Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! I hope you all had a lovely holiday season. Ours was filled with service, study, and joy. Christmas morning, we were able to call home and video our families. I got to open presents with Mom and Dad, then Luke and Leah woke up took me down stares to find their hidden Christmas book, which was so fun. They found them right away and are the proud new owners of Fancy Nancy and The Fat Cat on the Mat. I am so excited for them to read them to me one day! After that, we met with our district and made snow flakes to put on friend's doors as a little surprise, then we met with all the missionaries in the stake or the surrounding area, which was about 20 or so other missionaries, and we had a wonderful devotional about the different names of Christ and what they mean to us. I'd have to say my favorite name He has is Brother. In the evening, we were able to get onto a Zoom call with the entire mission and do fun games, activities, and give testimonies. It was so joy filled and focused on Christ. We wrote and delivered about 30 Christmas cards to friends in the area and members in the ward who have been so kind to us. We are so blessed and spoiled here.
For New years eve, we worked until nine, then opened a sparking cider, drank a glass, then we went to bed around 9:30 or 10:00. I know I know, we are some real party animals over here, haha.
Last Monday, we got a text from the mission nurse. Apparently, an Elder in our district that we had met with on Christmas had Covid. We had all social distanced and been careful with masks, but just to be safe we were put under quarantine. We had to go get the Covid test to be sure we hadn't gotten it, but the other Sisters had the car and we couldn't switch because of the whole no contact thing. So, bright and early at 6:40 we headed out and took an hour walk to their apartment. The path took us through a lovely park. The sun was rising, and the air was crisp with fallen snow. No one else was on the trail, and it was so very peaceful and enjoyable. We were able to get the car, go to the testing sight, get the swab, and drove back to the other Sister's house since they needed the car later that day. We took the walk back and enjoyed our time outside in the fresh air. The test results came out a day later, and we tested negative! We were freed! The first thing we did as newly freed missionaries was take a car ride with the other Sisters to our favorite Soda Bar drive through and order some fun drinks! Best way to celebrate freedom, I think, haha.
Other then that things are pretty quiet right now. We are working hard and seeing miracles every day. As a mission, we have been doing a wonderful study. We have been reading through the Book of Mormon and highlighting four different things with four different colors; every-time Christ is named, the Characters of Christ, doctrine and principles, and every-time Christ speaks Himself or through his Prophets, such as when it says "thus saith the Lord". Now my Book of Mormon has a highlight on every page, often multiple highlights. I have loved doing this study, because I feel like I have drawn closer to my Savior and recognize His presence even more, both in scripture and in my own life. His influence is everywhere, and I am honored to be able to share His love and words with those that I meet everyday!
I am so excited to be serving at such a time as this!!!
