Hey everybody! How goes it!? Today is a beautiful Christmas Eve day here in Missouri and right now I am here sitting next to my new companion, Sister Hawkins. She is FANTASTIC, and no I am not just saying that because she is sitting right next to me and may be creepily looking at my computer screen... I was not expecting to get a new companion but I have learned to not really expect things at transfer time because I usually find myself quite surprised as was the case this last Friday. So quick story about transfers. We were supposed to have them on Thursday but a big storm blew through here and the roads were quite horrible so President Keyes canceled transfers until further notice. He also asked us to not go out into our areas until he gave the go ahead. We ended up doing our studies and a few hours of weekly planning and then we just felt so weird and cooped up. I did end up getting some things done that I really had been wanting to do before my new companion came, like thoroughly clean out our bedroom. We just got a new vacuum and I used it for the first time in our room because it was in desperate need of it. I wish that you all could have seen the hair that I ended up having to cut off of the brush roll thing on the vacuum because it was wound all around it and making it not work completely right. This was on a brand new vacuum! After just one use! I was quite disgusted that I had been sitting on that floor to do my studies for so long. Have no fear, it is clean now and my new companion has no idea that it was even like that before she graced me with her presence.
When we found out that Sister Lettig would be leaving we decided to merge a couple of our appointments so that she could meet with the people that she loves here before she left. It just happened to be Dave(our recent convert)'s birthday and so I ended up writing a song that day that we could sing for him that night. It was to the tune of "I am a Child of God" and I played my guitar and sang with Sister Lettig. They absolutely LOVED it. They won't stop talking about it and apparently the video that they took of it is all the rage on facebook right now. So. I am famous! Ha ha, it was so much fun to see them get so excited. I did not realize how much it would mean to them. I know that Heavenly Father helped me with the lyrics because I was able to write it up in just a couple hours and it was so perfect for them. I am so thankful that the Lord allows my companion and I to help make people so happy. I was sad to see Sister Lettig go but at the same time I just had this feeling that it was her time. I loved serving with her though and I hope that she is doing well now. The Lord sent her to the middle of Kansas. Yeah. The flat part. She may just tract into Dorothy. Well at least she can get like a mile away from her companion and not be breaking rules because they will still be within sight... ha ha!
So my preparation day is now on Mondays again so that is when you all should be getting my weekly letters.
Sandy is doing FANTASTIC! She has not smoked and yet again I am happy to report that I have not eaten any sweets whatsoever. We are holding on strong! I think that my body is benefiting from this...it has been a blessing for both Sandy and I. She was really sick Saturday and yesterday with a cold and so we were not sure if we were going to be able to go over there tonight for dinner as was planned but she let us know early this morning that she is okay and is expecting us to be there tonight. I am so thankful to have her and her family this Christmas season. I love them so much and they have shown us so much love. Although I do miss my family and getting to spend the holidays with them, this Christmas season and last Christmas have been the best Christmas's of my entire life. I really understand now why my mom was always wanting to just give, give, give during Christmas time. I did not fully understand how wonderful you feel when you get to not only give gifts, but to give of yourself. I am so much happier not thinking about what I am going to get or about who is going to serve me. When we let go of ourselves and put our all to make others happy, this is wherein we find peace and joy that will last through all trials and tribulations.
I went through a bit of a rough time this last week before we found out about transfers. I started feeling inadequate as a missionary and I allowed Satan to let me think that I have not made a difference as a missionary. I let myself get down for about one night and the next morning I woke up and I remembered wherein my happiness lies. I was feeling some bitter feelings toward Heavenly Father because of some things that had happened and I began to remember the incredible amount of blessings that he has given me my entire life. The bitterness, hurt and anger that had literally been making me sick to my stomach and my chest feel so heavy left over night. Literally I woke up and everything was okay and peace washed over me. I can hardly believe that now I feel the strength through my Savior to do all the things I need to be doing amidst the sorrows and disappointments of life with a smile on my face and real joy in my heart. It is the most beautiful thing that I have learned in my life and it has been a long time coming. I know that I am always learning in growing but this has been such a big deal for me and I feel so thankful. The gospel has made me more whole and happy than I ever thought I could be.
Christmas is tomorrow. Have fun and be safe. Read the Christmas story and rejoice in the Son.
Love,
Hermana Thorne
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