Family,
It was SO nice to talk to you on Christmas day! 40 minutes really does go by so fast. I felt like I hadn't even talked to you for a minute. (I guess that means when I get home in November I'm going to have a lot of talking to catch up on).
My week has been really good. I guess I'm actually emailing for 2 weeks, but I'll just tell you what I remember of the past 2 weeks. So. Christmas. It was really good! We were so blessed because we were able to be with some really good members Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Christmas eve we were with the Daleys, a family from America. They are so cool. They have 4 kids (the cutest kids ever). Tender mercy: they have pretty much the exact same :Christmas Eve traditions as we do, including dinner, opening up pajamas and watching the animated Christmas story video. When we woke up Christmas morning that consensus was between the 2 of us that is didn't really feel like Christmas. On christmas day we spent time with 3 wonderful families that took us into their homes and pretty much helped us feel like we were family. It was great! and then... I GOT TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACES!! I'm glad that everyone is doing well. It was so fun to talk to you all. I also was blessed with some really sweet emails from friends and family that emailed me which I got to read today. Its like Christmas all over again!!!
As for the missionary work the past couple of weeks, we had an epic week 2 weeks ago and found new people to teach and were able to meet them several times. This past week the work slowed down a little bit because of Christmas and Christmas eve. But don't worry, it'll pick back up. New years is a great time to share the gospel while everyone is trying to be better. I'm excited to see the miracles start rolling in.
During my personal studies this week I read the Christmas story (classic) and I studied a lot in Preach My Gospel. I've also started reading Acts because its all about missionary work. It has been really good. I love filling spiritual hunger being satisfied as I study and learn more of the doctrines of the gospel and how to be a missionary. During combined Priesthood/ Relief Society meeting on Sunday the Bishop taught about hastening the work about the 4 areas that members of the church can help in the great work of salvation. I thought is was so cool. This work of salvation is a team effort between members and missionaries. I honestly believe there is no limit to what we can accomplish in finding, teaching, baptizing, activation and retention as the members and missionaries truly team up and work together in this work of Salvation.
These are two quotes I really liked from General Conference (I've been slowly reading through the talks again) :
"It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best when we are on the Lord’s errand." -M. Russell Ballard
"The most important part of your service will be your own daily
spiritual preparation, including prayer, scripture study, and obedience
to the commandments. We encourage you to dedicate yourself to living the
gospel with greater purpose than ever before." I love this quote from the first presidency. It is really cool and I feel like it really applies to me as a missionary who is teaching all the time. It also applies to anyone who is teaching.
Walking to the library.... its been like this a few days this week.
Pouring rain with hurricane force winds. I have a pretty good coat
though, it keeps me fairly dry :) Also, in that pic you can see my new
boots.... got them for 17 pounds, over 50 percent off!!! (That's about 30 American dollars)
District picture on Christmas Day! After our caroling service.
Its a tradition around here to have Christmas crackers (google it)
basically you and one other person pull the cracker apart and whoever is
holding the biggest part gets a joke, a tiny trinket and a crown. Its a
tradition!!! This picture was from a DA last sunday. Best food ever,
including homemade cheescake. I'm pretty sure I wobbled around for the next couple of hours.
I wore the pajamas you got me on Christmas eve ;)
Love you all! And Happy New Years :)
Sister Roscher
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