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