Love the Herdman's

 Monday was a rainy day so we thought it would be a good day to go to the movies.  We had heard some of the other senior missionaries talk about "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" so we looked it up and saw it was playing close by our house.  We LOVED it!!  It's one of those movies that I'm going to want to watch over and over again.  I hope it comes out on Netflix or something so I can.

Tuesday Dan went over to Robert Taylor's house and helped rack up his leaves.  Leaves around here are crazy and everything is covered with them.  I think it's so pretty but also annoying.  After we went over to Sister Barneko's house and shared a Light the World video with her.  She loved it.  She kept saying, "Oh, look at the baby."  So sweet.  We had heard about a new member that had just moved into a house down the street from her, so we went over and met him, Johnnie Darty. He is in a wheelchair and doesn't get around very well, but such a nice guy who loves missionaries. He said he kept looking for the boys riding their bikes in white shirts.  We explained to him that we have sisters and they have a car.

Wednesday Sister Traynor called us in the morning and needed a ride to the doctors office.  We had tried the night before to make appointments with specific people, but some didn't respond and those that did weren't available. We were sitting at the table planning our day when she called. So we went and picked her up, thinking it would be a short visit to the doctor.  After seeing the doctor, going to the lab for tests and then X-rays, it ended up being about 4.5 hrs. That included picking up some for her to eat on the way home. She was so tired she could hardly walk up to her room. I guess that's why no one could see up that day, the Lord knew that was going to take a good part of our day,  

Thursday was District Council instead of Wednesday because of Mission Transfers.  We got a new sister in our Ward and a new Zone Leader and District Leader companion was new.  Lots of changes for our District.  After we had a couple of appointments so we down to East St. Louis.  But turned out our appointments fell through and no one was home.  So we stopped by Chris Mannies house.  He lives in some kind of facility where they take care of you.  We shared Light the World with him and invited him to come to church.  

Friday Robert Taylor needed a ride to his doctor's appointment in St. Louis so we picked him up at 7:00 am and took him over.  The hospital was just a few blocks from the Mission Office so we stopped by to get some Pass Along Cards to distribute at the  Belleville Thanksgiving Parade. On the way home Robert was hungry so we  decided to stop and get some breakfast. He suggested a  favorite place of his, The Golden Oak Restaurant.  He wanted us to try it out and was so kind in paying for us. It was a great breakfast. Later that day we visited Carolyn Heiman and shared Light the World video with her.  Then we went over to Caesar Castro's for a visit.  We had met Caesar at church but hadn't ever been to his house.  His family had just moved in and are doing some remodeling.  We met his "wife" (who he's not really married to and his 2 kids) His wife said she wasn't really interested to knowing anything about the church but was so kind and showed us all the upgrades they are doing.  We loved it.  The sisters joined us and we had a great visit.  Caesar is wanting to get married and rebaptized, but his "wife" doesn't want to marry yet, so he's patiently waiting.  But he shared his testimony with us and it was amazing.  He's a return missionary and such a great guy.  He has faith that someday it will all work out.

Saturday we did a few things around the house and then  headed back to  down to East St. Louis for a couple of appointments. 

Sunday was a great day and a number of returning members attended church.  Debbie Craig came!!  I was so excited.  Also Chris Mannie and Marcus Canada came. That was totally a happy surprise.  That afternoon we headed  to the airport to pick up EMILY AND JANE!!  So excited to have them for the week of Thanksgiving!  I couldn't believe how much luggage they brought.  4 suitcases and a carry on.  After we got home they opened up their suitcases and 2 were full of Christmas presents for us!  Shelly had sent us the 12 days of Christmas and so had Emily and Jane.  I couldn't believe it.  We have 24 presents under our cute little Christmas Tree, 1 present to open every day until Christmas.  What a fun surprise for us.  

After dinner we played a new game we learned called BANK and watched a movie.  I'm so happy to have some family with us for Thanksgiving!!  YAY!!!