Oliver in Brazil: November 2024

November in Brazil!

Elder Nielson is moving right along. 

The best news of the month was last Thursday when I woke up to an 

email with information about Ollie's flight home itinerary!

He leaves February 11th and will be home in the morning of 

February 12th.  Yay!!!!!!

Admittedly, Elder Nielson is feeling a little trunky.

He's excited to come home, sleep in a comfy bed with clean new sheets,

throw away his old, worn-out suits, and ride his motorcycle.

But he's staying strong and focused.

In addition to talking to him every Monday evening, he also got

to call on Thanksgiving and Christian's birthday.  

Earlier this month, he met up with Jane's Mission Leader, 

Sister Barcellos who was visiting in her native Brazil.

She took him to lunch, and they spent some time together.

How wonderful was that!!

Baptisms:

Brazil:

Food:

(His bread...yikes!)

Companions:

74 more days to go!

46 Years Alive!

 

Today, we celebrate the hero of our family, my sweetheart, 

Christian's on his 46th birthday!
Lucky for me, I've been with him for 24 of those years!

Sadly, it happens when you get older; you get things you need instead

of fun things you want for birthdays (and Christmas).

This year, we gave him new boots, coveralls, 

and socks to replace his worn-out gear.

But I did give him some new cologne.

I guess that was fun.

Gigs and Christian played a mad game of chess.

Gigs won and after said, 

"I wish I would have let Dad win on his birthday."

He requested we get lunch and then go on a family hike.

It was a beautiful- but super cold!!

We came home, ate Thanksgiving leftovers, and watched two movies

back to back.

I love Christian more than I could ever express in a blog post.

He is my everything.

Happy Thanksgiving 2024

 Thanksgiving at Stillestead was one for the memory books!

Per Nielson Thanksgiving tradition, around noon, 

I served our Thanksgiving "turkey" 

(sourdough bread shaped like a turkey)

with dried fruit, nuts, jams, and an assortment 

of cheeses for our pre-dinner meal.

I baked all day while setting up the table and, of course, listening to

Christmas music.  Is there anything better?

Gigs helped me make the rolls.  I make the dough, and he makes 

them into shapes.  They always end up looking like poop emojis,

but they are our favorite rolls (Thank you, Lindsay).

I told the Nies, mainly Gigs, when they asked what to wear to dinner,

that they should dress according to what they believe the dinner is worth.

 Christian said he would wear his tux,

 while Gigs told me he'd wear his suit.

Awwww. 

 I told them to just look nice, which means,

NO t-shirts and sweats.  Duh.

Dinner:

Roasted Pears with Brussels Sprouts & Arugula

Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallow & Pecan topping

Veggie Stuffing

Grandma's Fruit Salad

Lindsay's Rolls 

Pies:

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Chocolate Mud Pie

with clove spiced wassail

Then we talked to Jane and Ollie.

Next year, we hope they'll be sitting around the table with us

as we talk to Gigs, who will be somewhere in the world

on his mission.

I am so thankful for my children, my husband, my cozy home, my body,

my family, my life, and, of course, my Savior,

who makes everything right and good.

Happy Thanksgiving, Stillestead!