Nanjing Thanksgiving

The closest LDS branch to me is about two hours away in Nanjing via train. This ward is the best and I’m so grateful to be apart of it! On November 24, the Nanjing branch put on a American Thanksgiving for its members. There was real turkey, mash potatoes, rolls, and pumpkin pie—seriously heaven in China! This Thanksgiving was just really special, because it felt like home and after being gone for about three months…you kind of miss it. All of us girls left Bengbu early in the morning and traveled to Nanjing where we had the Thanksgiving meal. Since this is a religious event, only people with foreign passports could come—and thus mainly only Americans. After dinner, Kiera, Whitney, and Amanda went back to Bengbu while Shayne, Leah, Alysa, and I went shopping and hung out with ward members. We stayed the night in a hostel, went to church the next morning, and had dinner at a member’s house before heading back to Bengbu.

Talent show and the Branch President Jerry Yu—such a great guy!

Shopping with the girls!

Hanging out with ward members:

The biggest group of Americans I have seen in over three months. I just love these people!

I am so very grateful to be a part of the Nanjing branch here! I haven’t been able to attend church each Sunday, but I have loved every time I do go. The people here are absolutely amazing and so giving! Since most of us are Americans and this is our first time being in China—everyone helps each other out and strengthens one another. Most of the ward members don’t live in Nanjing and therefore have to commune a ways in order to make it to church; the families that do live close by offer up every inch of their homes as a place for other people to stay the night (although my program won’t allow us to stay with members so we always have to pay for hostels). We had dinner at the Streeter’s on Sunday and this couple not only lets people sleep at their home, but also makes American home cooked meals each Sunday for different members. Living in America, that doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but I can’t explain how much it meant and how grateful I was to receive that meal in China. I could go on and on about how great of examples these people are and all that they’ve done, but I think my favorite part of the branch is just the spirit here. I’ve noticed that I always felt worse the weeks that I wasn’t able to make it to church compared to the times that I did. Nothing compares to the feeling of love and home (yes I’m calling that a feeling) that comes with this ward and its members. So grateful to be apart of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!