New Mexico Packs Blog Post 7
Happy New Year!!
Probably our most significant activity is with refugees from Afghanistan. Several hundred refugees are expected in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces over the next several weeks. The Church is joining other faiths in providing food, clothing, shelter, and job opportunities for these Afghan brothers and sisters and their families. We are in the thick of it along with JustServe, the Church's website for announcing service opportunities. Many abound right now and the response has been terrific.
JustServe.org is very well organized and connected in New Mexico. The people involved are so dedicated and enthusiastic about what they are doing, a pleasure to work with. JustServe.org is all over the United States. You go to JustServe.org, enter your Zip Code and up pops many ways to serve.
Another activity we never knew much about is the Church's humanitarian effort. Here in Albuquerque, the Church provides food, clothing, furniture, and other necessities to many local organizations who help those in need. Humanitarian projects happen all over the country, and worldwide.
We grow a little each day, gaining experience, meeting new people, learning a little at a time. We find wonderful people of all faiths working to help people. For all the ills in the world today, there are so many out doing good, helping their fellowman. It's exhilarating to see.
We celebrated Shelley's birthday in December with a visit to Albuquerque's River of Lights, a long walk-through light display of animals and other objects. It's really spectacular. It starts just after Thanksgiving and runs until New Year's Day.
River of Lights
The full-time young missionaries are not left out of Christmas celebrations! About 100 missionaries gathered at one of the Church buildings two days before Christmas for games and food! The scene below is everyone in a huge circle playing games. They had the largest "white elephant" game we've ever seen!
Mission Christmas party, December 23, 2021
On Christmas Eve morning Shelley and I got up for an early morning walk and were greeted with this eerie sunrise scene. The photo, as always, doesn't come close to capturing the beauty.
Sunrise over Albuquerque, December 24, 2021
A couple of nights before Christmas we were shopping at a grocery store, just minding our own business. A family walked up to us recognizing our missionary name badges. They were so nice, and then invited us over for breakfast on Christmas morning. What fun it was! Was this just a coincidence? Well, they say a coincidence is a small miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous. That's what happened to us!
In our little apartment on Christmas morning, December 25, 2021, headed for breakfast!
The day after Christmas, Sunday, December 26, we decided to drive to Santa Fe for church. After sitting down in the chapel we noticed some people a few rows in front of us who looked familiar from the back. After the meeting was over we recognized friends from our home ward in Arvada. They were in Santa Fe visiting relatives for Christmas. We had a stirring visit! Another one of those fun coincidences!