"What Can I Give Him?"



Sister Hunt and I outside the temple after Sister's Conference

So I am emailing you now because yesterday the library's computers weren't running and we had a meeting all day today for trainers and new missionaries, so this is the first chance that we've had.
 

This week was great :) We have met with Michelle 3 times since last I wrote to you and she also came to church this week! We have taught her about the Word of Wisdom and she is "going to try her best." She really is one of the sweetest people I have ever met and we just love her so much! Today we set a baptismal date for the 12th of January and she is going to buy some hot chocolate tomorrow to replace her coffee with in the mornings. I want her to have the happiness that comes from living these commandments and also from reading the scriptures and doing everything that she is trying her best to do. I want that for her SO BAD!
 

We finally caught up with Christina for a few minutes last week and will be meeting with her this week. :)

Last Thursday we had a Sister's Conference! It was so much fun to be there with ALL the sisters in the mission. It was especially fun to see Sister Brown one more time before she goes back to Kiribati in a month. I am going to miss her so much! It is weird to have my "mom" going home already and now I'm a "mom" to my own companion.

At the Temple after Sister's Conference

Right after the Sister's Conference we had lunch/dinner with the Watt's. They are an adorable older couple in their 80's who have been married for 3 years after both losing a spouse. We heard lots of fun stories and they spoiled us just like we were their grandkids. :)
 

Friday night was the Branch's Christmas Open House. We had lots of treats and music and a small nativity display with about 30 nativities. We sang Christmas Carols and everyone had a great time.

Sister Hunt and I at the Branch Open House and the display of nativities :)

On Saturday we spent lots of time out in the cold. We walked around for about 2 hours but not many people were out... or at home... where is everyone when that happens?!?! haha
 

I loved the Christmas Devotional on Sunday night! President Monson quoted lyrics from a song that I sang in Choir last year at BYU. I love these words! "What can I give him, poor as I am. If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a Wise Man I would do my part. What can I give him, give him my heart." I think that is all anyone wants from us even and especially during the holiday season. Do people really want our money and our hastily bought presents? Or would they rather a small simple act or gift that took some time, thought, and a little piece of our heart? Don't get me wrong, everyone (and that includes me) loves presents and it is fun and exciting! But the presents that matter most are the little pictures the kids draw, or the 20th tie rack your children built for you in your shop out of a scrap piece of wood and some nails (sound familiar Dad? haha). It's the heartfelt cards or notes or all the time we know they must have spent looking for or making this special thing they knew we would love. I guess what I'm getting at is what I wrote about last week too... don't let the spirit of the season slip past you. Do a good deed. Give some change to the bell ringers. Feed the missionaries. ;) Send a special note with a Christmas card to someone who is having a hard time. SMILE at people! Do whatever you want or can in order to help others feel the love of the Savior we all have felt in our lives.
 

Ok, I'm stepping off my missionary soap box now. I hope you have a great week and that you are able to enjoy the season and the cold weather everyone's been having this week. I love you all so much and are so grateful for our family! <3
 

All my love,
Sister Shurtz

We needed a little Christmas decoration... so we made some paper snowflakes and hung them in our apartment from the ceiling!