MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

I know it's Christmas and everyone wants to focus their time on their families so I'll try not to write a big letter this week

I am officially in *** with Sister G**. She came out with Sister B** and Sister F**, so around 4ish months ago. She is so full of energy and love. The perfect way to describe her is a never-ending firework! She keeps me on my toes haha! She is from ***. This transfer will be a party.

We had our Christmas Zone Conference this past week. It was so uplifting. The whole day was focused on our Savior and His birth. There were many musical numbers mixed in throughout the day as well. I actually participated in 3 of them. The sisters in my district sang, I played the piano for a couple sets of missionaries, then that morning it was decided that I was accompanying a sister on her flute. 

It's crazy it's Christmas. Last night the primary song about the little kid tucked in bed thinking about the first Christmas night popped into my head and things really sank in. The Savior has been born and He is who we are celebrating. That is so exciting!!! If you're not doing a happy dance right now, you should! Our Savior has come! And He is coming again. Don't you just get butterflies when you think about that? I Do! I love Him and am excited for that day. Who knows when it will come, but right now we can celebrate His birth.

And as you do so, please don't forget Joseph and Mary. They sacrificed so much and had so much faith. 

Thank you to everyone who has sent cards! They make my day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas full of light!!!

Xoxo, Sister G

The week's just mesh...

December 18, 2017

You know you are doing a lot when you have to pull out your planner to remember everything you did that week...

The fires: You probably know more than I do. We've heard that it's the 3rd largest fire in Cali but that was a few days ago so that probably is different now. All the missionaries are ok and transfers are still happening. The air looks like it is clear but it is definitely smokey. Terribly smokey. Sister F** and I have been nauseous multiple times this past week because of it. We haven't walked around for a while as a result. 

This past Tuesday was our RS Christmas party. Sister F** and I had so much fun! We weren't planning on participating in the white elephant gift exchange and the Family Feud game, but they had gotten gifts for us to participate and we ended up being the two in Family Feud who are trying to get 200 points at the end (hopefully that makes sense.) It was fun! And I am still bad at making decisions haha. I have gotten better, though! 

We had a great lesson with A** this past week. Probably the best one we've had! We have learned what helps him pay attention and retain what he is learning. His testimony is growing and you can tell!

I guess you are all wondering about transfer calls.....

Sister F** is staying! I am so excited for her. I am headed down south to be in the ** Ward in **. My companion is Sister G** who was up in the YSA ward in ** last transfer so I've met her. She came out with Sister B** and Sister F**.  Off to a new adventure!

It's been interesting this past transfer. I feel like it was a blessing from Heavenly Father and that it would have been ok for me not to stay a third transfer here. I feel like this transfer was a tender mercy because the whole transfer I have been able to watch everyone connect with Sister F** and her connect with them, which helps me to know that everyone and everything is in good hands as I leave. In all honesty, I've known the whole transfer that I was going to leave, which is also interesting because this is the only transfer where I have known what was going to happen. 

I feel like I have only been called to the best wards. I love them all and I am so grateful to be a part of the *** Ward Family. I have learned so much from all of them and am so grateful for them and the light they all have.

This next week is Christmas. I hope everyone is doing well and that you have a wonderful holiday. Amidst all the presents and food, take time to stop and think of who Christmas is all about. Without Him nothing is possible. Jesus Christ is the true and everlasting gift. 

Merry Christmas!!

Xoxo, Sister G 

Still Kickin' 😀

Wow has this been a week or what!

I'll start with the fires which is probably the one thing you're wondering about. We don't know much because we don't get updates, but there are missionaries who are out of their area and yes, President and Sister Nakken are out as well. Last thing we heard was that they were at the mission office in Oxnard, but I'm sure that's changed by now. As of right now the fire is 50 miles away from where I am. Yesterday was lovely though. We woke up to ash. Ash was falling all day and it literally looked like someone had put a filter on. It was either orange or yellow all day and the sun was bright orange. The best part was that we got to wear lovely masks as well. Hahaha we're starting a new fashion trend.

The two 9 yr olds we are teaching are doing well. They go back and forth on who is progressing more. Teaching kids is so different from teaching adults so I think I am learning more than they are!

I don't know if I mentioned our RS President's friend or not, but we are seeing her on Wednesday! She texted us about a day, which was awesome. She wanted to meet before transfers. Pray for her!!

We also met a sweet and very respectful girl named A**. We knocked on her door because we like the baby avocado tree in her yard. She took us around her house and we were able to pick an avocado! They aren't ripe this time of year, but who would say no to picking an avocado off of a tree!? They aren't my favorite, but my companion LOVES  them Haha! Anyway, A** was super interested in the Book of Mormon. We might be meeting with her today so that's exciting.

Saturday and Sunday there was an awesome community event that our stake hosts that we went to. A bunch of the choirs in the community of all different faiths come together and put on a performance for Christmas. It was awesome especially because a lot of the songs I have sung in the famous 7th Ward Choir! I was silently singing along....in the past though, they have had a display of hundreds of nativities, but they didn't do that this year. It was so fun to be able to come together as children of God though, and celebrate our Savior.

Transfer calls are this week. I'll let you know next week.

I gave a talk in church yesterday about the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. I learned a lot about sacrifice and how what is required of us to be able to obtain that pearl, or eternal life. It is not a set price, but it requires all that we have. Which means we all have a different "price" to pay. No one is exempt from this beautiful and most wonderful gift unless we decide ourselves that we don't want it. The offer is free through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but we have to do our part.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Just remember to keep the Spirit of Christ in Christmas!!

xoxo, Sister G 

[Sent to me (Mom) by a member to prove that she's alive and well despite the fires]

Fresh avocadoes right off of the tree!

Wearing masks because of the smoke from the fires.

Ash

Christmas Came Early!

Hello from the phone!!

Before I begin-- congrats Alex and Caroline for receiving your calls!! I am so excited for you and can't wait for you to experience this!

This week was full of little presents, one of them being the phone. Our zone set them up on Friday at Zone Conference. It was an awesome Zone Conference. We talked about the safeguards we have with our phones to help us be masters over our phones and not become slaves to our phones. They keep us safe from temptation and keep us focused on the Lord's work. I am excited about them because they are teaching us how to correctly use technology and we will be able to use these skills for our benefit and our family's benefit for the rest of our lives.

 

There was also a comment made that I loved. That any blessing we receive is always much greater than whatever it is we sacrificed. I love that and I know that to be true! 

The second present I got--I am no longer in a splint! We went to Solvang this week to see a hand specialist. I don't have to wear the splint because if I kept wearing it, my finger would permanently be stiff. That was great news to me! So I am free to move!

This week we taught a woman who is good friends with a lot of members in the ward. She is a preschool teacher and has always asked the members various questions. Our RS President invited her to come and listen to a practice lesson we were doing. She has a lot of great questions and we feel her heart is open.  We weren't able to set another appointment for a few different reasons. Pray for her!!

We also had our ward Christmas party. It was so awesome. The Spirit of Christ was so strong. It was simple. There were cute and funny parts of the program and also spiritual. The setup was gorgeous as well. I felt at home when our bishop started reading a Christmas story to the Primary kids. I felt like I was getting my Christmas book like we do at home when he started reading about Mr Toomey, the woodcarver who carves a nativity for a widow and her son. I was like "I know this book!!" It was great😊 

Light the World is happening and if you haven't seen the video or been following along, do it!! And invite someone to do it with you!! That's what it's all about. Lighting the World. There was also a comment in Zone Conference: If you are serving someone that's great, but only you are feeling the Spirit of Christ. If you invite them to serve with you, then they can feel that Spirit, too. Hearts are softened when they feel the Savior's Light.

Have a fantastic week! Enjoy the snow while we enjoy the sun!

Xoxo,

Sister G