CHRISTMAS! :) singing loud! spreading cheer!‏

Hello my sweet family! And Merry Christmas! Wow! I cannot believe that time has just flown and that Christmas is this Friday... It’s going to be weird but awesome to see your smiling faces! We are going to a member’s home to Skype and it doesn't matter which one you use... whichever one gets the better reception/connection... ha-ha! We will give her your # so that she can coordinate with you to get everything set up. I love you guys and hope that you like the package... I did get your package and I love the boots! (I hope it was ok that I open it... there were things wrapped and things not so I figured it was.) I also got a package from Dane and Beth and from Tutu :) so that was good.

Yes our mission is having a party all day tomorrow where we take pictures and then our zones have a temple session at different times and then we are having a dinner and then doing like a white Christmas video with all the pictures of the baptisms and then we do cinnamon rolls and hot coco and we do this balloon thing where we release a balloon for every convert of this year... which right now is roughly 471...! Our goal was 500! And we are going to reach it! I know it! So that will be awesome! We are super excited! Christmas eve we get to go caroling.

This week was awesome! Yesterday we got to sing a duet in one of our wards and it was called "Holy Child". Everyone said it was really good! And then last night we were able to have the Christmas concert/devotional. SO. MANY. PEOPLE. CAME. It was packed! they opened up the gym and then they opened up the stage, and then people were even standing on the sides... the spirit was so strong and there's no doubt in my mind that angels were with us. Music really brings the spirit and it can touch the hearts and lives of so many people.

On Saturday, we were able to go to a boutique and have a little stand there. (think of Stansbury days-with all the tents and things) that's what it was but miniature and we had Book of Mormon's out and we had a poster sign that said, "the book is blue, the church is true, Jesus loves you!" it was a lot of fun and the members who live there, brother and sister Reed, are just awesome and he told us a bunch of stories and it was just cool.

Other than that we had a super huge miracle where a woman referred herself... ask me about that on Christmas and I’ll tell you the story.

Maybe I should write down some questions.... that's a good idea... well...

I guess I’ll see you in a few days...merry CHRISTmas!   I LOVE YOU!

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Yoo Hoo! Hi family! :) 18 days till Christmas!

2015 years ago, a Savior was born. Why do you all think a Savior was born?

What does it mean to you to know that he lives? That he was born for you?

I love the new video the church put out. Have you guys seen it yet? It gives me the chills every time. Also I just love Christmas. I love that we get to share the message of Christ’s birth with everyone. It brings joy to people’s lives.

I also loved the Christmas Devotional I loved how the underlying theme was Hope. Hope and Peace. Because a Savior was born, there is hope. The world doesn't have to be dark. Yes there is darkness, but the Light of Christ can chase away that darkness and bring peace to our hearts.

Christ is the reason for our rejoicing. I also liked how L. Whitney Clayton talked about how the shepherds were sore afraid and how the angel said to "fear not." I think I would have been a bit startled too but that we should fear not, because a savior was born and he was the one to help us overcome fear and to make it so that the world was not completely full of fear... but that there is hope! There is happiness! There is reason to rejoice! :) So remember the reason for the season and remember that a savior was born for you so that you didn't have to fear. So that you would not be alone in this life. That is my testimony to you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

So this week was awesome. Bobby was baptized and confirmed! Super cool! Here’s a pic. 

These are all the missionaries he went through... sister Seyboldt and I, sister Hendrick and I and then sister Hendrick and Sister Henderson. It was so awesome. I got to conduct the music and of course I’ve been getting over a cold so at the end of the closing song I like died coughing. But it was ok. Also my hair is getting sooooo long. Except just long to me because it’s been a while sense it’s been this long. Anyways... that was exciting...

This weekend we have the Cooks baptism. Julia (the mom) and Caity (the 12 yr old daughter). They already had their interview and everything! So we are super excited!

I got your package and I loved it! It was so cute! I tried those allergy meds and I couldn't really tell if they worked cause of my cold but from what I could tell it was awesome! Thanks! And I am working on getting a package together to send home to you guys for Christmas. I’ll probably try to get it in the mail real soon.

Well! That’s all folks! I will send more pictures of the baptism and other random pictures.

Thank you so much for the support you guys give me and all the love. I seriously feel your prayers! It’s awesome! Also send me ALL of the family photos you want because my sacrifice is done :) it’s the end of yet another transfer in the greatest mission in the world.

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!

Keep smiling :) keep being awesome.
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Happy Thanksgiving

I can’t believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone... I also can’t believe that I entered the MTC 7 months ago yesterday... I am such an oldie shmoldy to the sisters that I live with who are all like 3-4 months old... anyways... wow... what a week. Ok so we had an awesome Thanksgiving. We go to stop by a lot of people and eat some yummy food :) My favorite was the Armstrong’s pumpkin pie. mmm. It was like a melt in your mouth delicious pie. Anyways... I really enjoyed thanksgiving. But the day after was a bit rough... Sister Condie got a stomach bug and was not feeling well the next few days so we took a day to let her rest and sleep. Then she was feeling better yesterday so we go to go out and work. And it was funny because I feel like President Nattress foretold this at interviews. We were talking in my interview and he said something about how some missionaries will just get so so sick for a couple days after cause of all the food but I don't think that was it I think she got it from something or someone because we didn't even really eat a lot. Anyways... Other than that, interviews were awesome. Our week was awesome.

 Owens baptism was great and he wasn't scared at all! It just goes to show that the Lord was watching out for him and the spirit was calming him so that was good. Here is a picture!

Other than that, the cook family, who walked in and asked to be baptized are doing good and their baptism date is for the 8th of December. They are so golden it’s awesome! Well... I love you guys so so much! Sorry that this week was kind of boring... but we are doing good and we are alive! So ... that's awesome. Love you! Have a good last day of November and put that darn tree up! ;) Ha-ha! Everyone here has already had theirs up for a month! Yes we do do a Christmas concert and I am hopefully going to be singing! Also!!!! Have you guys seen the new Christmas video?? #ASaviorIsBorn ! Go look it up!!!! It’s AWESOME ! I LOVE IT! We will also find ways to serve this holiday season! I love you mom! Can’t wait to see/talk to you!

Ok... well... I love you guys. Bye... :)

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-Sister Anna Haymond