Hey everyone,
I can't believe how fast time is going. It has been a crazy week. woof. I'm super exhausted. But I'm happy that i'm still alive and going. I've really come to appreciate faith. I have felt as Moses did and realized that man really is nothing. This is 100% God's work. I've also felt like Joseph Smith this week, that I am a rough stone rolling. It's a bumpy ride but with each hit I'm becoming smoother and smoother. More shiny and polished and one day I'll be pretty darn great. So I just keep bumping a long. It's actually pretty great once I understood what was happening haha. So that is sort of my outlook on life.
Monday: A Christmas Thief! We were running around like crazy (per usual on a p-day) and as we were headed out the door we noticed Sister Fenn had some packages come. (she already got 2 that morning) but we didn't have time to go up all the steps and back to the apartment so we just left them. When we came back, two of her packages were missing!!! Someone had stolen them! So we got ready to leave again (to spend the night in Houlton so we could drive Tuesday morning to Moncton) and I told her we should check in the dumpsters in the back before we left. We went downstairs in the back and lo and behold! Her packages were in the dumpsters. Emptied of all candy but there was a stocking with her name on it and a snowflake ornament from one, and two Christmas pillowcases from the other that was left behind. It was a beautiful Christmas blessing. And what a story too! We've learned to take the packages up as soon as we see them!
Tuesday: We spent the night with Sister Pierce and Sister Leak in Houlton. Then we drove up to Moncton for none other than the Christmas Zone Conference! How exciting! We watched "Meet the Mormons" saw some crazy talents (one elder can throat whistle...) and had a fun white elephant gift exchange! I ended up with some chocolate candy ornaments. which are now hanging on our tree. I also got to see two of my old companions which was so fun! (Sister Coleman and Sister Burton)
Wednesday: We did some service for one of the less active members, mopping her floors. She has so many animals! a lizard, a bird, two cats, two dogs, and fish! oh, and don't forget the turtles either! So it was definitely good that we could help clean!
Thursday: Volunteering at the animal shelter has never been more fun! There were four adorable puppies in there that we got to play with, and some crazy kittens as well! my arms are covered with cat scratches and puppy kisses. (the puppy kisses definitely helped) We had a great lesson with a fairly new investigator. We were able to teach the restoration and we could feel the Spirit! It was a great lesson.
Friday: What a day. My 10 month mark! So our car got damaged ever so slightly. It's about a two inch gash on the front. We somehow met with the trailer hitch on a truck. I thought she rolled back into us, she said we rolled into her. Either way, it was a minor thing, no one's hurt and I'm trying to forget it ever happened. My first accident, ever. And definitely my last!
Saturday: We had a fun Christmas Brunch with the ward! then afterwards the YSA made ginger bread houses. my house was by far the best ;).But really we all had a great time, some people including our adult leader started throwing candy at everyone, but my house escaped unscathed. We finally got some knocking in this week and had a great time! I never thought I would miss it. But I did. The crazy experience for us was when Sister Fenn (despite my opposition) knocked on a house that was part of the lawn of this old church. To my surprise we were greeted warmly and invited in for Christmas dinner with some guests this couple had over. It turned out they were a Pentecostal couple and very friendly! We had a delicious meal and made some new friends.
Sunday: We sang in the ward choir! It was a lot of fun. We also had our apartment inspections (we passed) and then we drove out to Wade to have a lovely dinner with some of the members. We helped to hang bells on a Christmas tree, and talked about interesting things. Before we got to the Gospel, the Sister informed us all about Coy-Wolves. apparently the coyotes and wolves up here are getting too friendly. So that was pretty interesting. I thought dad would appreciate that.
We ended the week with a visit to a less active member and we watched "Finding Faith in Christ". I just love the spirit in that film. It helped me remember what Christmas is all about. Our Lord and Redeemer.
Love you all! I am staying in Presque Isle for another transfer! I would love to get christmas cards! <3
Sister Smith
I can't believe how fast time is going. It has been a crazy week. woof. I'm super exhausted. But I'm happy that i'm still alive and going. I've really come to appreciate faith. I have felt as Moses did and realized that man really is nothing. This is 100% God's work. I've also felt like Joseph Smith this week, that I am a rough stone rolling. It's a bumpy ride but with each hit I'm becoming smoother and smoother. More shiny and polished and one day I'll be pretty darn great. So I just keep bumping a long. It's actually pretty great once I understood what was happening haha. So that is sort of my outlook on life.
Monday: A Christmas Thief! We were running around like crazy (per usual on a p-day) and as we were headed out the door we noticed Sister Fenn had some packages come. (she already got 2 that morning) but we didn't have time to go up all the steps and back to the apartment so we just left them. When we came back, two of her packages were missing!!! Someone had stolen them! So we got ready to leave again (to spend the night in Houlton so we could drive Tuesday morning to Moncton) and I told her we should check in the dumpsters in the back before we left. We went downstairs in the back and lo and behold! Her packages were in the dumpsters. Emptied of all candy but there was a stocking with her name on it and a snowflake ornament from one, and two Christmas pillowcases from the other that was left behind. It was a beautiful Christmas blessing. And what a story too! We've learned to take the packages up as soon as we see them!
Tuesday: We spent the night with Sister Pierce and Sister Leak in Houlton. Then we drove up to Moncton for none other than the Christmas Zone Conference! How exciting! We watched "Meet the Mormons" saw some crazy talents (one elder can throat whistle...) and had a fun white elephant gift exchange! I ended up with some chocolate candy ornaments. which are now hanging on our tree. I also got to see two of my old companions which was so fun! (Sister Coleman and Sister Burton)
Wednesday: We did some service for one of the less active members, mopping her floors. She has so many animals! a lizard, a bird, two cats, two dogs, and fish! oh, and don't forget the turtles either! So it was definitely good that we could help clean!
Thursday: Volunteering at the animal shelter has never been more fun! There were four adorable puppies in there that we got to play with, and some crazy kittens as well! my arms are covered with cat scratches and puppy kisses. (the puppy kisses definitely helped) We had a great lesson with a fairly new investigator. We were able to teach the restoration and we could feel the Spirit! It was a great lesson.
Friday: What a day. My 10 month mark! So our car got damaged ever so slightly. It's about a two inch gash on the front. We somehow met with the trailer hitch on a truck. I thought she rolled back into us, she said we rolled into her. Either way, it was a minor thing, no one's hurt and I'm trying to forget it ever happened. My first accident, ever. And definitely my last!
Saturday: We had a fun Christmas Brunch with the ward! then afterwards the YSA made ginger bread houses. my house was by far the best ;).But really we all had a great time, some people including our adult leader started throwing candy at everyone, but my house escaped unscathed. We finally got some knocking in this week and had a great time! I never thought I would miss it. But I did. The crazy experience for us was when Sister Fenn (despite my opposition) knocked on a house that was part of the lawn of this old church. To my surprise we were greeted warmly and invited in for Christmas dinner with some guests this couple had over. It turned out they were a Pentecostal couple and very friendly! We had a delicious meal and made some new friends.
Sunday: We sang in the ward choir! It was a lot of fun. We also had our apartment inspections (we passed) and then we drove out to Wade to have a lovely dinner with some of the members. We helped to hang bells on a Christmas tree, and talked about interesting things. Before we got to the Gospel, the Sister informed us all about Coy-Wolves. apparently the coyotes and wolves up here are getting too friendly. So that was pretty interesting. I thought dad would appreciate that.
We ended the week with a visit to a less active member and we watched "Finding Faith in Christ". I just love the spirit in that film. It helped me remember what Christmas is all about. Our Lord and Redeemer.
Love you all! I am staying in Presque Isle for another transfer! I would love to get christmas cards! <3
Sister Smith