Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey Family,

How is everything going back at home? The work is going great here in Siparia and I am LOVING it! This week was really hard, and we are still struggling with everything that has been going on here, specifically the lack of support from the members. We are working through it though. So the story of the week is from Sunday Morning. Usually we wake up and get ready for church, and then go wait out on the road for a taxi to pick us up. It is usually a little bit difficult for us to catch travel so we try to get out there pretty early. Well, we were standing out there for probably 15 minutes or so with no luck, until a grey van pulled up, I could see through the wind shield that it was a family that was wearing white shirts like they were headed for church, and when I looked closer I realized that it was President Gamiette, and his whole family. Haha It was a shocker! Well we hopped in the car and drove with them, He asked us about the work, and we told him that it was a little bit slow, but that our sacrament attendance is going up. Now this week, we have been working really hard, trying to strengthen the branch so that we will be able to comfortably bring investigators to church. To be honest as we went throughout the week, it didnt really feel like we were seeing much success. When we got to church, we were the only people there besides the branch president and one of his councelors. Well slowely but surely the church started to fill up. Last week, we had an attendance of 27, which we were very happy about, so this week, we were hoping to at least top that. Well, people just kept coming and coming! It was amazing!!! A couple of the families that we visited this week came to church, and almost all of the chairs were full. We had 42 people there!!! I could not believe it! After church we were really excited, and really niether of us could believe what had really just happened! The only bad part was that we werent able to get any investigators there, but it was okay. This week, we met with Mary a couple of times, and were able to watch prophet of the restoration with her. I love that movie, even though I have seen it about 50 times! She got stuck at her sisters house on saturday though so she wasnt able to make it to church. Then Yesterday for P-Day, the senior couples through a Thanksgiving dinner for all the missionaries in trinidad! It was amazing and we had alot of fun, I still cant believe how much I ate though! Well, I am sorry this email is so short, and that I wasnt able to email yesterday, but I need to get to work today. I am glad to hear that Taylor is home, but I really cannot believe it! Tell him to shoot me an email or a letter soon! It sounds like you are doing great and enjoying life, maybe even a little bit too much with all these vacations you are taking! Well, mom, its finally here, you are going to be 50 just now! That is half way to 100 you know! I love you all and I am so greatful for the love and support that you guys give to me. Keep the emails and letters coming!

Love,
Elder Gines