I have a rare moment at dad’s laptop, so I want
to talk to you. I really miss my computer. Of course, I miss all of
you also, but having the luxury of using a normal-sized keyboard would be
great. Also, I miss having unlimited internet. We have to turn it
on and off when we want to use it, so it won’t cost us so much. We cannot
have unlimited internet in the apartment until we get our Temporary
Resident Permits which are about six weeks away. We’ve gone
through all the processes and filled out all the paper work and paid all the
money. We had to be interviewed, submit receipts, forms, photos,
passports, etc.
I have a Christmas
request…. Are you still reading??? Don’t skip to the bottom yet….
We cannot receive Christmas packages from you. I know you’d love to send
us some home-made cookies or rice krispy squares, but they’d never make it
through customs, let alone to our door-step. That, by the way, is where
mail is left outside our apartment.
About Christmas.
We don’t anticipate anything concerning it this year, except what we have in
our own hearts. The country just celebrated the biggest Muslin holiday of
the year. It was a 4-day holiday and is celebrated by sacrificing sheep
and giving parts of it to the poor. The big stores are closed for 4
days. But the public transportation runs, and is ½ price. So, a
usual bus/metro ticket is about $.75 and is good for 90 minutes of
travelling. So you can switch on and off. But for the holiday
tickets were ½ price. So for $.36 we could go anywhere. We caught a
ferry, caught another ferry, transferred to a bus for $.36 We crossed the
Aegean to another town across the way. When we returned home we paid
another $.36 each. That is a lot cheaper than owning a car, paying
insurance, buying gas, etc. And you rarely wait more than a very few
minutes for a pick-up. And if you are elderly, people stand for you. I'm
not saying I am elderly but......
We enjoyed visiting with the BYU Jerusalem group
in Gumuldur. It is a town that is about an hour away from Ephesus.
Since it was during the holiday season, they couldn’t book anything
closer. So, Dad and I took public transportation to meet them and stayed
one night in their hotel. The transportation cost us about $2.00.
We knew all of the faculty who were with the students. We had a great
dinner with them. One of the students said she was from Lehi and knew Tanner.
They come to Turkey because they can no longer travel to Egypt.
Last night Dad asked me
what he should talk about if the speaker didn’t show up in church. The
speaker didn't show up. I said “The First Vision”. Just after the
opening prayer an investigator came in…. a man about 35, I’d guess. So we
had the sacrament (which we always bring) and dad gave a talk/lesson on the
First Vision. It was perfect. We also had it translated as dad
spoke.
There are times when I wonder what we are doing
here. But I firmly believe that being here is important. It is
great for me to have a companion who can give a lesson/talk on almost any
subject. I do the music…. If you want to call it that. I photocopy
hymns in Turkish and English. And I find them on my I-phone and play them
when we sing. We all sound awful. I’m about the only female voice
that can be heard, and that is just barely. In the past, a Sr
Couple from Istanbul came and had church once a month. But now that we
are holding it weekly, it should allow for some permanency. We don’t meet
for much more than an hour though. And we stay and visit for at least ½
hour after that. I’ve also been providing refreshments. Today I
brought Turkish delight, something like corn curls, and sliced apples.
The hotel provides water. Since I’m the only provider of food, it has to
be basic, and I don’t have an oven to bake anything in anyway.
So far, the weather has
stayed warm, but not too hot anymore. I bought a bunch of warm clothes,
but I still have a little sweat on my brow. We’ve opened the windows more
often, and been rewarded by some fresh mosquito bites.
Tomorrow is the
beginning of school in Turkey. It has been a long summer. I don’t
know how long they go in the spring, perhaps through June. Dad has
registered for a formal Turkish class that is 4 hours a day. I think it
will be good for him. I was also invited, but I know it would be a waste
of time. I know my liabilities and can’t memorize anymore.
BTW…. I’m looking for a
hair place. There are salons all over, but I don’t know whom to trust my
head to. I see some very unusual hair colors. Most Turks have long
beautiful hair. Short hair is not common. But I can see lots of
grey now, and I need to find a way to renew it. I brought some spray
stuff for roots, but there is too much to cover. Waxing is also very
popular here but I think I'll forego the pleasure.
As you know Dad’s
birthday is coming up. I may try to buy a shirt for him. A
long-sleeved T-shirt for warmth in case we ever need anything for warmth .
Well, I love you ALL and
hope you are doing well in your busy lives… Thank you for your emails!
Love,
Mother
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