Hey there!
We had a fun and productive week!
Starting on Tuesday, one of my favorite members in the ward had a shrimp boil for us. Her name is Sister Curtis. She's the lady who threw up with her companion on her mission because they ate too much. She also let me borrow a bunch of winter clothes because I was very unprepared for the winter weather down here. She also takes us out to eat and to fun places on our P-day. She also goes on splits with us so we can get more work done. She also got us stockings with fun goodies and giftcards in them. She also will feed us any time we don't have a meal appointment. Needless to say, I am very indebted to her. Ideas on how to repay her are welcome! (I wrote this part 8 hours ago. I would like to add that I got super sick today and Sister Curtis let me sleep on her couch and took care of me so my companions could continue with their p-day)
I participated in musical numbers at both big missionary meetings we attended this last week. I also participated in one at church yesterday, and will be accompanying the choirs for both the ward and the branch at the stake Christmas fireside and I'll be accompanying two soloists and a quartet for our branch christmas program. I didn't realize I came on my mission to play the piano for everyone!
Highlights from the week:
We participated in a Christmas 5k on the base with one of our investigators and a less active airmen on the base. It was pretty fun, but super hot and humid.
We attended a conference with Elder Zwick (don't remember his first name) which lasted all daySaturday. And by "all day" I mean we were in our seats by 12:30 and didn't leave them until 8:30. It was NUTS! But there was a lot of good information shared that will help us all become better missionaries.
We had 4 investigators at church this Sunday and they all had a nice time! It was wonderful! Although some of our other investigators aren't doing so well. Keep them in your prayers!
Transfers are next Thursday, so I don't know what's going to happen to me. I've been here for almost 6 months.
Other note: Another elder from the MTC with me got his visa. He is leaving December 16th. That's 8 out of 10 as far as I know. I tried to check my visa status online and it didn't show that my name was even in the system. Ma and Pa if you want to trying doing some investigating? Or just pray for that too. Don't get me wrong though, I love it here.
Well, this email ended up being a little more hefty than I was intending, so I'll go ahead and close now.
I love my mission. I love the people here. I had a moment where I truly and powerfully felt the pure love of Christ for a man on his door step. We talked with him and he described how he didn't have a relationship with God and didn't want one at this point. My companions were ready to give up on him, but I felt so strongly that I needed to tell him that despite his current beliefs, he is in fact loved by God. His heart was softened toward our message and agreed to try and come to church on Sunday. I don't expect anything to come of this encounter, but I learned a valuable lesson about God's love for each of his children and it strengthened my testimony that we are doing the Lord's work, even if it doesn't turn in to a baptism statistic.
I love and miss you guys. We're using an advent calendar that Mama sent us to count down the days until Christmas. I'm counting down the days until we get to call home. I'm still working out the details, but I would love to either google hangout or skype with the family.
Know that you're in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Love,
Sister McElderry
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