Afterward, we heart attacked a few doors then headed to dinner. It was at a very kind non member's house and I had one of the fanciest Christmas Eve dinners. Everyone there was very friendly to us and asked us many questions about ourselves. After dinner we played a few songs on the piano, to the wife's delight, and we were given a tour of the house. At the end of the night, before leaving, she gave us each three Christmas gifts, a small bag of makeup, a journal, and a beautiful wooden ornament. Returning home, we were filled with gratitude, love, and a belly full of delicious food.
Christmas morning we woke up, opened gifts from family, and had Christmas breakfast. We had chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, bacon, fried potato cubes, eggnog, and orange julius. My Christmas present to my companions this year is that I did most of the cooking. I love serving and cooking, so it worked out well for me!
After breakfast, we met up with our zone and went on a special trip to the giving machine in the city! Its outside our mission, but our mission president gave us special permission to go! It was so fun. I had the opportunity to donate two bus passes and two dinners at the women's shelter.
After, we returned to the church building and had a gingerbread contest. While cleaning up, one of the sinks in the kitchen began leaking and spilled onto the floor. As we opened the cupboard under the sink, the smell of rotten milk came pouring out with the water. It looked like someone long ago hadn't realized the pipes were loose and leaking and had dumped dairy product down the sink. An Elder came over, tightened the pipe, and we got to work. Living in a big family I'm more used to strange smells then my companions. I mopped the floor, under and around the sink, then used paper towels to wipe up the excess where the mop couldn't reach. I then cleaned the sink, around the sink, and mopped the floor again with clean water. As I did, I was filled with excitement and gratitude. The Lord had given me an opportunity to serve him on Christmas day by cleaning his house on earth!
Later that night we were able to go and eat dinner with the bishop's family. For the first time I can remember, I had fondue. It was delicious! We kept so busy and we were spoiled so much on Christmas Eve and Christmas that there was no time or place to feel homesick. I have found that I do not need to feel homesick while on my mission, because I am surrounded by love and the light of Christ. This church is a home to me, meaning no matter where I go or who I meet, I am home.
The day after Christmas, it snowed SOOO much. Because of the snow, we had the opportunity to scrape cars and shovel snow. It was so fun. After that, we braved the roads to go to an assisted living facility. We played games and spoke with the residents and we had so much fun. On the way back to the apartments, we were slipping and sliding on the roads. After that we decided to stay in. Back at home safely, we made cards for people and sent encouraging texts and emails to the people we have been teaching while listening to music and, most importantly, stayed warm and safe.
The next day while heading to a missionary meeting, my head started hurting. While there it got worse and worse, and my stomach began acting up. On the way back I started having hot and cold flashes. I ached and hurt and felt miserable. When we got back to the apartment. I collapsed into my bed and slept. When I woke up I was amazed to find myself completely healthy. No lingering sickness, no headache, no even yucky feeling. This experience kind of solidified the belief that as I am here in a mission doing all that I can for the Lord, He will provide all for me. No matter how bad it may seem to me at the time, He is there watching over me and blessing me for my service. I am so grateful to be out here serving him!
