Thanksgiving Day and more

Thanksgiving Day came and went here in Belize.  Even though it's an American holiday, it was fun to celebrate it in Belize with the missionaries. We had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes,  gravy, veggies, cranberry sauce, jello, rolls, and a yummy pumpkin crunch dessert.   Where's the turkey, you ask?  He didn't show up, so we had chicken instead and pretended like it was turkey.  

Before our meal we watched, "In the Spirit of Thanksgiving".  The video has random people on the Streets of New York City responding to one simple question:   What are you thankful for?   

After we watched the video we shared what we were thankful for.  We all agreed that missionary service is on the top of our list of blessings this year. 

You can also see the video by clicking here

We enjoyed getting pictures of where our children spent Thanksgiving this year without us.   They were with different family and friends (from left to right) in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and California.

Speaking of being thankful to be a missionary, Elder Mérida's shoes tells it all of what it means to dedicate his life--well, two years of it (and his shoes) to serve our brothers and sisters here in Belize.  

As we visit people we invite them to read the Book of Mormon.  It is a second witness of Jesus Christ. I took a photo of one woman's open Book of Mormon, who we're teaching. She started reading it in September and is a diligent studier.  It's the only book of scripture that contains a  promise to the reader of how to learn of it's truthfulness, found in Moroni 10:4-5.  

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Sometimes missionary work is a gas. Here, Elder Magnusson is moving the empty butane tank out to be filled. All residences in Belize have tanks for fuel. Ours lasted four months. We're just glad it ran out the day after Thanksgiving!

This morning during Sunday School Class Elder Magnusson taught about the #LightTheWorld initiative.  Mormon.org explains what it is about:

No season of the year shines as bright as Christmas—and the brightest light is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Once again we celebrate His birth by making Christmastime a season of service. Join us this year as we learn His teachings and follow His example to #LightTheWorld.

This Christmas season, how will you #LightTheWorld? Start today at mormon.org to learn how you can be like the Savior, Jesus Christ. Serve as He did helping light the way for others. 

So, I will echo the words from mormon.org. How will you #LightTheWorld this Christmas season AND all year long?