Monday, November 17, 2014

Dear Family,
  
We got up this morning and watched a beautiful, emotional Hallmark Christmas movie, Christmas in Canaan.

At our ward missionary meeting, before church, we learned one of our missionaries is being transferred.  Adrienne and I got teary and when he saw us getting teary then he got emotional.  We  have become very close to Elder Rice.  The first night we stayed in our flat, nearly 4 months ago, he and Elder Hollits came to welcome us.  It helped make our first night better.

Then we went to choir practice, before sacrament meeting, and started preparing for the Christmas program.  We had a difficult time singing beautiful Christmas carols and got teary again.
Christmas songs always make us emotional and the choir was singing them so beautifully.

Next, was sacrament meeting.  A returned missionary, Harrison Simon, spoke using an American accent.  We understood everything he said.  He served in the Salt Lake City East mission.  He spent time serving at the University of Utah and now says he is a Utah Man.  He also served in Kamas.  He was made the district leader in Kamas to 6 sisters serving in Park City and said the seventh was his companion.  He talked about the atonement and because of that he grew to love the sisters and his companion.  He learned a lot with that calling.
         He said,. " my mission was not the two best years of my life
                          my mission was the best two years FOR my life."
Thought that was a great quote.

Our next meeting was the missionary prep class.  We had two NEW members and 2 investigators. One investigator, Danielle, is getting baptized in 2 weeks.  She is so ready and understands the gospel.  She met the missionaries one month ago.  She has been going to a Christian church so she knows there is a God.  We will be able to go to her baptism which is exciting for us.

One of the new members was baptized 10 weeks ago and we were able to go to that.  Hopefully the other investigator will be baptized and we can go to his baptism.  The gospel would really be good for him.  He has so many struggles.  Our lesson was on God the Father.  It too got very emotional.

In other words it has been an emotional day.  The spirit was sooooo strong.  Once again the Holy Ghost testified to us of our Father and Jesus Christ!!!!!!!

We are home from church, via a drive through some new neighborhoods looking at houses.

We are having salmon, wild rice and veggies for dinner.  While eating will be watching the 2nd part of Christmas in Canaan.

Thursday night we visited our lady friend, Ella.  She is the concentration camp survivor.  Her dementia is getting worse but we will still visit.  One of the ladies we visit, who invited us back, isn't answering her phone.  I have left so many messages.  I feel so bad.  I will try again this week and pray and hope.  I know all you former missionaries can relate.

We learned to play farkle at our FHE last Monday.  We, older missionaries, played it slowly and I finally understood the game.  Playing it with our adult children is harder because you play so quickly.

We had three weddings at the temple last Wednesday.  We walked over to see the brides in their dresses.  It was such fun and they all looked beautiful.  A friend of ours is getting married on Friday.  We are so excited to see her dress.  Her groom was born in Antofagasta , Chile (where Tony served his mission.)  His family now live in Australia, but grandparents are still in Chile. I will be meeting his father next Sunday.  They left Antofagasta in 1993-5 or abouts.

Adrienne just read Helaman 5 and says it is marvelous and all of you should read it.  

    "Strength is not something you have, it is something God helps you find."    Emma Smith

 Love to you all,


The Sister Sisters,  The two moms, The two grandmas

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