Sat. Dec. 12

Oh my, things just keep getting busier and busier. We went to the First Ward Christmas Party last night. We got there early and found these two new investigators sitting in the middle at a table by themselves. We sat right down and visited with them. It is Sister Via and her daughter, Monica. We are teaching her the first lesson on Tuesday. She is married to a member who is a truck driver. Her daughter, Monica, is 17. She is not certain if she is interested or not. We will see. We went around and introduced ourselves to people and shook at lot of hands. There were other Non-members there also that we met later. These wards up here are so good at fellowshipping. One of the teenage girls who Monica knew at school came right over and sat at the table with us right by Monica and they visited. It was just the ideal situation. We teach her mom the first lesson on Tuesday.

I think we have a lesson with 8 people so far this next week. Many of them are investigators who have agreed to listen to the Restoration lesson. Heavenly Father has just had them prepared for us. I called one investigator who had just been in a car accident where she broke her back and arm. She is still recovering. I invited her to church tomorrow she said that she would try to come. We also have at least two others coming. This is simply amazing and will be so fun to see their growth.

We are speaking in the Second tomorrow in Sacrament Meeting. Our subject is the gifts on Christmas. We have split it up. Sister Whiting is speaking about the gifts that God has given to us and Elder Whiting is speaking about the gifts we can give to him, in regards to missionary work. They caught us before we could get out of there last Sunday. They are a very friendly ward

This morning Elder Whiting and I have been doing a variety of things. We spent time writing our talks, calling media referrals, haircut for Elder Whiting, sent a few Christmas Cards, etc. We still have a few things to do. The wind is blowing very hard outside and it is getting colder and colder. Tonight is our Second Ward Christmas party. This Bishop is totally different than the First Ward Bishop. He just lets it all hang out and just loves everyone. He is so easy to talk to and relate to.

This town is a lot larger than Corsicana and so much more forward in their thinking. The members here love the Gospel. They show it in how they live their lives with each other. We like our location and hope we do not have to move. The people down stairs must have moved out early because we have not had any cigarette smoke this week. We live about 11/2 miles from the church. The business area is beyond that another few miles.

My love for the Gospel and Jesus Christ has grown so much. I am so grateful that we came on this mission together. It has been such a super experience that I would not trade for anything. Even with all the business right now, we are growing and learning by leaps and bounds.