Today was the big day here in many ways. We had the largest crowd here since we have been here...about 350. We had the small pageant that shows the nativity scene and we had two sheep and a donkey. There was supposed to be a llama dressed in drag as a camel, but it didn't make it. These pictures of the lights didn't turn out very good, but I'll include them tonight and take some more tomorrow with another camera. The day was wonderful.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving. We ate with three other missionary couples, the Schucks, the Johnstons, and the Charchenkos. We had, as you can see, a fabulous meal and good conversation. We always have a great time together. To say we are thankful seems so weak when we consider the feelings we have about our situation.

The weather has turned to white here and it is beautiful...though difficult. We are going to have to get snow tires put on the car. With 6-8" of snow fallen on the place, it is obvious that we will have to have something more than what we have on the car to be able to make it work. Though we are only 1 mile from the site, it is a difficult mile...at least the first 1/5th of a mile. Isn't this beautiful?!!

This is a picture I drew for Elder Chen as he had requested. I didn't like the picture at first, but now I really like it. This old talent is coming back as I work at it. Tell me what you think this picture denotes. The temple...to save you time looking it up, is the Las Vegas Temple. That is where Elder Chen lives...well, not right there but near there.

Well, I haven't posted anything for a few days because I have been under the weather...I have had pneumonia and/or bronchitis. I am getting better rapidly because of a blessing that the FM missionaries(Gene and Mike)gave me. We are really getting slow now, but still get a few tours...based I believe on how badly we want them and how fervent and sincere our prayers are. I am including some of the beautiful things from here. That's right...one of the most beautiful things is that we get to study the scriptures etc. everyday. We discuss concepts and principles that we read about and it is fantastic. The next picture is just one of our site.

There is a man in the ward here by the name of Bro. Dunkle. He coaches a cross country team for a tech school somewhere nearby. He brought a young man to church today from his team. He wanted the young fellow to meet me and have me take him on a tour. He was hoping for an athlete connection of some sort. Though I was not on duty today, they asked me to take them on a tour. I did and testified to the young man that Joseph Smith was a prophet and he restored the gospel in this dispensation. He was an unlearned young boy of maybe twenty and so I tried to structure the tour to meet his need. He seemed very interested and the young missionaries were there and filled in a little on the gospel at a level he could understand. We showed him a short clip about "life" and "purpose". He was very interested and wants to come back next Sunday to watch the Joseph Smith story. I am excited and so are the young missionaries. That's them in the picture minus the one on the right of the picture...he has been transferred.

You will notice that I am not posting everyday, because we do have to work now and then. The days are shorter now, so we have more time off. We actually miss going to the site because we want to have people come so we can talk to them. We have gone with the young elders to a lady in the ward whom we will be fellowshipping back into activity. She has had a tough time of it, but is a nice person and would like to come to church. We will be taking her each day.
We have to go out into the country to get her...well the whole place is out in the country, but this is a little more out in the country. The bears here are no real threat because we have guys like this one that help out!!!! What do you think?

Now...I will need some comments on this one. This is a monument (headstone) in the Hope cemetery just outside Barre, VT. Maybe the caption to this should be "Just wait a minute Charlie, you're not gone yet!" or "One more beat honey, then the house is mine!" Who would think this is an appropriate headstone? No...Shugga!!! Okay...maybe this will do it. "Just be still you %#@&*, the poison will kick in any minute now!"

OUR DAY IN MONTPELIER...THE CAPITAL OF VT

We took the young Elders up to Montpelier today for a district meeting. While they were in their meeting, we drove around the capitol and took some pictures of churches and some of the old houses and interesting buildings. Our next adventure will be...you'll have to log in to see on the next posting.

ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND LIGHTS!!!

The "FM" group are hard at work stringing of 160,000 lights. One of the church employees said that is about 10,000 more than last year. These good people are readying the place for the celebration that starts the day after Thanksgiving. There will be a lighting ceremony and then a live nativity scene. There will be a donkey, two sheep and a llama. It will be 'cross-dressed' to look like a camel!!! Notice the missionaries helping Sister Starley. She is one of the Facilities Management missionaries. Wonderful lady. Great missionaries.

Great Barns of New England!

Our last "P" day was one where we went to the countryside and took pictures of some of the great barns of New England. These are a few of them. Two are my favorites...which do you think they are? Let me know. Elder Fisher

This is Sunday and it has been amazing. The spirit that was in our Fast and Testimony meeting was phenomenal. We were on duty at the site from 1:30 until 5:00. I had two tours. Four in one...all non-members and two in the other...both non-members. I testified of the fact that Joseph was a prophet of God and that he restored the Gospel for this dispensation. After the first tour, I stepped outside with them as they walked up to the Monument. This is what I saw and thanks to my Droid, I caught this...something I have been waiting for for a long time. We are told in the dedicatory prayer that was given by Joseph Smith Jr.'s nephew...Joseph F. Smith declared among other things that the monument would never see the effects of the elements. It wouldn't shine like this if there had been any weathering. It is almost 106 years old. I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Well...Elder Craig has been transferred to a place about 70 miles from here and we will get to see him once in awhile. His new comp is a good Elder and will be singing with Elder Craig. Elder Craig told us he would be able to sing in the choir there now. He seems excited though he didn't like leaving his buddy Elder Barnes. Barnes will be here likely until he goes home to Arizona.
Today was a good day for quality, but not for quantity. I had one tour...a couple from Oregon. They were not members of the church though a daughter and some other relative were. They were open to the entire tour and seemed to like it. The man worked as a Santa Claus and has for the last 7 winters. He works for two months then goes home to Oregon for the rest of the year. He has white hair and a white beard and actually looks like Santa. They were nice people.
We had Zone Conference here today and it was fabulous...as usual. I don't want to miss any of them. Sister Wilkey was so spiritual today and such a wonderful person. President Wilkey was not too bad either. Great leaders.

I just included some of my favorite pictures from the site.