I'll start by finishing off Christmas Day. After spending the a.m. with our zone of elders at the orphanage, the missionaries from all over Trinidad gathered for a Christmas feast at the mission home. That means there were about 60-70 there, including Pres. Gamiette's 5 children. Yes, that was a real feast.
Here's a few photos from the afternoon...
Off came the shoes as the elders arrived at the mission home...following the custom of the West Indies. I'm wondering where the rest of the shoes are. Hmmm....
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| From 12-2009 |
In the backyard, I began to give haircuts to the elders and ended up giving about 6 as we waited to be fed. Can you hear our stomachs growling? Elder Josiah Jones is in the hot seat waiting for me to get started. He looks like he's scowling at my 2 skirts I'm about to drape over his shoulders and lap to keep all the hair clippings off his clothes. Ha ha, he looked pretty funny draped in flowers.
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| From 12-2009 |
Out on the grass, the many of the elders tried to beat Pres. Gamiette at his game...table tennis. I think they all came up just a little short on points!
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| From 12-2009 |
Pres. Gamiette's youngest daughter, Amy, danced between the set tables, mesmerized by the Christmas lights on the tree as she waited for her dinner.
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| From 12-2009 |
Meanwhile, Elder Bullock shared a little more of his "old timer wisdom" with the young elders.
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| From 12-2009 |
After a scrumptious dinner of ham, funeral potatoes, homemade rolls, salads and French pastry made by Sister Gamiette, we all began to gather for our after-dinner program.
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| From 12-2009 |
Here's a closer look at the whole group, moving across the room from left to right.
In the front row you'll notice the President's 3 darling daughters. He has two sons, also, that look just like him. The President is sitting on the floor, looking not much older that the young elders.
Who is the madman seated on the piano bench? Hmm, I think it's Elder Olsen. He goes a little crazy when he gets anywhere near a piano!
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| From 12-2009 |
Sister McIntosh is on the front row...you'll see more photos later in this blog of Elder McIntosh.
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| From 12-2009 |
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| From 12-2009 |
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| From 12-2009 |
Elder Huntsman, you'd better be saving those kisses for next fall at BYU. Knowing you, you'll be wanting lots of them, then.
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| From 12-2009 |
Some group numbers by the elders.
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| From 12-2009 |
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| From 12-2009 |
And there's that mad man, Elder Olsen, again.
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| From 12-2009 |
Then, a few elders were asked to show their special tricks. What is that blurry ball in the middle of the photo? It's someone doing a backflip from a standing position...
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| From 12-2009 |
And here he is, looking as if he hadn't just done something stupendous...Elder Ence!
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| From 12-2009 |
Then, Elder Bullock was asked to show "his stuff" with his little black wheel. You can see it on the floor. So, off came his shoes and socks.
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| From 12-2009 |
And here he gets ready to roll the wheel out in front of him from a standing position.
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| From 12-2009 |
And there he goes, down almost to the floor and back to a standing position.
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| From 12-2009 |
Well, what do you know...he still has the touch...at 73 years young!
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| From 12-2009 |
President Gamiette jumped up and said, "Let me try that!" Well, he almost made it ...until he plopped down on the floor.
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| From 12-2009 |
Sister Mimi wasn't to be outdone. Elder Scott was cheering for her and down she plopped on the floor, also!
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| From 12-2009 |
More songs.
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| From 12-2009 |
More from the wild piano man.
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| From 12-2009 |
Then, Elder McIntosh began the final act...his magic show! He begged Elder Bullock to be his guinea pig. After some hocus pocus with his hands he made lots of stuff disappear and reappear.
He even had Elder Bullock doing the hocus pocusing.
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| From 12-2009 |
Elder McIntosh was so clever with his tricks (and his conversation) that he was able to convince Elder Bullock to let him cut off his tie with the promise that he'd be able to restore it to one piece.
After lots more hocus pocusing, the tie finally was whole, again.
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| From 12-2009 |
And a relieved Elder Bullock took his seat.
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| From 12-2009 |
Do you still believe in Christmas magic?
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| From 12-2009 |
By the look on his face, I'm not so sure if Elder Nielsen does?
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| From 12-2009 |
1 comment:
You left us hanging. I'm so glad to hear about the end of your mission. Let us know if you ever come through Boise. We are in Nampa and would love to see you! We are in a tiny apartment in an old building we own. Come and stay overnight. It will be cozier (read cramped) than in the mission field. Welcome home!
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