Our friends

We had some good friends over for a 'prenatal' class.

 Emmanuel & Jonathan

 Jonas, Asha & Jonathan; Vivian, Teresa & Emmanuel

Next, just for fun, I added a peek at the local "real Indian" wrapping paper that I used on some of our Christmas gifts home to the children.

 I love it!  It's so fun!

YSA Dinner & 'Crackers'

There were 15 Young Single Adults who came over for dinner and to set off some "crackers" in celebration of Diwali.  The entire country of India loves their fireworks on Diwali, so we enjoy the opportunity to join in.

Before the majority of the YSA's arrived we set off a few things to entertain Jonathan, Jonas & Asha's  2 year old son.

 The boys with their toys; Jonas on the computer and Elder Wigg & Brother Uday sorting the 'crackers'.

 Jonathan is such a cutie.

 Asha helped with the clean up of the preparation dishes.

 Uday, Asha & Elder Wigg with some sparklers.

 Just light it and run.

One is in slippers, the other in socks.  What do people have against shoes?

 We moved the event inside to eat dinner.  The girls sat on the stairs.

 Terence, Rohith, Zach, Elder Wigg & Asha lining up to eat.

 We had Ghee Rice, Paneer Butter Chicken & veggies and Chicken Tikka, plus salad, Raita and Rotis.
Jennifer helped with a couple dishes. I'm definitely improving in my Indian cooking.  It was all good.
But I had a request for North American food next time so we'll see.

 After dinner we had to get the group photo before the rest of the fireworks.

back l to r: Arvind, ?, ?, Bhuvanesh, Terence, Richard, Rohith
middle: Jake, Zach, Uday, Jonas, Asha with Jonathan, Elder Wigg, Sister Wigg
front: Mercy, Gracy, Camy, Jasmin, Jennifer

The adults fired off the rest of the fire crackers and I cleaned up and got the dessert ready.
They all came up to wash their hands and have brownies.  It was a fun evening.

Church in Chennai and after

When we were in Chennai, we looked at lots of apartments.  We needed an apartment for the new Senior couple that are coming next month.

We found an apartment, so that was good.

We also attended Church in Chennai 1st and 3rd Branches.

 Members arriving for meetings at the Church in Chennai.

 These young men and young women are part of 'Pathway', a foundation for less fortunate kids.

 Grandma and granddaughter

 Elder Higgins & Elder Lara.  Something was pretty funny, I'd guess.

 Meeting and greeting outside the chapel.

 Sister Rosalind is one of the first members in Chennai.

 This is Brother Joshua who was one of the first men to be baptized in Chennai.

 Here are the 2 newest ordained Elders in the Chennai 3rd Branch.

 Vetrivel is the only Indian I've ever seen that doesn't have black eyes.  

What color are they?  Carmel? Hazel? Green?  Not sure.

 Vetri has submitted his papers for his mission and is awaiting his call.

 Sweet little baby in the foyer after Church.

 Joe and his dad are posing in front of the building where the Missionary Training Center used to be in Chennai.

 The door handle into the old MTC.

 Joe's dad and Elder Wigg are enjoying a moment, it seems.

 We love seeing the beach and the Bay of Bengal.

 Gowda, our driver, Joe, our friend and guide in Chennai, and Elder Wigg.

 Headed home we saw this truck of oxen and cows.  It's so funny!

Recent Bits 'n Pieces

Here are a few photos that I've taken lately of recent events.

These Elders were in town for Zone Leader Council and we got together at a local restaurant for some Indian food at Indian Barbecue.

Elder Lara & Elder Dass are serving in Chennai.  Elder Racharla & Elder Ram are serving in Coimbatore right now.

 The Assistants: Elder Vinck & Elder Srigiri.  We call them 'the long and the short of it'.

Notice Elder Srigiri is standing on his tippi-toes! It's okay, Elder, you're just the right size for you!

We went Christmas shopping at Orion Mall, supposedly the largest mall in India.

 It was beautiful and we had a good time.

 Next we went to Phoenix Mall and saw some live entertainment warming up.

 The evening was perfect and the sky a rosy color as the sun set.

We ate dinner at 'Chili's' in the mall, which was fun.

Short Hair!

 I went to a hair salon called 'Bounce'.  

The fellow that cut my hair was named 'Prakash' from Sri Lanka.  He was very good.

 Prakash is a stylist and did a great job on my hair.  He has a diploma and has been cutting hair for 9 years. He thinned it, as well as cut it, so that was one difference. It is my best cut since coming to India.

Sister Cook visits Chennai

Sister Cook, a councillor in the General Young Women of the Church, visited Chennai on her whirlwind tour of India.

 Elder S. Kumar, Vetrivel, Elder Bown

 Sister Cook, interacting with the Saints

 They held a focus group first which allowed the Chennai leadership to ask questions.

 Sister Jebamani & Sister Cook

 The Chennai District Presidency

 President & Sister Funk, the Chennai District Presidency, Brother & Sister Cook, President Watson

 The sun is going down on a beautiful Chennai day!

 Elder Britton & Elder Badireddy

 Elder Lara & Elder Dass

 Sister Gupta & Sister Bathula

 Elder Stoll & Elder Pydimalla

 Elder Pydimalla & Elder Wigg, goofing around.

 Elder Prakash, Elder Stoll, Elder Pydimalla, Elder Higgins

 Elder Kant & Elder D. Kumar

The Library workers

 Our friend Joe

 There were discussions during the fireside.

 This little girl wanted her picture taken.

 President Watson gets to participate by answering a question.

 Sister Jebamani

 President Funk is answering a particular question.

 Sister Jebamani

 Sister Cook is explaining the changes in the Young Women's program.

 Elder Prakash with an investigator

 Sister Cook, after the fireside, visiting with the Young Women.

 Here is Elder S. Kumar and Elder Bown introducing their investigator to Sister Cook.

 Elder Bown, taking notes

 This is Lokesh Bala on the far right, one of our future missionaries.

This is my favourite shot of Sister Cook with the Young Women.

It was a great Fireside and Sister Cook was amazing.  This is all happening on 2 hours of sleep and dealing with 12 hour jet lag!