Beyond the ceremony

At the end of the wheelchair ceremony they had a performing group that were handicapped perform. We found out that they had performed all over the world in many different venues. I found this girl particularly expressive in her movements.

They performed with their wheelchairs and used their chairs not only as a means of movement but as props also. It was very beautiful.

Of course I had to get right in the middle of them after they performed and really enjoyed their spirit and their joy of dance.

This little baby really got to Du and me. She just let us love and kiss her. She would smile and hug back. I got a little teary for a minute thinking of all the hugs back home I was missing, but recovered quickly because I was so grateful for this little girl's love and sweetness.

Maybe she just knew how much we miss all of you....

On Sunday we had one of the most spiritual meetings I have ever been to. There was a man [Roger Andersen], visiting from Alpine, Utah doing business with Turkey Aerospace. He bore his testimony and his eyes were filled with tears as he expressed how amazing the feeling and spirit of Christ that was felt here. He is missing in the picutre as he left right after Sacrament meeting to pick up his boss at the airport, and of course I am taking the picture. I need to learn how to do the timer on my camera. What an amazing day this was. This was our total branch that live close, plus the four missionaries visiting us.

Left: the Nickolaisen's from Istanbul.

Middle: the Holmes from Moscow.

Right: well, you better know who that is. (we have lost a combined weight of 55 pounds. You can see how saggy my clothes are - Yahoo!!! love it)

We had an amazing Turkish meal here before we went to the ceremony. Great food, great company - who could ask for more.