Over the River: Thanksgiving report & the glad message of the Gospel

It’s transfer week, but I won't find out until later tonight (Monday night – 12/1) if I'm staying or going. Guess you won't know until next week! Bummer. I have mixed feelings. I want to stay because I want to see where Marcellus and the James family step into the waters of baptism, and we just met a couple whose husband isn't interested because he's some bad experiences with churches in general, but he's super into gaming and I think we could bond and melt his heart over that. Sister Randall and I are getting along better too, so I know staying won't hurt as much as it would have if I was still where I was a couple of weeks ago. But I know the next great adventure is in another area and I'm excited to go someplace new. I don't even know if I need to pack or not!

Sadly, Marcellus was not baptized this last weekend, but we'll be re-inviting him shortly, and hopefully he'll be baptized before the end of the year! Long story short, he wasn't totally sure that this was what he wanted (he loved his old congregation and hadn't felt that same love here), so we postponed. This Sunday I think was awesome for him though because he sat more towards the front, so more people saw him and fellowshipped him. Third hour was also combined, so even the Gospel Doctrine class (adult general Sunday School class) got to see him too (since we normally go to the Gospel Principles class – class for newer members and investigators to learn the basics).

We're of course excited for the James family- they had a really positive experience at both the Nauvoo Thanksgiving Dinner two weekends ago, and at church this last weekend. Sally, the mom, is super excited because we believe a lot of things she already believed and we answered a lot of questions she had, but no one could answer. Yay for the fullness of the gospel! Her husband is a little more standoffish, but he started reading the Book of Mormon the minute we handed it to him and asked questions all along the way. So I figure he's just being stubborn and it’s a matter of time, because his wife is all over it. He appreciates that we keep deferring to him on prayer because he's the head of the household.

We're still trying to work with a couple of the people I talked about in previous letters, but if it’s not a priority in your life, you're not going to make time for it in your day. It sucks to see so many excuses when you know the message you share will change their lives forever.

I'm learning how to be people's friend so I can share said life altering message. My door approach and my ability to just talk about stuff is improving, but I'm not very good at small talk. The holidays make it a little easier.

We went to the dollar store the other day, and I ended up coming home with several sheets of stickers. You know, for important things. I have many owl stickers now, among other things.

I need to get some pictures of the few things I picked up at good will a few weeks back. One of my finds was a skirt that had a pattern on it that looks very much like a yukata (cotton summer kimono); it doesn’t go with much, but I loved it all the same. I would love to find a yukata like it when I go home. I miss wearing odd things like kimono and costumes and such.

The Thanksgiving box did come! Thank you! It came the day after, but that’s okay. I love the shirt (from our trip to Knotts Scary Farm), and wear it to bed now. It’s super soft.

I'm excited to be allowed to Skype home on Christmas, so I hope Skype is up and running on one of the computers at home. :) (that is all set up!!)

It’s hard to explain some of the spiritual growth because I couldn't really tell you a lot of new things I've learned. It’s just deeper understanding. Things like faith that have no explanation but have strong roots into your soul. I hate not being able to quantify it, but I am somewhat pacified by knowing it is getting better, somehow.

Attached is my district photo, some pictures of cold and snow and critters at a potential's house, and me and the Bishop's family (the Bishop is the leader of the congregation, much like a Pastor or Rabbi – in the LDS faith, they are laymen, he is unpaid… he has a fulltime job somewhere else. He leads the congregation because he was called by the regional leadership – this is not his career). They're soooo awesome. I want a family like that. Their two little boys are overwhelmingly cute.

Well, a family photo will no doubt happen eventually. It’s unavoidable. Hopefully in costume! (we’ve had trouble getting our annual Olde Tyme Christmas family photo this year)

Sewing sewing sewing. I miss having access to a sewing machine- hand sewing is such a pain in the butt! (I’m glad she is self-sufficient enough to do that, even if it is inconvenient)

The strawberries and avocados are lacking here. Avocados are available here, but they’re nothing like the ones back home. I think that’s something else I need to have when I go back. Just a whole avocado to myself.

Thanksgiving was awesome! We ended up having a lunch with one family, pie with another, dinner with another, and then pie again with yet another! We were soooo stuffed. Of course we thanked everyone profusely. We did come home with large containers with food- which is good, because we have few dinner appointments this coming week. Weird.

The weather was great this weekend- up in the 50s... And today it’s in the teens again, but it doesn't feel quite that bad to me this time around. I guess I'm getting used to it. I'm wearing a lighter jacket and thinner layers today and I'm fine outside. No doubt I'm being helped by all the prayers for me, because I doubt I would be so warm on my own. (Excellent!)

I don't know if I want to stay or not. I'd like to go on to the next adventure, but so much is going on right now here and I hate to leave the work here. We have 4 people on their way to baptism, and a couple of new people besides.

Anyhow, the church is true. The Atonement is for every day.

Christine