Happy Thanksgiving - Nov. 25, 2008

Dear Family,

Wow the weeks fly by so fast here. I feel very comfortable and settled in Rajahmundry and I’ve even learned to love the bikes. In the morning and afternoon it’s a bit of a pain cause we’re in the sun but at night it feels so good. I can’t even describe how pretty it is here also. Today I’m working on getting pictures to send home so you can see the rice fields and the pink skies at sunset.

Riding a bike is a blessing. I get a cardio workout, we move between appointments faster and I get to see more of India. While riding one day I felt pretty confident. My companion and I were weaving in and out of traffic and we were coming around a turn. There was an old uncle in front of me so I decided to pass him up around the turn. My cockiness was my downfall, and quite literally too. I went around the corner too fast and I hit a small patch of dirt. My wheels slipped out from under me and down I went. I skidded for about two feet onto the side of the road bruising my hip and cutting up my forearm. Elder Brown rushed over frantically but I was on the ground laughing over my stupid mistake. I took a picture of the cut on my arm (it’s pretty cool looking) and now it stands as a reminder of why I should be careful.

Not only does the cut serve as a reminder but it also acts as an attention grabber. The Indian people are so paranoid over every scratch and every cough. If you have a fever of 1 degree (Fahrenheit) above normal they’ll think you have the plague. But it’s fun to tell people and see their jaws drop.

Other than that the week has been really successful. We had a confirmation on Sunday and a baptism coming. Sister Swapna, the girl with from Hindu background whose husband is a return missionary, was confirmed by Elder Brown and it was really sweet. Every time we see her she is just a lot happier. She smiles a lot more and she seems more confident. Before her baptism she rarely talked but now she is trying so hard to speak up, even with her rudimentary English. Her husband has been a great help.

Also there is Sunder who is getting baptized next Sunday. He is an all-star through and through. His English seems to improve phenomenally and it is because of his desire to learn the Gospel. He’s so proactive also. We were teaching him about tithing and fasting and he said “oh yeah, I know about that. I asked president last Sunday about that one”. Like I said what a stud.

It’s not only Sunder, but so many members in Rajahmundry are so faithful. There is one member from the other branch whose name is Sampath. He befriended Kishore and Laxman who are two of our investigators. He calls us one day and says “Elders, I called Kishore and Laxman, and they want you to visit them tomorrow at 3, can I come with you to that appointment?” How could we refuse such an offer? Last Sunday Kishore and Laxman came to church and they had a great time, mostly because there was a primary program (which was pretty darn cute and adorable if you ask me). Later we talked with Sampath and told him the good news and he said “good, I was afraid they weren’t going to come. They called me this morning and said they weren’t going to come because they had to study and I told them ‘sure no problem, you couldn’t come two weeks ago cause you were sick and you couldn’t come last week because of the rain. No worries brothers, you can keep pushing God off, but don’t expect Him to help when you need Him most’”. Wow. I was in between astonishment and laughter. I don’t know if I could be that bold in front of my friends but Sampath definitely has that faith (and the best part is that he was only baptized two months ago. Makes ya think doesn’t it)

Well this week was exciting but no week would be complete without some crap. We were on our way to this girl’s house, Prasana, and we had to take a dirt back road to get to it. There was one part that had been flooded and in the mud were chickens, pigs and breeding mosquitos. We had to make our way through so we were going on the driest parts. I went on the left side and half way through my front tire sinks into a half a foot of mud. My bike comes to a complete stop and I was just about to tip and fall full into the filth but luckily I got my foot on the ground and it stuck with a splat. If you have seen the Restoration video with the little boy getting stuck in the mud at the beginning, it was kind of like that except this mud was so much stinkier. So I guess every once in a while we’ll get our foot stuck in crap but if we laugh it off and find a spigot than really crap isn’t that much. It was a fun experience overall.

I have to make a shout out to all my friends who have been sending me letters. Sorry to all those who I haven’t been able to respond too. Know that I’m trying to get letters to you and I pray that they reach you safely (cause sometimes that requires some mighty prayers). LeGrand I love your letters so much and it is working perfectly to email me. I just print them off and save them in a special place. Katie and Jocelyn, letters are on the way so don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. And Dano good luck on your mission, I am so happy for you (though your probably already in the MTC so I’m not sure if you’ll get this. And Remington, I heard about your mission call and I’m so excited for you. I’ll try to get a letter over to you before you leave. And everyone else thank you so much for your letters, they always bring me comfort.

So now back to my beloved family. I hope everything is going well back home, especially as you all get together for Thanksgiving. I am so jealous but know that I’m there in Spirit. Today my companion and I are celebrating Festivas. We’re going to fry some chicken, make mash potatoes and have a feast. It won’t be as good as Mom’s cooking but home recipes are never a bad thing.

You are all an inspiration to me. I am so proud to have a family that loves and serves the Lord. I especially love you Mom and Dad. I look at your pictures every day and I reminisce in all times we’ve had together. And Dad I’m am ready to finally learn tennis when I get back so get ready.

Love you all a million “Festivas for the Rest of Us”

Elder Mackay