Polo said, "not yet." So the friend said, "then you can still have a drink of wine." Polo's answer was, "no, I am already a Mormon in my heart." Great huh!
And here is one more funny thing. We were talking to the missionaries about her husband, Wellington, a very intelligent man who we were able to help bring into the Church about 5 months back. He is now the Elders Quorum teacher and we hear he does such a good job. We smile because he even tells us how well his lessons go. Anyway, the missionaries were telling us that some people in the ward think he will be the next bishop. His answer to them was, "Well, first we need to get my wife baptized." We love their comfortable way of settling into being Mormons!
This week we had three "devotionals" scheduled for 3 consecutive nights (one from each stake), but in the end one got bumped to next week for good reasons. It was an all-time first to have so many budding groups in a row. The funnier thing is that we didn't even realize that we were breaking a record for ourselves because we are just trying to keep up with the way things are popping. The two that did happen were very successful, especially since they are in small branches. One group even had two non-members come, and the other one was a little hard to get organized because the members wanted to take multiple classes! Both of these branches are being supported by senior couples who are now willing to take on the role of SR specialists for their branches. This is an idea that is being implemented in Ireland that we think is going to catch on in many areas. The devotional that is postponed to next week is even more innovative because we were given permission (from the Mission President) to let young missionaries lead a Job Search class to help their investigators. We feel such miracles as these branches are able to have the blessings of SR come to them. There is power when saints put their faith in the Lord to help them lift themselves to higher goals.
Now in case you think we are not having any genuine fun, this week we had two great nights out. The first was a Relief Society activity that Grandma was invited to (we have become good friends with the Relief Society President) , to go to dinner and then to the Broadway show, "Sister Act". It was a very fun night (no host) with 42 sisters attending! The remarkable thing was how difficult it was for everyone to get transportation there--but they did it and it was so bonding. They had less actives, and non-members, and moms and sisters come along. It was a great success.
The second night out was an invitation to dinner from the former Belfast Stake Specialists that we have not seen in quite a few months. We ate fabulous food (steak and lobster) at a quaint little restaurant on the bay and just visited for hours. We learned about their brave move from South Africa (white discrimination and crime) and their difficult, but very successful, endeavors to build a business here. They are really an example of righteous prosperity with a strong motivation to help others. It was a delightful time!
And then to top off the week we will tell you about Nick. We really think he is getting close to being able to be baptized, but it is not easy for him even though he wants to, and he is so lonely for family. His brother was going to join him in Ireland, but the plans changed (probably a good thing for now) and he was feeling low. You probably remember he is trying ever so hard to quit smoking. Thursday night we had a few hours open and went to his house to read scriptures with him and just talk. It was a wonderful time together and we ended with Grandpa giving him a blessing. He did better the next two days, but not a complete stop. Then today, we made a special effort to take him to church in the ward he is supposed to be in, since he moved, but doesn't have friends at all there. He was a good sport about it, but not thrilled. But the Spirit really came with such power to bless his efforts. The meetings were wonderful and he said he felt the Spirit so strongly. We introduced him to people we know and they were great to him. We have to say that another surprise about our mission is, it is remarkable how when we are trying to help others build their testimony, that we also feel our testimonies growing in significant ways. We know that the Lord loves each of His children--and us.
So yes, we have much to be thankful for this year. We wish we could zip home and give you all a big hug, eat some of your fabulous food, and enjoy all the warmth of the holiday, but we are doing well. We LOVE you and we love serving the Lord, so we are thankful!!
May all the joys of the holiday be with you and your families!
Love,
Grandpa and Grandma,
Dad and Mom,
Lynne and Lanette
Elder and Sister Pettit
This is our good friend John Hannon singing "Danny Boy." When we get home, we will play it for you - it is a real treat. John really watched out for us!
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