Christmas Eve-Christmas Day, Dec. 24-25 2008

Christmas Eve was a busy day for us. Fred and Argentine went to set up a contract for wheelchair seat cushions. Our partner is a company called Benetate. This company is run by a disabled Russian woman. Her name is Liubovi. She has a wonderful attitude about being of service to those who are disabled. She employs many of them in the manufacturing of the seat cushions for the wheelchairs. She also provides all of the uniforms for the local police and military. I needed to buy food so I could help with the Christmas Eve party at the Telford's home. We could not get all of it done together, so I told Fred that I could find my way to Downtown Chisinau taking the trolley, and that I could get home again by myself. I did just that!! I took the #7 trolley to Stephen Chel mare ST. and walked to the piaza. There I bought some of the items that I needed. Then I walked to #1 ( a grocery store) and bought the remaining items that I needed. The problem is that I bought to much to carry home by myself, but I was able to get home anyway. I won't buy that much by myself again!!!!!! Where is the car when you need it. I don't think I will ever take the car for granted again. I also thought it would be easy to find the food that I needed, will its not. Its not even packaged the same. It's either written in Romanian or Russian and I can't read either one. I do allot of laughing at myself for feeling like I am about 2 years old, and trying to learn everything all over again. We had a fun evening at the Telford's with all the missionaries, and young single adults. Many of these young people had no other place to go for Christmas. We ate lots of good food, sang Christmas songs, and watched the Nativity Story. Christmas morning we went back to the Telford's to exchange gifts with the missionaries and eat breakfast. All the missionaries then made their calls to family,us included and it was good to skype family and see children and grandchildren. We love this time of year when we have time to reflect on those things that are most important to us all. How grateful we are to a loving Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ for the gift of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the Earth. We are grateful for the birth of Christ, and his atoning sacrifice that he made for each of us. We are thankful that families can be together forever!!! We are grateful that we can serve in this beautiful country, and bring the love of Christ to those in need. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.