Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!



Wow, this was a great day.  You get baptised in the ocean if you are too tall for the font.  He is a great young man. 




Those elders!  Mike looks confused.




At Punta da Hidalgo.  Collecting my rock.




The ferry to Gran Canaria.




A double rainbow!




The elders taking a picture of the food table. 

We had a fun Thanksgiving adventure!  We were able to go to the island of Gran Canaria by ferry (with our car) to the old mission home for zone conference.  The Eynon's that live in the mission home and the Aultman's from the island of La Palma were there along with 12 young missionaries.  President Watkins and Sister Watkins came also.  After much cooking we had a great feast. Brother Eynon was able to find two big turkeys.  We had dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce from a can and apple, chocolate and pumpkin pies.  Mike Knight was at work making the apple and chocolate pies.  Lots of other good food was served too.   We also had many funny stories to tell about the growing pains of being new missionaries on these islands.  We were cracking up!  The time helped us all so much.  We all miss our families back home but we also feel dedicated to helping the work of our church move forward.  There are some people that when they hear about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they are so excited because it was just what they had been praying for.  That makes for a great day!
On Friday we were able to attend the zone conference meetings. It was really rewarding and we all felt the Spirit.  The missionaries are so bright and work so hard that it is an example to all of us. 
We are feeling much more at home now.  We walk a lot in the city.  We are getting to know it better but it is a huge city.  There are many several beautiful parks and a great opera center.  We know how to ride the bus now and the train. 
In the south of the island it looks like the desert, very dry and rocky,  but as you go north it gets greener.  This is a volanic island so when you go toward the middle of the island you are going up at a steep grade.  As you go up it does get colder.  We can't wait to go to Teide, the volcano.  It is supposed to be very beautiful and the altitude is so high it has its own climate there.  It is the highest peak in Spain.
We miss everyone, especially at the holidays. Kisses and hugs to the grandkids.


Our wonderful group of kids!




Sister Eynon cooking up a storm!




Zone conference





Las Palmas in Gran Canaria




We have some tiny people here!  One of our sweet members we met walking on the street.

 We are being blessed in many ways and watched over.  Love to everyone!

Time is passing quickly!

We are doing well here in Santa Cruz.  We are getting to know everyone and they are getting to know us too.  Mike is doing very well with his spanish and I am as they say..."poco a poco".  Learning a little by little.
We have 2 new missionaries here working with us and they are great!  So we now have 4 in our area and 2 in the south of us.  It is fun for us to meet them on these busy city streets talking with people.  They brighten our day.
We fill our day with visiting members and leaving a message, working with the youth, helping with english classes, helping the missionaries with their lessons, studying our spanish, getting to know the city and people and many other things.
  We do love working with the JAS  (young single adults).  They are fun and they think WE are funny because of our spanish or lack of!  We are finding ways to get everyone together and enjoy each others company in doing meaningful things together.  We hope we are helping them become good leaders.

                                       Elder Mills and Elder Rodriguez!

                                              The African Market!

                              El Parque de Sanabria.  Very beautiful tropical park. 

 Elder Hilton....first day on the job!  Mopped the kitchen without a complaint!

                                The Branch president of Los Christianos!

The new elders in town...elder Lopez and elder Hilton!

The people here are wonderful in that whatever they do or talk about......they are excited about it!
We have tried out the great bus system here and the tranvia (train).  We love walking the city to see all the old buildings and tiny streets.  Watch out for the dog pooh though.  Everyone has a dog and some areas it is not a requirement to clean up.  Yikes.  We have been to the African market two times.  There are many fresh meats, spices and vegetables from all over.  Mike found his favorite brazilian drink called guarana. 
My specialty now is baking brownies or banana bread.  We wrap them up individually and give a little treat.  American baked goods are a favorite.  You can't beat the bread here though.  The panitos are the best!
Some sad news was that the couple that we replaced here were in a very bad accident back in their state of Idaho and Sister Andrews was killed and Brother Andrews was injured.  We were very sorry to hear this, and the people here were crushed.  The Andrews were well loved and did many, many good things during and after their 2 years here.  They had only been home 3 months but had continued with the wonderful relationships they had formed here.   Sister Andrews will really be missed and our thoughts go out to Brother Andrews.
Our testimonies have been strengthened by the wonderful members and missionaries here.  We realize our many blessings and feel grateful everyday for our families, our health and our faith.
Love always.