Whirlwind December

This month has really flown by. The ward here is really big on activities, so it was a jam-packed month. Relief Society Party, Caroling at the big Grocery store in town one morning, Victorian Christmas Caroling at Gadfield Elm, Zone Conference (for which I made a nice Christmas dinner for all the elders and sisters. Also made stockings for all of them. What fun to see them react. They are so appreciative of everything we do, which makes it so much fun. Mission Christmas Party on Christmas Eve in Birmingham. So great to be with all 136 missionaries at once and see their spirit. President and Sister Ogden went to a lot of work for this event. It was a major feat getting all of the missionaries there all at once--some in cars, some on trains, and scheduling them with cancellations because of bad weather, and then getting them all back home by 9:00 p.m. they had a fabulous dinner of roast pork and turkey and the trimmings. And then we had a talent show that lasted about 3 1/2 hours. Some great talent in our mission --in some cases lack of it and just pure fun!! We then had a carol service which was awesome.

Elder Henry and I also helped with a live nativity that the ward had in the town center. All set with a live donkey and 5 of the cutest goats you ever saw. What a hoot! Mannaquins for Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. It was the coldest, wettest day so far, and Elder Henry ended up with a bad cold and then had to share it with me. It was to raise charity for the Mayor's charity funds and was quite successful. The Mayor is an inactive member of the church also.

We spent Christmas day with the Bishop and his family of 10 kids. They are a wonderful family. Ann Cheshire (the sister who has just started back to church) also went with us for the day. She is a really special lady. She made us a BIG Christmas fruitcake that was delicious.

We did our traditional christmas activity of making plates of goodies and taking them around to friends. I think we made about 25 plates and took them to members in the ward. We also made a Christmas card that we gave to all the members in the ward, with a special Christmas message. It was a lot of work, but a wonderful way to visit with people in the ward.

We are looking forward to a busy new year. We are having members sign up for us to have Family Home Evening with their families and we will also be starting a weekly Study Group. Probably will study Church History. That has been the request by those we have talked to about it. We are looking forward to that very much.

We continue to visit several people every day and hopefully help them have a desire to come back to church. Even if they don't, or won't come to church, they are all so welcoming and want us to keep coming to visit. Maybe something will eventually rub off. We hope and pray that we can say or do something that will touch their hearts in the right way. We know the Lord has sent us here for a purpose and that he prepares those who are ready for the gospel. We love the Lord and are so grateful to be here serving Him. We pray you will all feel His love as we do and that you all have a wonderful NEW YEAR.