A Guyanese Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, it is not on the radar screen for most Guyanese. There is no canned pumpkin for pies and we had to search high-and-low for a turkey and cranberry sauce. Still, we had a lovely day . . . though not wholly traditional. The menu included turkey and gravy, cook-up rice and pumpkin stew, and two kinds of dessert. The guests included a dozen missionaries currently serving in the Georgetown area who also brought garlic mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, roti, and homemade root beer, adding to the eclectic menu.

Following their regular weekly district meeting, we all sat down together to feast and to count our blessings – though we are mindful of the upcoming election here in Guyana for which we have all been warned to “lie low” for a few days. But these young men – all “ten feet tall and bullet proof” – are not concerned, so we hope they are obedient!

I am counting my blessings today, including my beautiful family, the opportunity to serve the Lord here in the West Indies, members who are finding employment and building their skills, and that we are American citizens!!!

What Kind of Mom?

Someone sent me a link to a website to help identify "What Kind of Movie Mom Are You?" through a simple short quiz. My answers to 10 multiple-choice questions "revealed" my movie Mom-style is "incredible—and not just because you are one of The Incredibles. Like Helen Paar, aka Elastigirl, you stretch in hard times to become what your family needs the most at the moment—a parachute, a speed boat, or a spy. Whip-smart, efficient, and fearless, you display the kind of leadership qualities which are truly heroic, as you are called on to save the day, again and again."

I'd like to think this is pretty accurate, but sure wish I looked as good as Helen Parr looks in red spandex.

"Minute to Win It" A Hit at Georgetown YSA

 

I wasn’t sure if our YSA’s would enjoy my idea for a high-spirited and hysterically funny evening of “Minute to Win It!” but I needn’t have worried, since they – like young people everywhere – like to have fun! Thanks to Jan’L for sending me the rules of the game for “back flip,” “candy elevator,” “dizzy mummy,” “extreme hanky,” “cookie face,” “junk in the trunk,” “noodlin’ around,” and other challenges from the popular TV game show. At the end of the evening, when asked if they would like to do it again, if I can find some new challenges, the response was an enthusiastic “YES!”
We love these kids, and now can’t wait to see my own family – maybe at Cuz’N Camp - playing these sidesplitting games!!!

Ordaining Selwin

Elder Sappington had a wonderful experience on Sunday, November 13 when 18-year-old Selwin Lovell (red shirt) asked him to ordain him to the office of an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood in preparation for leaving on a mission. Selwin, and his absolutely IDENTICAL twin brother Simeon, are getting ready to submit their paperwork and wanted someone to ordain them who could provide their priesthood line-of-authority back to Jesus Christ. Elder Sappington had his so he "got the job!"

Secretary School Graduation

Five more members of the most recent Secretary School graduated today. Rawattie Bhagwandin, Amanda Major, Mala Bramdeo, Yougita (“Annie”) Rahman and Monalisa Stewart were excellent students. Annie (lime green shirt) is bi-lingual. She has been told there is a job waiting for her at the Venezuelan Embassy if she can learn the computer. Monalisa (purple shirt), who has never held a job, is thrilled to know she now has a marketable skill.

After the final examination and graduation, I stepped out of the room for a few minutes to help someone else, leaving them to continue practicing. When I returned they presented me with a note they had created (on the computer) signed by all five of them. It reads, “A famous peace activist once said, ‘Wisdom is knowing what to do. Virtue is doing it!’ Therefore, you are obviously both wise and virtuous. Please accept our sincere thanks for volunteering your time to help us learn and understand the computer. Your generosity will benefit us tremendously now and for years to come. We truly, truly appreciate you!”

Cat Burglar Strikes

“Kitty,” who has now become quite comfortable in our apartment, recently found himself in a difficult situation. While visiting, Kitty was startled by the appearance of 6’3” Gavin Bynoe who stopped by for help developing his resume for a job interview. In an effort to hide or escape, Kitty crawled into the window and – at least in his mind – became stuck in the grid! The more we tried to help him, the more hysterical he became . . . so as any good blogger knows, the solution to this kind of problem is to grab a camera and snap pictures! Poor Kitty. While we laughed, he eventually found his way out of this predicament, but is now too embarrassed to show his face again. We think he is holed up in the kitchen . . . but we can’t be sure (and BTW, all these pictures are correctly displayed).