Date: Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 11:56 AM
Subject: Squirrel, Rabbit, & A Very Merry Christmas
Subject: Squirrel, Rabbit, & A Very Merry Christmas
Hey y'all!!
Merry Post-Christmas! I hope it was as much a joy for y'all as it was for me. I'll share some of the highlights with you right here and now!
I've had some great foodie experiences! Squirrel and rabbit. (It's extra awesome because they butchered and cooked it themselves! Very homegrown family at the Standers. :) )
Lyssa is experiencing a huge roadblock right now. She's having relationship troubles that are making her seriously consider not investigating the church anymore. For the past two months, she has come to lessons twice a week and to church faithfully, but she didn't come to her lesson on Friday or to church on Sunday. We had the impression to text her daily one thing we love about her. We hope it helps! We're praying hard for her. If you would include her in at least one prayer, that would help so much.
Christmas was wonderful! We caroled in the morning in a duplex neighborhood, and everyone loved it. One lady filmed us on her phone, "Y'all can SAANG! Y'all might go vahral owhn YOUTUBE!" We had one hopeful new investigator come from that neighborhood. We skyped at a non-member's home, which was fun for us (LOVED talking to my precious family!!) and a good opportunity to fellowship. We ate with the Standers and later with Sister Rodriguez. She and her husband are converts of eight years, and though nearly destitute financially, they faithfully feed the missionaries every week to show their gratitude for them and the gospel. A whole wall/room in their home is dedicated to pictures of missionaries they know.They had us over for a meal and gave us several beautiful gifts, including Athens GA shirts, handsoap, and Christmas scarves. People here are full of love and so willing to give, even when they have so little.
We also caroled to and visited some individuals and families who didn't have much company on Christmas, including bringing a meal and goodies by to our investigator, Frank. It was a beautiful day!
Sister Porter has had a harsh cold since Thursday, so we didn't go on exchange this week and we've only gone to a couple appointments per day. It's been a good opportunity for me to get things done around the apartment and organize things.We received Priesthood blessings yesterday from the elders, and those are helping. We're hoping she feels better in the next day or two!
We had a sweet moment in Relief Society yesterday. Sister Stander taught the lesson on the talk "Which Way Do You Face?" (Oct. 2014 General Conference, Lynn G Robbins). She talked about courage and shared this story about her experience with us the week before:
"Last week, I went out on a team up with the sisters. Appointment after appointment fell through-- most were home but wouldn't answer the door. We tried and tried with no success. After three or four stops, the sisters suggested we go back to the trailer park we'd just left to try one more person. We did, but they too didn't answer the door. Behind us was a trailer with Christmas lights everywhere, and loud music blasted alongside the loud voices yelling inside. The sisters said, 'Let's try THAT door!'" (Sister Stander is quite expressive, so big dramatic actions accompanied her storytelling.) "I was scared to death. We walked up in the dark to the door, and while the sisters knocked, I just prayed we wouldn't get shot!" Then she quieted as she continued the story. "A young lady answered the door, and the sisters delivered the most beautiful, spiritual message I have ever heard." She choked up and pointed to us at the back of the room. "I want to be like them. They know which way they face."
That was so humbling and warm for us to hear. To us, we had just knocked one more door-- something we often do when appointments cancel. To her, we had been examples of courage and love because we knew who we served. That was a special experience to hear our work so appreciated by someone else.
Have a Happy New Year!
Sister Taylor
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