THANKSGIVING DAY!
It is really a time to count our blessings this year -- among them are freedom, the love we feel for our family and friends, the opportunity we have to serve the Lord here in Mérida, and many other things, too. And we had a great turkey dinner....
We were shopping at the Chedraui supermarket near us last week with the Smiths, who needed basic essentials for their apartment and their missionary pantry, when we saw a Pavos Parson turkey in the meat compartment. ¡Viva Chihuahua! Sis. Smith was very willing to help us prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for our little group.
The turkey stayed in our freezer until Wednesday, when it occupied the place of honor in the Jacuzzi overnight to thaw. From 4:30 A.M. until 12:00 noon our apartment smelled sooo good! Then Gerhard had the privilege of carving the bird, while I did the finer trimming.
During the week we met a missionary couple, Elder and Sister Mortenson, who have recently come to work with Institute and Young Adults (18-30 years old, married or unmarried) in the stakes in the city. They had resigned themselves to not celebrate Thanksgiving this year, so the invitation to come to dinner was very welcome. We had another "small world" experience when we learned that Elder Mortenson had served on the High Council from Elfrida, Arizona, and knows Chris Whetten and his uncle, Cliff Whetten!
We divided up the menu among the three couples, with the Dyers furnishing the big table and the dishes, since they are still coping with health issues. As usual, when shopping in Mexico, we had to substitute or do without, since there was no sage for the turkey dressing, no green onions for the scalloped potatoes and no pumpkin in any form for pie, but we had a good dinner and enjoyed being together in a relaxed social setting for a change.
Sister Dyer presented the Mortensons with a flower arrangement for their missionary home. Sister Smith has made bouquets from flowers that had been used in previous temple arrangements, and this was the first to be given away.
The Oropezas are usually much more jolly than this picture shows.
We could all relax and wear casual clothes. Sister Smith was happy that the dishes were done and there was food left to share for our midnight snacks.
Pres. Dyer gave thanks for all that we are enjoying at this time and prayed wonderful blessings for us and our families so far away. He and Sister Dyer were great hosts and appreciative of the efforts everyone made.
We were shopping at the Chedraui supermarket near us last week with the Smiths, who needed basic essentials for their apartment and their missionary pantry, when we saw a Pavos Parson turkey in the meat compartment. ¡Viva Chihuahua! Sis. Smith was very willing to help us prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for our little group.
The turkey stayed in our freezer until Wednesday, when it occupied the place of honor in the Jacuzzi overnight to thaw. From 4:30 A.M. until 12:00 noon our apartment smelled sooo good! Then Gerhard had the privilege of carving the bird, while I did the finer trimming.
During the week we met a missionary couple, Elder and Sister Mortenson, who have recently come to work with Institute and Young Adults (18-30 years old, married or unmarried) in the stakes in the city. They had resigned themselves to not celebrate Thanksgiving this year, so the invitation to come to dinner was very welcome. We had another "small world" experience when we learned that Elder Mortenson had served on the High Council from Elfrida, Arizona, and knows Chris Whetten and his uncle, Cliff Whetten!
We divided up the menu among the three couples, with the Dyers furnishing the big table and the dishes, since they are still coping with health issues. As usual, when shopping in Mexico, we had to substitute or do without, since there was no sage for the turkey dressing, no green onions for the scalloped potatoes and no pumpkin in any form for pie, but we had a good dinner and enjoyed being together in a relaxed social setting for a change.
Sister Dyer presented the Mortensons with a flower arrangement for their missionary home. Sister Smith has made bouquets from flowers that had been used in previous temple arrangements, and this was the first to be given away.
The Oropezas are usually much more jolly than this picture shows.
We could all relax and wear casual clothes. Sister Smith was happy that the dishes were done and there was food left to share for our midnight snacks.
Pres. Dyer gave thanks for all that we are enjoying at this time and prayed wonderful blessings for us and our families so far away. He and Sister Dyer were great hosts and appreciative of the efforts everyone made.
Chris showed mock horror as I read off that there was no sage or green onions, but when he found out there was no pumpkin pie he said that really was a tradgedy. :)
ReplyDeleteYour turkey looks delicious! I'm glad you found some other peoples to celebrate turkey day with!
ReplyDelete