Well I have to say that Christmas day had to be one of the most distracting days of my whole mission. I was thinking about what I would talk to my family about, what they would have to say, did Kamber have her baby? I just couldn't wait!
Christmas
morning we went to the Bishop's house for breakfast and for stockings.
The Pearson family was so nice to think to invite us over. They sure
made sure we were taken care of. We started by reading the Christmas
story of Luke once again, but don't get me wrong it was worth hearing
again. I always seem to learn something new or hear something new. After
some excitement of opening stockings and presents, Sister Brown and I
went to the car for some study time between appointments. We then went
over to the McIntyre family to share some more Christmas traditions.
They gave us both some yummy Lindt chocolate and some very warm
slippers! We also enjoyed a very delicious lunch. Then we had some time
between then and when we were supposed to be at the Jarnagin's house to
skype home. Believe me I was dying from anticipation. We decided to do a
few stop by. We caroled to the few that were actually home. Then skype
time, the time that I had been waiting for all day! The Jarnagins were
very thoughtful and made sure to have everything ready for us to call
our families. (Sorry family, I guess I got a little mixed up on the
timing.)
I
feel like the time to skype was short. I didn't really know what to
talk about or what to ask. It was really just nice to see them all and
hear their voices. My family is pretty random and we came up with enough
things to talk about. But I still came up with things to ask or topics
to talk about after I signed out. The Jarnagins welcomed us into their
Christmas evening dinner, presents and games. It was a very enjoyable
and fulfilling evening. I taught them how to play the whipped topping
game, and got a few videos, but sadly didn't get any pictures.
Remember
Mary? She is the one that started talking to us while we were waiting
for the elevator and then later invited us over to her house when we
told her that we speak Spanish. Well we went over to her house and ...
She is already a member. Apparently it has been a very long time. She
was so sweet and invited us to come back. We tried to stop by on Sunday
with some of the Lopez-Mayta family, but she was feeling under the
weather.
Friday
I was in Billerica Massachusetts on exchanges with Sister Blair. She is
such a sweet missionary and is always finding ways to complement. We
went to a lot of people's house. One of them was Raquel. A recent
convert. She is the mother of three and she is so cute! She told me that
taking care of her children is one of her biggest worries. I didn't
have that long with her, but I had an instant love for her. It is
something that I can't really describe. When we were leaving she asked
how long I was going to be there and if I would ever come back. I hope I
get to see her again some day.
We
had dinner with our ward mission leader on Saturday. I forget sometimes
how awesome people are. His stepchildren, (the daughter was a mini
missionary with Sister Wagner and Sister Garcia in Boston when I was
there) have their own non-profit organization that helps children with
cancer. It sure makes me feel like I should have done more while I was
in high school. But some people are just naturally talented at doing
things like that.
As
for the work with the Spanish group, we are still working on finding
people. We set a goal as a companionship to see all the Spanish members
that we have met so far at least once a week. This week we have plans to
do just that. We have also been going through the list of people that
were taught before by Spanish missionaries. We found a few so far all of
which have invited us to come back. Very welcoming and wanting to
learn.
Carrie
had a family home evening with the Parkers on Monday. We have been
trying to think of how we can help her to understand that we are not
really here to be someone to listen, but that we actually have a
message to share and to give to her that really can bless her life. We
both agreed that we needed her to meet more members. The Parkers are of
course amazing and thought to invite her to share an evening with them.
She loved it! And she ended up staying after for quite some time talking
with Sister Parker. Sister Parker invited her to start taking the
missionary discussions and she said yes! I am convinced that it is the
direct result of the prayers of the members. There are quite a few of
them that are really good at asking about who we are teaching. I always
thought that it was very kind of them to show an interest in the work
that we are doing, but then I read a conference talk Elder S. Gifford
Nielsen, when he mentioned that the members should pray for the
missionaries by name and for their investigators it all clicked. Ever
since then when the members ask us about who we are teaching we write
out a list of people and specific things that they might need that they
can pray for. Carrie was one on the list and now she is going to start
investigating. I know it is because if the prayers of our faithful
members and those of you back home. Thank you!
I love you and hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you the best of 2014!
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