Christmas presents

My companion and I are doing well. We expect to get separated this transfer though, which is stressful for her, since that means a new companion right before Christmas. She's very attached to me….being her first companion.

A bit of rain and some wind that just cuts you to the bone, but no snow. It doesn't look like it will be a white Christmas this year, and honestly I'm okay with that. Snow is so over rated.

The box did arrive! (mom sent Christmas presents, a paper tree with paper ornaments, a roll of tape to hang them, candy, and an advent calendar with scriptures and corresponding refrigerator magnets) Sister Marsh opened her two presents (what?!?)  and promptly fell in love (both knitted by mom). She's worn her booties every day (fluffy on the inside slippers), and put on the cowl long enough to figure out it was warmer than necessary for our jaunt into the 60s this last week. It should get back down into the 30s next week so she'll be wearing it then. We enjoyed the colorful hot chocolate as well (multi-colored marshmallows).

Last Monday (P-day!) we made skirts at a member's house. Sister Marsh got an almost full circle skirt out of the fabric she picked out, and she's very in love with it. I didn't get mine anywhere near done because we spent the whole time on hers, since long story short she doesn't know how to sew. (sigh) So if I get moved, I hope I can find another member's house that has the tools and the time to let me mess with their machine.

We got to go to the Nauvoo Temple this week (kind of a last hurrah since we expect to be separated this transfer), and it was really nice. The family that took us let us linger in Nauvoo a little while too, so we got to see several of the sites. I really enjoy that, and the missionaries down there are always so excited to see other missionaries. Too bad we didn't have an investigator with us. They always love that. We also took our Christmas photos down there, so I'll be sending a Christmas card soon.

We also met a Jehovahs Witness that only spoke Swahili from Africa. Needless to say, there was a language barrier, but it was kind of fun to figure out her religion. (who knew that Iowa was so international?!)

We also sang in the choir for the Christmas sacrament this last week. I'm still super lost as to how to successfully be a tenor by myself, but luckily I usually stand next to a fairly strong one, so I can just harmonize with her (yay singing men's parts).

Love you! I look forward to pictures! (of family, of Christmas, and of some crafting creations made)

Love, Christine