WEEK 31: Christmas Day





We finally got to speak to Tanner today.  It was 9 pm his time because he had been busy all day and all the night before.

After discovering many families could not afford to do much for Christmas if anything he asked us if he could use some extra money to make a special dinner for about 4 families and get them all gifts.  He said he wants to pay us back when he gets home because he wants it to be a sacrifice from him.  (Sounds like he also got gifts for the elders in his apartment which he said they loved.)

Then he explained his plan and asked the counselor if he could use the chapel today.  The counselor somehow misunderstood and invited the whole ward to Tanners dinner!  Needless to say Tanner was stressed!  He worried about having enough food but he said he had extra.  He said the numbers didn't make sense that it would be enough but it did.  He served 50 people today!

His menu:  fried chicken (YES, you read that correctly....he who refused to eat chicken let alone touch one pre-mission served fried chicken!) and mashed potatoes and gravy.  He had two members and a couple of missionaries helping him.  He was up until 3 am working on the potatoes.  He opened his Christmas gift from us as he waited on potatoes.  His favorite gift was the family calendar :)

Then he had to get back up at 5 am this morning.  He and the members started cooking the chicken at 9 am and it took until 5 pm to get everything cooked and set up.  The gifts he gave out included bread and candy, Milo (like hot chocolate powder), juice etc.  

They had a devotional and he gave a talk but not sure what else they did for this part.  Then they cleaned up and they took a "yellow yellow" back to his apartment with the extra food.  Then he got cake and ice cream (a luxury)  and they went to the member's house that helped him so much.  He said it was so good!

He was pretty tired but he was very happy.  He said they were all very grateful so it was worth it.  The members we met said they love Tanner and want to keep him (or I think that is what they said).

He sounds SO different!  Tyson said he sounds like the Nigerian missionaries he knew.  It was pretty crazy!  I'm going to try and attach a video clip Tyson captured so you can hear a bit.

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