I must be livin' right!

Don't ask me how, or why...but the stars must be aligned because I was able to access my blog, view your blogs, and make a new entry! Ahhh, the wonders of the internet!

All is well in Addis. We have been busy with a visit from President and Sister Christensen for a zone conference in Ethiopia. Those are always very wonderful meetings where all the missionaries gather for a day of uplifting talks and messages. We were able to visit two of the branches here, and meet many of the wonderful members and investigators in Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit, a town 1 hour south of Addis.

We have water, power, food, and great missionaries to associate with...life is pretty good!

We think of you all often, and hope you are all well and starting out with a wonderful March!

Coming back to Kampala...

We had a quick trip down to Kampala, Uganda this long weekend, and I thought I'd take advantage of internet measured in megabytes (as opposed to the 40 kilobytes we get in Addis) to make a post on the familiar old blog....

Before we were transferred to Ethiopia, we had been assigned to organize the Uganda Returned Missionary Reunion for January 2009 - thus, the trip back to Uganda to put on our "event specialist" hats this weekend.

What fun to see a room full of over 100 people who served as missionaries over many parts of Africa and England since the early 1990s....real pioneers! Now, our work here is done, and we return to Addis tomorrow, where we will continue posting our latest goings on at the address:

http://www.missionsite.net/elderandsisterwilkes

so, look for us there!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on November 25th, and enjoyed 3 weeks there before picking up David at the Bole International Airport in Addis, and returning (with him) to Uganda for the Christmas holiday.

It has been wonderful to visit friends from the Makindye branch, and introduce them to David. We have also been able to participate in some mission functions, as well as spend time with the great missionary couples that we have missed!

We cannot access blog sites in Ethiopia, so I am taking this opportunity to update my blog, while in Kampala. After that, I will use a website provided by a missionary company:

http://www.missionsite.net/elderandsisterwilkes

I'll give this a try for now and see how it works.

I'll keep you posted. Until then, Ciao! (That's the greeting often used in Ethiopia...the Italians were there long enough to leave their mark!)

Good-bye Marvelous Makindye

Our last Sunday in Makindye Branch. We have known for 7 weeks that the sad day would come that we had to leave this wonderful branch where we have spent the last 7 months. This was the day. Now, we prepare to leave for Ethiopia.

Here are some pictures of the wonderful people who have shared our lives. They have truly left handprints on our hearts...and we have been changed for the better.

Two dedicated presidents...Felistus is the Primary president, and Jane is the Relief Society president. I admire each of them for the wonderful work they do.

Arthur Murray School in Makindye!

Here's my own little Arthur Murray...sharing his knowledge of the art of dance.

The Young Single Adults had an evening dedicated towards learning the Waltz. Amongst a chorus of 1,2,3....1,2,3, young men and young women guided their partners around the asphalt, and had a great time. All they need is a formal ball!

Secret Santa!

Brad is holding the amazing secret santa gift from the members of Granite Bay First Ward!

They held a service Saturday in September and, among other activities to benefit others, they assembled Christmas presents to be sent to Uganda. Thank you GB First Ward, thank you USPS, and thank you Uganda mail service!!! Someone's going to be happier for Christmas because of you!

Halloween In Uganda!

Mom and Dad sent us the most AWESOME package...Halloween masks (creepy), Halloween plate, Halloween lights, Pez, TUMS, and candy corn, and (my personal favorite) two pounds of our favorite See's candy...California Brittle, Scotchmallows, and Chocolate-covered almonds.

We took the loot and scared and then shared with the young single adults for Family Home Evening. First, we had to explain the meaning of Halloween, and then we passed around the candy corn...(no, we're not that charitable...we kept the See's at home!)