Our New Zealand Thanksgiving

What a day!

Weeks ago, the Sister missionaries in our area and I had planned to have Thanksgiving today. A few weeks later, they started announcing that our ward Christmas party would also be held today.

Long story short, we ended up cooking our entire Thanksgiving dinner in 2 hours! Yep, 2 hours THANKS to the help of the MacMillians, our amazing neighbors, and because we couldn't find a turkey. (So, we used a precooked ham instead--that's what I'm talking about!)

We had a ton of potatoes and sauteed green beans.

I cooked yams in a skillet. It actually worked surprizingly well. We did Hawaiian themed yams in honor of Elder Manoa. (Yams+butter+brown sugar+coconuts+macadamia nuts = to die for!)

Ryan made his amazing apple pie!

I made stuffing from scratch! (Yep, I dried the bread in that 2 hour period as well!)

The weather was horrible. It was windy and raining. 

We had 23 people coming, so we used our small garage. 

Never had Thanksgiving in the garage before.

The MacMillians provided most of the chairs and tables from their house (2 doors down).

Suzanne did a great job helping set the tables.

Love our luggage background?

This is everyone. Starting with myself on the left and going back, we have Connor Cowan, Luke, Elder Jones, Elder Moore, Elder Manoa, Sister Fitzgibbon, Sister Fisher, Shania MacMillian, Gordon MacMillian, Suzanne, Crystal Cowan, Ryan, Eric, and Tina Cown. 

NOT pictured were Jennifer MacMillian and her son, Nate, and her daughter, Alex. Nate took this picture. 

The Reedys who came for dessert were also not in the picture. 

Ngire, Scott, Sam, Joshua, and Meg.

We were blessed! We had our ENTIRE New Zealand family here!

Elder Jones, Elder Moore and Elder Manoa

Sent this picture to their moms, or mums ;)

Gordon cut the ham for us! 

So grateful for all the little things and BIG THINGS the MacMillians' did to make this a reality for us and the missionaries!

Luke, Elder Jones, Elder Moore, Elder Manoa, Sister Fitzgibbon, Sister Fisher, Shania behind her dad, Gordon

Suzanne and Eric helping set the table some more.

Jennifer and Alex Macmillian

Cream. Real Cream for our pie in dairy country.

Milked from the cow 3 days ago and freshly whipped by Gordon! :)

Sister Fitzgibbon and Sister Fisher brought a pie to add to Ryan's beautiful pie in the back ground.

Suzanne, Eric and Meg

Me and Ngire

The spiritual thought and the God-sent pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin Pie made with imported Libby Pumpkin (no canned pumpkin in New Zealand). God does love me! To understand why this is so profound for me, you must understand that I LOVE pumpkin pie, but it must be homemade and it the pumpkin must be from a can!

(Truth be known, Jennifer MacMillan was saving this pumpkin for Christmas, but felt like Thanksgiving was important enough to us that she made me pumpkin pie. Seriously, these are the moments when I know God lives and He loves me. And so does Jennifer. Thank you, Jen!)

All in all, it was an amazing experience. 

I could have asked for a better Thanksgiving given our location!

The missionaries were so grateful. 

It felt good to spend the day with people who love us and who we love. 

I'm grateful for Thanksgiving!