Dear Family and Friends;
We are looking out of our apartment window at the remnants of subtropical storm Olga, she dumped probably 5-10 inches of rain on Santo Domingo in the last 24 hours. We figured out that that would be the equivalent of about 50-100 inches of snow! Wow, we're glad it doesn't get cold here! We have our tree up (see picture) and we've enjoyed the beginnings of Christmas with the First Presidency's Devotional and our last Family Home Evening with our senior missionary colleagues (Gloria shared a story of a Christmas many years ago where a very kind, and unknown to her, man shared the Christmas spirit with her by loaning her his truck in the middle of the night allowing her to finish delivering newspapers, and then returned her disabled car the next night! We all enjoyed the warmth and love of the story.) I sang "O Holy Night" and others contributed their music , stories or experiences. It was a lovely night together. I think all of us were thinking about our families at the same time.
We have had a wonderful year in the Caribbean. Gloria teaches her English class: English mingled with the Gospel and has had some special missionary experiences. The class loves her and she loves them. She prepares not only her lessons, but also some special treats. Thanksgiving dinner with all of the trimmings was a special night. She is teaching twice a week in December on "The Life of Christ" and will conclude with the Nativity Play on the 20th. She has all of the costumes, scripts for everyone, and will bake sugar cookies for all to decorate and eat or take home after the Play. The class appreciates all she does for them.
We have enjoyed the protection of our Heavenly Father in all of our travels all over the Caribbean again this year. We have seen miracles among the missionaries in their health, in their teaching and among our senior missionary friends. We have appreciated all of the prayers and help that you have extended to us in the course of the year; we feel of your support though you are a long way away. Thanks to all for your love and concern.
We have loved having our children come to visit and take time away from their busy lives to be with us here. Those have been highlights of our year. We've welcomed two new grandsons, born in this year to Jeanel and Bruce, and to Page and Rick. And we are so pleased with Elder Casey Greer, our oldest grandson, who is serving his mission in the Oklahoma Tulsa Spanish Mission.
We have had our marriage blessed with much (24/7) togetherness and have learned many valuable and eternal lessons about ourselves. It has been a year of growth and development.
While we are working on our Spanish (mui dificile!), serving in the temple and doing our teaching and doctoring, we are also contemplating our return to "civilian life" coming up very rapidly in April, that hardly seems possible.
For us, our time has flown by, we've learned more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our commitments and our future. We've learned what is important in life and we've been blessed to share some of that. We hope to learn more as we go forward.
We hope and pray that you will enjoy the blessing of health and hope and happiness in the New Year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!
Love Sister and Elder Otto
