Update 2/14/2010

Happy Valentines Day! We are thinking of family and friends with love on this Valentines Day! Sister Blake wore her red jacket to church especially for the occasion. That's about the only celebrating we did as we were away in the back-country hills for two days. It's hard to make the traditional lemon pie with an electric pot that only boils water! Elder Blake wanted to buy a bouquet of beautiful roses that are so plentiful here but we weren't going to be home to enjoy them. We think we'll have a belated celebration later. We did have good news as electricity has finally come to the new apartments at Precious Blood girls' school. They are preparing apartment #5 for us and let us look inside. The floors are raw cement with no floor coverings. The kitchen has one small open cupboard with no front and a very small kitchen counter with a sink about 14” x 12” x 4”. No stove or fridge but maybe we'll buy a propane hotplate. The tiny bathroom is a shower room with the toilet in the same room (cold water only and a very small sink outside the door, no mirror). However, the view is beautiful! The teachers share a shamba and there are watermelons, maze, squash, and beans growing. One of the couples' flats about a five-hour drive north of Nairobi has an extra bed. We hope to drive up this week to get it. We would like to see north of Nairobi as we always go south!

While at Precious Blood a few weeks ago we could hear children singing at a school across the valley. We walked over before leaving for teaching and listened to the children. It was wonderful. They invited us to say a few words of encouragement to the girls (all girls school – about 500 students from preschool to about 13 or 14). Elder Blake stood on a riser and spoke to them encouraging them to study hard and prepare for life. We took pictures. This week we went back over and gave the principal copies to post. She invited us to visit some classes. As we entered each classroom the students would stand and say, “Good morning, sir” and “Good morning, madam.” What an experience! 

Tuesday we held a leadership training in our Kyambeke Branch. We furnished the light breakfast before. We checked with some branch members and found that what they really enjoy is bread. They don't have ovens to bake their own. We took large loaves of white bread and cut them in slices about 2” thick with peanut butter and jelly mixed to put on top. Sister Blake also baked banana bread not know if they would like it because it is sweet. It was a big hit! Elder Blake was lucky to get some after it was over. To drink we had the African version of Sunny Delight.

Leadership Training –                                          

The conference was nice as we are teaching about having correlation meetings and presidency meetings. They were not having either one. We just have to take things a step at a time to not overwhelm them. They are so willing but it takes several times to get started and see the value of planning/organization meetings.

Mitini Baptism – Saturday we traveled again to help with a baptism for 6 more family members from the Matua area (two sisters and four brothers). What a special day. They were so well prepared and anxious to be baptized. They had to walk about an hour over and an hour home after up and down hills. One of the sisters is the mother of nine children. Her husband had been baptized earlier, and they were so happy that she has learned enough English that now she is ready. The grandfather/patriarch of the clan walks with a cane and he walked all the way there (except for a little ways when we saw him and loaded him in with us as we were driving).We feel the strength of their testimonies. It has been a blessing to us to teach them. They will be strong leaders. Sister Blake was asked, after she arrived, to give the short talk on baptism and confirmation. She's learning to be a “minute-woman” but also learning that she can't do it herself and needs the help of the Spirit. There's a lot of stretching and growing going on here for the missionaries! 

High on the Hill – We spent the night in the hills and drove to our highest on the hill branch, Ilima, this morning. It was a beautiful drive which made the bumpy 4-wheel drive in Lo Range not so bad. Sister Blake would never make it if she had to drive! Elder Blake has good experience from driving on the farm. The road is more like a trail but worth the trip. We were met as usual by a group of children. They all want to carry our things down the hill to the church. We spoke at sacrament meeting, then prepared members of an investigator class for their baptism interview. Sister Blake visited Young Women class. They were proud to show her the mangoes they had bottled Saturday. They looked like peaches in the bottles. After church we held a teacher development class. We were tired and ready to go home and they still had other meetings scheduled! They try to accomplish a lot on Sunday when they can so people don't have to walk so far other days.

Prayers - We love the prayers of the people. They are so sincere and you feel like they are praying with child-like faith to a loving Heavenly Father. They almost always pray for us, especially as we travel. We feel the benefit of their prayers and are humbled by them.

Our prayers always include you, our family and friends. We love and appreciate you. Have a good and safe week.

Update 2.7.2010

Sis. Blake Rebaptized – The week started with a bang as we traveled to our farthest away branch, Kilili. (The picture of the grass huts at the top of our blog was taken on one of our first trips there.) We enjoyed our classes of English, music, investigators, and leadership; then traveled a shortcut through the mountains to Kikoko to spend the night at the girls' school. // On our way we stopped by a small river and dam where early Kilungu Hills church members were baptized before there were any fonts. We walked over to take some pictures of the beautiful green valley and came upon some young boys “skinny dipping.” You should have seen them streak to find their clothes when they saw "mzungus" taking their picture! While Elder Blake was taking in the beauty of the valley, he about got run over by thirsty cows that charged to the stream to drink. // Across the stream we saw women washing their clothes in the river and hanging them on the bushes to dry. Elder Blake suggested that Sister Blake go down and join them so he could take a picture. Sister Blake, in her missionary clothes and slick shoes, stepped on some wet moss and slid right into the muddy stream, and came up just a sputtering. (An unplanned baptism!) Elder Blake, who was a ways away, didn't know whether to laugh, snap a picture, or rush to pull her out. As it turned out, the wash ladies ran and pulled her out and proceeded to wash off her clothes and shoes as she tried to compose herself. Elder Blake was too busy to help as he and the young African boys were laughing and taking pictures!

Rain, Rain, Go Away – Friday we taught at our branch high on the mountain. We love to see the children there as we have mentioned before. They have been a little shy but they got brave enough to let Elder Blake give them a little hug. // There are four young men there (all converts, of course, since the church has been there just a few years) who are preparing to go on missions. They take keyboard and conducting class and help teach English. They also have joined the temple preparation class. We feel their strength. Young men have big responsibilities here and rise to the occasion.

It had rained hard in Nairobi before we left in the morning. Later, as we were getting ready to drive home. Thunder, lightning and rain pelted us, and the clay-base road became slick as pudding. Water was just running from the mountain and down the road. The road was like ice skating. Sis. Blake claims to never have prayed so hard for safety in her life. There are no barricades off the side of the road, it's just straight down. We tried to help another car that had gone off the road. I wish I had a picture of Elder Blake holding an umbrella, standing in deep, red mud, and trying to help hook a tow rope to the car. We finally decided it would never work and offered to take the owner to the next town. He didn't dare leave his car for fear the car would be dismembered and carried away by thieves (common practice for abandoned cars) before he got back to it. We never know what to expect when we leave home.

New Prelude Music – Today we attended church in Mitini Branch. They are a very new branch and are still getting organized and learning how things go. They are growing fast and we are trying to help build the new leaders. It's hard when so many have never experienced what a regular church meeting is like. They are so humble and we love attending there. // Wednesday, after music conducting class Sister Blake forgot and left our CD player there. Since they don't have their own CD player (battery operated, of course), they borrowed ours. As we arrived, we heard prelude music being played for the Sacrament Meeting and soon realized they were playing an old Jim Reeves cassette tape we had left in the CD player – featuring “I Love You Because,” “Have You Ever Been Lonely,” “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” etc. I guess they thought if the missionaries have the music it must be okay! We're not sure that's on the approved prelude list.

The Good Stuff – There is another group of nine investigators from the Mitini Branch who will be interviewed tomorrow for baptism. We mentioned before about the Matua area and the strong family there. Most of these people are from that family. What a blessing it has been to teach them. They have been hungry for the gospel. One young man from that family, James, was baptized a few months ago and is already planning on a mission and studying everything he can get his hands on. It's humbling to see. The baptism will be next Saturday. Fast and testimony meeting in that branch was wonderful today. Most of the young Aaronic Priesthood young men bore their testimonies. Also, just as a note... the young family that asked Sister Blake to help name their baby is naming her Anna, in honor of “Carol Ann.” It's a special honor.

Sister Francis with Sister Blake and Baby Anna

Elder Blake is busy helping with audits for all the branches and we are working hard on leadership training. Right now that is almost more important than working with investigators. Branches need to be divided, so new leaders are urgently needed. They are eager to learn, but just need to be trained (and retrained) since they are all new to priesthood procedures, church operation, etc.

We love you all. Thanks for your love, letters, and prayers.

Update 2/1/2010

Missionaries Preparing: There are several young men in our branches preparing for missions. It's exciting to see how spiritually prepared they are and excited to go serve the Lord. The problem is financial preparedness. In the outlying areas the Church has been helping the missionaries for almost the total cost but they are trying to get the families to start planning early as we have had to in our families. There is so much cost involved just to get ready to go – passports, physicals, dental work, clothing and supplies, etc. Again, we are impressed about the importance of those of us in more developed countries contributing to humanitarian, mission, and PEF. We are trying to teach self reliance here but it is difficult when there is no income for some – just subsistence farming!

Good Week: We have enjoyed teaching this week and love the association with the wonderful people. We are learning many lessons! We are trying to do more training of the branch saints to do their own teaching which is a step beyond doing the teaching ourselves. It doesn't work in all cases, but again, we are trying to teach self reliance. They won't always have couple missionaries to help. I had a special invitation this week as one of the young fathers in our Temple Preparation class spoke to me after class. His wife hasn't been there for the last two weeks. They simply do not talk here about maternity things, such as when a woman is due to have a baby; but he said he had a message from his wife and she would like me to name their baby. In their culture they have a Kikamba name and then a Christian name which the wife chooses. It is an honor to be asked to name a baby and I felt that special honor. (I just don't know what name to choose!)

Wedding Anniversary: Saturday was our wedding anniversary and we celebrated Friday by leaving at 5:30 a.m. and going with another couple to Nairobi National Park for a game drive (self-guided safari in our own vehicle). It was a beautiful day with the weather just right. We saw dozens of giant water buffalo (Vicious! And Elder Blake kept getting out of the truck for pictures!), all different kinds of antelope and gazelles, beautiful birds, giraffes, and the crowning sighting, a cheetah. We had stopped at a memorial for the ivory burning (The government is trying to stop elephant poaching which is done for the ivory, so they have a memorial for the burning of all illegal ivory they had collected.) Elder Blake was taking a picture and I saw a large cat-type animal run between two trees. We jumped in the truck and headed that direction just in time to see it bound across the road. As we approached we could see it hiding under some trees. When it saw us watching, it took off. It was huge and beautiful. A sighting is very rare. Of course we couldn't get a picture except in our minds. It made our day.

Sunday at Kilili: We attended church at our farthest away branch, Kilili. As we were sitting in sacrament meeting I looked out the door at the chickens and goats looking in at us and realized that it didn't even seem unique to me. Until then I hadn't noticed the music from the canteena across the street and hadn't even thought about using the pit toilets. I guess we're becoming “Africanized!” The branch choir sang and we were signaled to come up and join them. When I taught the primary leaders about presidency meetings the president said, “We'll do that. We didn't know about it before, but now we'll do it” - and they do! Don't we wish everyone was so willing? We took pictures of the Young Women who have written their testimonies to share with our home ward, and of the Young Men who sit on the steps and teach each other the priesthood lesson each week. We feel greatly blessed to have these wonderful experiences.

Have a wonderful week. We love you.

Update 1/25/2010

New Experience: On Tuesday we visited our farthest away branch, Kilili, for classes in English, keyboard and investigators. It was an enjoyable day starting very early with travel from Nairobi. Keyboarding has been bogging down a little so we planned a church music program where all students would perform 2 hymns plus we would learn a new hymn to sing at the program. We set a date the end of March after sacrament meeting. I suggested just family be invited but the class chose to invite the whole branch! We'll see how it goes.

Pictured above: YM in Kilili Branch holding Sunday School class.

After classes we were to pick up some mangoes from Pres. Makiti's home to transport back to Nairobi for a young man there to sell to help pay for his PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) loan. When we went to the president's home women were working there to get the bean seeds out of the shells as he sells them for seeds. Everything is done by hand, even picking up every little seed after they are separated by hand. Then the sorting is done by hand. Sister Blake participated with the sisters and we all enjoyed a good laugh!

Some days are harder than others: We are struggling with teaching English to some who have no English experience. Elder Blake calls them ZEE's (Zero English Experience). One problem is preparing African members to understand how to be the teachers. Another is: Where do you start with so many at different levels? Especially when the same 10-25 people don't show up consistently from one week to the next?? Other classes are going well with a very special group of investigators who are getting close to baptism. They speak enough English to understand and ask good questions. Sister Blake and three young branch missionaries are working together and we almost hate the classes to be over!

Three more days in the hills: Friday we taught in Ilima (highest on the mountain). We are met when they hear our truck approaching by 20-30 little children (when they are out of school) who live near the church. They see and hear us making our way up the mountain in low-range 4-wheel drive for about 20 minutes before we arrive; there are no other vehicles that drive up there. We try not to give treats or we almost get attacked, but this time we couldn't help it. They have so little and sat down and ate the cookies right there. We will pay for it in weeks to come by being mobbed by them and dozens more like them as we arrive but it was worth it.

Pictured above: Children waiting for the truck at the Ilima Branch

We had to hurry after class to go to a baptism in Kyambeke Branch. The Branch President called and asked us to see things went well. He was on the way in a matatu (taxi van) to take his brother to the hospital as he had been in an accident that morning in another matatu that had swerved to miss a person in the road and had rolled down the mountain! We saw the accident as we drove by earlier. The baptism went well, though on “African time” as two of the girls who were baptized didn't arrive until 45 minutes after the baptism was scheduled. Elder Blake just started his talk over and we went on. There was a good spirit there and they will be good members. We pray the members will help them feel part of the branch and that they will continue to grow.

We left the baptism to go with Pres. Kaseve from Mitini to visit a new area, Matua, where there are many joining the church and attending Mitini Branch. They are all from one large family. (All but one person in the investigator class belong to this family.) We thought we were just going to see the area but found that the people had all gathered and the women were waiting for us for a relief society meeting and the men were waiting at another home where Elder Blake was announced as the speaker! (We're getting used to this type of surprises... (sort of!) In the R.S.meeting they said something in Kikamba, and the sisters started each giving a few shillings of money to the RS president while someone recorded who contributed. I asked the sister next to me what the money was for and she said it was “fast offerings.” They have so little but they pulled coins from here and there. At the end of the evening they gave the collection to the young mother with a new baby who lived there. (Interesting use of fast offerings but appreciated.) She brought the baby out and gave her to me to hold and you know how much I loved that! They then gave us a tour of the area where all the families lived and Elder Blake took pictures of the families. It's a whole little community belonging to this family and they have joined the Church. They have to walk 40 minutes across a valley and up a mountain each time they go to meeting! It was nearing dark when we finished the very full day. Two young men rode back to Kikoko with us to make sure we didn't get lost (which we appreciated). We were exhausted and almost on overload with all that we had experienced.

Pictured above: New members from Matua

Another Water Turnover: The Church turned over another water bore hole in our Kilili area. The celebration wasn't quite as large, but the branch choir sang (which included Elder and Sister Blake). They requested that I wear my bright flowered dress so I could “fit in.” The people are so appreciative of the water. As they said “Water is life.” We understand more now.

We spent two nights in a row at Precious Blood so we didn't have to drive back to Nairobi before speaking in sacrament meeting in the hills on Sunday where those who were baptized were confirmed. We were happy to arrive home safely Sunday evening for a hot shower and good bed! Our bath in Kikoko was standing in a dishpan size tub of hot soapy water (heated in our cooking pot) and scrubbing and then stepping into another tub of rinse water and using a cup to pour over and rinse the soap off. It was quite an experience but better than we thought it would be! At least there was water.

Our love to you all. Have a good and safe week.

Update 1/16/2010

“...Sleep tight, Don' let the bedbugs bite.” This little phrase we have said to our children over the years has a whole new meaning to us now! Elder Blake's legs look like a hoard of hungry mosquitoes had a feast. We didn't know what was wrong until someone mentioned bedbugs and in looking on the Internet the welts looked just like his legs. We think they were in the old mattress under the foam pad at Precious Blood. He tried sleeping on that to see if it worked better and they must have been hiding out waiting for him! They must not like me (and I'm grateful). We are now prepared with a chemical spray given to missionaries. We are to spray everything and then let it dry three hours. We will use it Tuesday when we go again. Watch out bedbugs!(You don't want to see pictures of this!)

“You're going to buy what on that street corner?!” Elder Blake's mission suit is ready for retirement. This is its third mission (given to him by Brother Bergeson's wife when he passed away after their mission to South America) and the fabric is going the way of all old cloth. He didn't think he'd use it much here and he enjoyed the light, cool fabric. I gave him a certificate for Christmas for a new one. On the way home last week we saw a man, along side of the road, with suits laid out on the ground – pants on one side and coats on the other. We pulled off the road (the best we could) and Elder Blake went to investigate while I waited in the truck and prayed no one would run into us! They measured his legs, waist, etc., tried on several coats, chose a likely one, and then began to dicker on price. We had heard that “Mzungus” (white people) are charged way more than native people, but Elder Blake can bargain with the best of them. The result is a nice new suit (at a good price) which Sister Blake took in and up, gave a good press job, and is ready for church tomorrow. “Merry Christmas” Elder Blake. (We wish we had pictures of this event!)

Best part of the week. Wednesday we had one of the most rewarding, spiritual days of teaching on our mission. Elder Blake has been training members to teach each other English (to learners on different speaking levels). Wednesday the new teachers were with their groups separated into three competency levels in different corners of the room and having a wonderful time teaching while Elder Blake enjoyed watching them. Sister Blake taught investigators and showed them the Restoration DVD. The spirit was so strong that they didn't want to leave when the class was over. // As we were ending, another man came. Elder Blake met him a week ago as he was trying to get his daughter enrolled in Precious Blood school. He'd invited him to the branch and he had shown up. I had to go teach a music class but the YSA branch missionaries whom we have been training taught the investigator class again to this man and the rest of the class stayed to hear it again! It was a perfect experience to show them what the spirit feels like.

Watching over us. On our way home we stopped down the road a little ways to get organized and get out our lunch (it was time by 3:00!). As we were just getting started again our phone rang. It was the branch president. Someone had called him to tell him we were stopped on the road and he wanted to know if we were okay. They take such good care of us. (We must seem awfully old to them :) ) We feel blessed.

Pictured above - some of the beautiful flowers of Kenya: Top picture is from our Nairobi apartment window across the housing complex; Next two pictures are at Precious Blood. Next picture Mitini baptism. Next, Sister Blake by Precious Blood Apartment Bldg., Last picture, Curtains in our room of same fabric as Elder Blake's new African shirt!

Another blessing. Our son, Scott, had emergency back surgery this week and is healing well (although not as fast as he would like). They were blessed as the neurosurgeons they needed were available and they were able to perform the surgery that very day. Our prayers are that he will continue to get better. How we love all of our family and keep them always in our prayers.

We wish family and friends a good week!

Update 1/8/2010

Challenges and Blessings: The clutch on our truck went out. (Not good!) The blessing was that it happened while we were in town and not in the mountains somewhere! They let us use a little gray one but we're glad our white one with the cattle guard is now repaired.

The Girls Came Back: Holiday is over and the 420 girls at Precious Blood School started to return last Tuesday. Some couldn't get back on time because of a matatu (small bus) strike. We were concerned that we wouldn't be able to stay when they returned, but Sister Mary Joyce made us feel welcome, at least for now. She's hoping the electricity will come soon to the new apartments where she has indicated we can rent a flat when they are ready. (We don't know when that will be! “African time” can be very long.)

Pictured above: Precious Blood Catholic Girls' school where we stayed right on campus until the dorms were completed.

Temple Preparation Class: We started this class in the first branch this week. If things go well we hope to take a group to the Johannesburg temple the end of June. We told them we had been sealed in the temple 46 years ago this month! That was unbelievable to them. (We can hardly believe it's been that long ourselves.) The flight to Johannesburg is four hours from here. The church “First Time Temple Attenders” fund helps pay for the trip when they cannot afford it and the nearest temple is so far away. We would pay our own way to accompany them.

Investigator Class: We're starting new classes and had two mothers, each with five children, in our class in one branch and three adult brothers and their sister-in-law in another branch. There was a special spirit in these meetings. They spoke minimal English but we seemed to be able to communicate with the help of young single adults members in both branches. They enjoyed the story of Christ's visit to the Nephites and His blessing of the children, read first in the picture storybook and then in the scriptures. . The brothers and sister-in-law live in a valley where people from a small church there are joining the church in groups. It reminds us of experiences in early church history when whole congregations were prepared and just waiting to hear the gospel.

I practice my Kikumba on them by telling them “weka nessa” (well done) or asking them their name “wetta-whatta.” They laugh at my funny accent but it breaks the ice and we have a good time.

English Class: Elder Blake makes teaching English fun for the teachers and students. They practice alphabet sounds, words, and actions such as: stand up, sit down, turn around, and walk, etc. He works with them to use their diaphragm to talk louder as their culture is to speak softly. We can hear them hollering in the other classroom and having a good time. This is so important as they cannot be baptized without English here.

Keyboards Arrived: There is excitement in the branches as we are beginning to distribute the 10 new keyboards. In the new branch we are still teaching music conducting in preparation for keyboarding. We have a good time as we clap and count and try to teach correct rhythm. It's hard work (harder for some than for others!) but we tell them to practice and it will be worth it. The Harmon grant that provides keyboards generously is wonderful.

Pictured above: Music conducting class in Mitini Branch; Below, Keyboard class in Kyambeke Branch

We get tired, but we love this wonderful missionary work and are being blessed in so many ways. Best wishes to all of you and know we are thinking of you.

Update 1/2/2010

Christmas and New Years week . . . where has everyone gone?? Streets and roads not crowded; people more laid-back – always a cheerful greeting of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year!” Majority of people have “gone up-country,” which means out to their native villages for the holidays.

Last Sunday we attended Kyambeke Branch. The Young Women wrote their testimonies to send to our home ward and we took pictures of them and their leaders outside the church to send home with the testimonies. What a fun experience. It was also the last Sunday at church for Claire, our good friend who has helped us so much with our teaching here. She bore her testimony and said good-by to the branch. She is the first missionary in her family and the first young woman missionary from the branch and will be going to Uganda. Her feelings were tender. There are nine children in her family.

Tuesday night we stayed at Precious Blood (for the last time before the 420 girls return to school!), and then drove to Mitini Wednesday for a big ceremony. / LDS Charities does so much for the people here and they had completed a water project for the community which purifies the water and pumps it clear up a hill to be available for people to use right at the village crossroad. The whole village came to celebrate including the tribal chief and government dignitaries (in their Kenyan military uniforms) from all over. And do they know how to celebrate! They had set up shade awnings and used the Mitini Branch chairs. The program was two pages long and lasted from 9:30 a.m. (which included a walk down the hill and back to see the actual water site) and ended at 2:00 before starting the lunch! There was music and native dancing from the Tribe and local churches. Mitini Branch choir sang a spirited “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel.”

The villagers are so appreciative for the water. We see women carrying large barrels of water on their backs - so heavy they are bent way forward, their chins about the height of their knees, up hills and long distances. We'll never take water for granted again. When Elder Esplin (LDS Charities Missionaries) spoke he explained to the people that the money used to provide the water didn't come from rich people, but from many people all over the church who gave small amounts because they want to help. The Humanitarian Fund of the church is blessing the lives of many people all over the world. When we put the money in the contribution envelope we see here that it is being used wisely and helping where it really is needed!

Pictured above: Water supply shed and below dancers performing for the ceremony turning the water over to the village.

After the ceremony we took Claire (young sister who had been helping orient us and serve as interpreter also) back to Nairobi to be set apart by President Taylor for her mission. It was tender time for her as she left her family and friends. We took pictures and there were a few tears shed. She and friend Michael - a convert of 14 months, age 24 - have been teaching all the investigators in two of the branches for the past year+, which accounts for most of the baptisms. Michael is expecting his mission call any day now. They both will be sorely missed by the branch presidents and new members. // We made it back to Nairobi in time for her interview and Elder Blake assisted as she was set apart. She will be a wonderful missionary but there are great changes ahead for her; from living in a small village with no electricity or running water and never being out of the country to flying in an airplane to South Africa and three weeks in the MTC. She stayed with us for the night and was so nervous she didn't sleep. We took her to the airport Thursday at 5:00 a.m.

Pictures above: Elder Blake with Michael, Clair, and Sister Blake; Below Young Women and sisters from Kyambeke Branch where Clair and Michael were members.

Thursday was New Years Eve and we had a progressive dinner and games with the couples. It was fun but being "very old" as we are, we celebrated an hour or so before midnight! New Years Day we visited a giraffe center and a crocodile farm just outside of Nairobi. They said that giraffe saliva is sterile, so a kiss would be okay; but hugging and feeding by hand was plenty for me!

"Happy Birthday" to Devan on Sunday and a "Happy New Year" wish to family and friends. We love and appreciate you all.