First things first, Merry Christmas in just 2 days! It doesn't feel like Christmas because it is rainy and in the 60's or 70's today. But it really is crazy to me how much time has passed! As of yesterday I have been a missionary for 7 months. 7 MONTHS! It still feels like I just got here. But at the same time it feels like forever since I have seen your faces or heard your voices. I'll get to talk to some of you in just a couple of days though! I wish it could be all of you, but just wait a year and then we can talk in person! :)
On Tuesday we had lessons with Sarah and with Michelle. They both went very well! We taught Sarah about the Plan of Salvation and she is excited for our lesson on the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately we can't meet with her until the 30th because of the holidays and everything, but we gave her a pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, with Renae's testimony in the front of it, and she said she would read. Before we left she gave us some fruitcake from a place in Bear Creek (AKA: the middle of nowhere) that is really famous for it's fruitcake. It was pretty good, basically a sweet bread with a lot of nuts and next to no fruit. Still not a huge fan though, I'd much rather eat some chocolate! haha
Michelle is doing really well. She has stopped drinking coffee and tea and will continuing to work on the Word of Wisdom this week. She is still planning on getting baptized on the 11th of January. She is so sweet and is definitely strengthening her testimony in Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.
Wednesday we had a Christmas Zone Conference in Raleigh and it was with 3 zones. (Raleigh, Durham, and Apex) It was fun to see my old companions, especially because Sister Brown is leaving in a week to go back to Kiribati!
Thursday Sister Hunt and I got sick again! We ended up doing a lot of studies and some facebook time that day but still managed to have some lessons and things.
Friday we still weren't feeling very well, but we pushed through it. We had another lesson with Michelle and dinner with the Zrubek family. I love the members on this branch!
Saturday we spent some time with Dawn, a less active member of our branch. We helped her do some cleaning and sorting. But most of all, I think the biggest help we gave her was just talking to her. Listening to stories and getting to know her better.
Yesterday at church we sang a special musical number in Sacrament Meeting and also in Relief Society. Relief Society was focused on the women from the story of Jesus' birth. I'm not sure where the script came from, but I bet you could find something similar online. It had a part about Elizabeth, Joseph's mother, Mary's mother, a Shepherd's wife, the Innkeeper's Wife, and Mary. As the different women read the parts it really brought the story to life and helped you to understand the story in a more personal way.
This week will be filled with food and the Christmas spirit. The Branch here is taking good care of us!
I love you all so much and pray you will have a great and safe Christmas.
~Sister Shurtz
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