Another wonderful week in beautiful Woodstock! We'll see how much I can remember because I haven't written in my journal for a while, but maybe a shorter email will be a good thing.
So part of the reason that I haven't written in my journal is because I actually started the 12 Days of Christmas Book of Mormon challenge. Basically you read the Book of Mormon in 12 days and on Christmas Eve, you finish and pray about it. I did it with my mom last year maybe, or maybe two years ago, and it was awesome! You really get an idea of how the history of the people matches up. Plus it's super sweet to say that I read the Book of Mormon in 12 days haha. I'm in Alma now. You all should try it sometime. I promise its worth it!
This week was also exchanges. My new Sister Training Leaders are awesome! We had quite the interesting day. It started it off alright, until we knocked on a guys door and he answered, not only with a cigarette in hand, but also he was wearing tighty whities. That were red. Needless to say, it was a quick visit haha. Then we went back to their house for lunch, and I was barely touching anything because they said they may or may not have bedbugs. How exciting huh? I was not going to bring those home with me. No thank you! After lunch we met some members who were awesome. The visit started off really normal, "where you from? What area did you serve in before this?" Etc... but the whole time he kept talking about his basement. So finally I got the hint and asked if he had recently finished or remodeled it. He said no which surprised me, but he invited us to come see it. Which we did. Turns out, he has a room 100% dedicated to his favorite thing ever. Guess what that is? If you guessed Hot Wheels (toy cars,) give yourself a high five! He had all four walls covered in Hot Wheels cars, blimps, scooters, boats, and even a couple of space ships. He had cars from 1965 to present day. Crazy, right?! Some of those cars were well over a few hundred dollars and the real question I had was, who buys toy cars for more than $2? I guess it's like any collectible. But really I was shocked! The best part was that he actually gave me one of his cars! I have the first of my very own collection now. Please send Hot Wheels for Christmas!
My favorite spiritual moment this week... I was having a rough day, and I was getting irritated. But Sister Beus and I were sitting in the car with twenty minutes to go before we had to head home and I was fuming and trying to stay quiet so I didn't snap at her, but she hates silence and so she kept asking me questions. And then she asked if she did something to upset me and I got more irritated at myself, so I said no. And she said are you sure? And I said sorry, but seriously no. And somehow after her prodding me and asking more questions and stuff she got me to bear my testimony of our Savior to her and the Spirit was just testifying so hard of the truth that I was saying and it was awesome and she was crying and said I know how you feel. I love Jesus too! It was cute that she thought she knew what I felt but it was nice to hear her testimony. I think everything that I and we as a family have been through have deepened my testimony so much, that when I have doubts or I'm confused, I immediately turn to Jesus the Christ. We memorized the Living Christ together and jeepers it's so cool! I definitely feel super blessed to know my Savior personally.
Anywho, I felt the most peace when I was praying one night and I was just pouring out my soul and it was like someone was kneeling right next to me, with His arms around my shoulders. It was like an angel was there, and not just the one, it was like angels were all around me. In the song "A Child's Prayer" I was always so confused when it said "Some say that Heaven is far away, but I feel it close around me as I pray" because I didn't know how to put myself into Heaven, but then I realized that I can't put myself in Heaven. Heavenly Father has to reach down and extend His love to me. As it says in Jesus the Christ "So, for the advancement of man from his present fallen and relatively degenerate state to the higher condition of spiritual life, a power above his own must cooperate."
We had dinner was with this adorable old couple. They actually had some sweet news. They're serving their second couple mission in Japan! (Shout out to Elder Frischknecht! They're coming your way in February!)
After dinner, we enjoyed walking through the neighborhood as a helicopter shined a massive spotlight throughout the city. Luckily no one ran past (or toward) us, but hopefully they found the guy.
I think the crowning moment of the night was when my Sister Training Leader told me her greatest fear was Frosty the Snowman. I'm serious. Terrified. Of a snowman. I almost peed myself laughing so hard. And the funniest part of it all was that here in Virginia, literally EVERYONE has snowmen decorations for Christmas. So every 10 feet, we'd see a new snowman and I would bust out laughing again at her horrified expression.
We also had interviews with my mission president, and boy oh boy do I love that man. He exudes Christ-like love and humility. He is the best man I've ever had the pleasure of meeting! (Aside from my dad
) He has a contagious smile that can't help but lift your soul. I'm so super lucky!
We also got to go to the river to pick out the spot that our friend Nate will be baptized. I'm still in shock with that one, and he asked us to be his witnesses! Oh brother! It's gonna be soooo cold! But SO worth it! I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present! Helping someone come closer to Jesus Christ like that is the most joy anyone can feel!
We got a sprinkling of snow and then rain over the top of that. But it all froze so when we went outside this morning to go get groceries, our car was a solid ice block. It was awesome!
Speaking of awesome, we got to go to a members home to decorate sugar cookies. It's one of my absolute favorites things to do at Christmas time, so it was a tender mercy when Brother Jensen asked if we wanted to. And then they gave us Christmas stockings. I'm being showered with love from Heavenly Father and from the members and it's so cool! Honestly, I'm so blessed to be serving the Lord at Christmas time. I LOVE IT!
Come closer to the Savior this Christmas season my sweet friends! He is the source of true and everlasting joy. I know with my whole soul that He is the root of peace and pure love.
Have a blessed week! Only 9 days til Christmas! Woohoo!
Love, Sister Morrison
Onward and Upward!
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