It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

One of our holiday traditions is to put up the tree just after Thanksgiving. Today seemed like a good day to keep that tradition. After our standard Saturday morning routine of Institute, calls home, and grocery shopping, we pulled down the box with the little Christmas tree we "inherited" from a previous missionary couple and all the trimmings to go with it. It took about 15 minutes to set up and decorate the tree. There was still tinsel garland left over, so we added it to some decorative bell ornaments that were too large for the tree and created a simple wreath for the door. We purchased a hand made paper quilled nativity from one of our friends who is earning money for a mission. He was part of a team that created the Cambodian Paper Quilled Nativity nativities that are now on sale at Deseret Book.

This afternoon Elder Oveson had leadership meeting for Stake Conference. Sister Oveson hired a Tuk Tuk to go to the evening adult meeting.  It is always good to gather with the Saints for these meetings. Having been in Cambodia for 21 months we have gotten to know so many of the members in the Phnom Penh South Stake. The people will be what we miss the most as we complete our mission and return home.

After the meetings we stopped at Mama's New York Deli for dinner. Mama has become a great friend, and she will be missed. She was very sad when we told her that we will be leaving in January. She remembers what our favorite menu items are and adds extra sauces that she knows we enjoy. When talking to her recently we figure she is in her 80's. She survived the Pol Pot genocide, moved to the U.S., raised her family, and was a restauranteur in New York. After her husband passed away she decided to return to Cambodia to live.