November 28,2009

November 28, 2009

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James Wheeler
to Alyssa, Austin, Bobbi, Brenda&Justin, Brittney, Caleb, cass&mindy, Cheryl, Chris, Debbie, Don, Emily, Ferrall, Gary, Heather, Jane&Rick, John, John, Katharine, Kathy, Kory, Kylie, Megan, Mitchel, Neil, Neil&Carla

show details Nov 30 (13 days ago)

Dear family and friends,

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with the Elders and we hope that all of you at home did also. It is a great tradition and holiday to be grateful for our blessings and we have an abundance of them. We loved what was on the Church's website of interviews with people in New York City asking them what they were thankful for. It comes back to love of family and faith in God. Good stuff!!!

The Elders left our apartment about 3 p.m. to go back to work. Elders Huntsman and Ackerman returned to their apartment and found that they had been robbed for the second time in a week. We did not feel good about their safety at that point and have been looking for another apartment for them. They have been staying with the zone leaders at night until today. We found a very nice and secure apartment for them with great access to the area that they are working in. They will not have to walk as far and they will be living next door to the landlord who asked us today, when we signed the lease etc., if we thought they ( the Elders) would convert him and his wife. Good thought. It is amazing that when hard things come to us that if we endure it well it turns out to be a blessing.

Several weeks ago we told everyone about a man (Anthony Nichols) and his wife that were arriving at the beach where we had just held a baptism service. He told us that he had joined the Church several years ago in Toronto and had not been active for years. He has been coming to Church faithfully since then. We have been given strong counsel to call the local people and that we (missionaries) should not be doing things that they could. So, Sunday Elder Wheeler released himself as first counselor in the Calliaqua branch and Anthony Nichols was sustained as the first counselor. The blessings that we are seeing here are so exciting. Several other members were sustained in callings that will bless them so much as they stretch to magnify their callings. We spent most of the day Saturday supporting those who have been called to teach Seminary and Institute in Calliaqua. The Book of Mormon is the converter when read, pondered and prayed about and the vision is that as the youth's testimonies are strengthened the future of the Church in the Caribbean is bright.

We also attended the funeral of Shonette Charles. (I have been spelling her name wrong.) She is the young woman who has been so sick with stomach cancer. Her sister Iteca is a member in the Kingstown branch. The service was held in the Anglican Church and was very respectful. However, it would have been so comforting for the family if they had heard the plan of salvation; death is devastating without this "good news". It was also hard for us because we are used to feeling the spirit at such services and it didn't happen. Everyday we see examples of how much our lives are blessed with the gospel, makes us more bold in asking people good questions that make them think about what they really believe.

We think of everyone at home often and hope that all is well with you. Please read the Book of Mormon everyday. It blesses all who will do this faithfully so much! Till next week...
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