Week #14

Happy Holidays Family and Friends, 

This week has been a growing week. My companion has been pretty sick. There is a nasty cold going around right now. I have been super blessed that I haven't gotten it yet, but because I just said that I'm going to get it! 😂 We have two people that we are teaching right now which is a pure blessing from God. Sister Bowen and I have done a lot of tracting and haven't gotten the greatest responses this week. 

Thursday was the first day of the Light the world campaign. We didn't have any investigators that needed service, so we went and helped Sister Burton put up her Christmas tree. It was a lot of fun. We pulled apart all the branches to make it look full. We shortly realized that we forgot to connect all the lights together. The connectors were super little so we played where's Waldo with the light connectors. We got most of them connected but the top of the tree still wasn't lit. Sister Burton found a broken bulb which shocked her and all she said was "oh my." Then to get back at the bulb she flicked it and all of a sudden the light flickered on. She then replied, "There we go" I love how simple acts of service can bring happiness to you and those around you. 

Thursday night we had the relief Society Christmas dinner. Sister Garff the relief Society president put together the cutest Christmas program. Sister Bowen and I were asked to be the directors of the nativity. Well let me tell you when you get a whole bunch of youth who have never practiced and two missionaries who were handed the script 30 minutes before, something is bound to happen. On the script there are cues telling you when the characters go on stage. In this nativity in particular there are only 3 cues.... that's right only 3. The first one was awesome Mary and Joseph went out exactly when they were suppose to. They sang a song and Sister Garff started to read some more scriptures. Well she said angel, so we sent the angel out.... well it was definitely the wrong time. Poor Sharie who played the angel stood there all awkward. We flipped the page over realizing that we sent her out just a little early. While in the mean time Carson who is playing Mary grabbed the pillow out from her stomach and had nowhere to put it so she threw it barley missing the pianist. All the Sisters died laughing. The wise men were next. We told them right before they went on that they needed to bow when they got to Mary and Joseph. They did such a great job as Jared drops the metal box making thee loudest crash. The boys all started laughing and so did Sister Garff. Sharie came back into the over flow and the first thing she said was "I think I went out just a little early" 😂 when all was said and done all the youth came back into the overflow and we were all dying of laughter at the terrible nativity that was just put on. Sister Garff came back in tears she was laughing so hard. Don't worry it was worth it for the youth because she bribed them with pizza. The dinner was amazing. The Sisters loved the nativity and even though it didn't go super smooth the spirit was still there. Testifying that this Christmas season is about the Savior Jesus Christ. It was fun to see all the Sisters in the ward! 

This weekend we did a lot of tracting and street contacting. It's hard work and can get tiresome but Sister Bowen and I try to make it fun. Friday Sister Conrad came on an exchange with us which was a lot of fun. There was big event going on in Tarpon Springs. They call it "There's Snow Place Like Christmas." They line the streets with tents and vendors. It reminds me of Herriman days. They have all these machines blowing out snow. It's so fun to see it melt before it hits the ground. We talked to a lot of people and shared the Light the World video! Its amazing to see how soft peoples hearts get when they watch a video of our Savior Jesus Christ. Sunday evening we had two member meals. We're still not allowed to eat with them unless we have a recent convert or investigator with us. We were pretty excited that we had two of them. 

I love this gospel and I am so thankful to be a member of this church. I love that we have the knowledge and answers to the questions of the soul. This is the greatest time of year when we can build our relationship with the Savior and come closer to him. Every day I am reminded just how much our Savior loves us. It really is infinite. I hope that you all have a wonderful week. Always remember when you feel like giving up don't it's not worth it. We go through trials to help us grow here on earth. Turn to him in time of need and he will comfort you. I love you all! 

Love, 

Sister Graham