Hark hear the bells, Oh silver bells, sing all the way, Loud though they ring, Marching their song, Screaming along, Oh how they ring, Filling the air, Ring- ding-a-ling-a-ling-Ring-ding-a-ling-a-ling-Ring-ding-a-ling-a-ling-Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas - Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.
-My Favorite Christmas song, "Carol of the Bells" ---Those aren't the words, but that's never stopped me before so...I sing it all the time. I've heard it a few times, which has definitely lifted my spirits. Once it was on my way to lunch and someone was playing it on the piano, amazing.
Family,
I love you. MERRY CHRISTMAS. Merry, Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the emails and letters and updates. It's week five slash six at the MTC. I can now officially read spanish well, en voz alto y tambien puedo entender muchas palabras cuando leo. Es buenisimo! Estoy muy animado. Tambien puedo entender cuando mis maetros me hablan...Did you all understand that? haha.
Well. It is COLD here. It's snowed a few times but it goes away by the end of the day. A snow flake landed on my jacket one day - it was crazy. It was so defined and detailed. Simple pleasures. Mom, I started writing all the quotes you send me down in a little notebook. Combined with all my favorite movie quotes, HP, etc. And I have a new favorite scripture, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" It's found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. But it's so beautiful, right? It's something Dumbledore would say. I think this Christmas I've realized how many treasures I have. Not treasures of five pairs of glasses or a few nice watches...but simple treasures. Having my family. A dad, who honors his priesthood and respects his wife. A mother, who's raised her family to be independent, strong, and intelligent. Sisters, who honor their virtue, are smart, beautiful and funny. and a brother, who's the example of charity and obedience. Friends who really care about me. A dog, who will always love me. A warm Home, filled will memories and laughter. Family, I miss you a lot this Christmas. It's hard being away from home. Hard not being there to help clean or wrap presents, or go to the beach, or sing christmas carols. But I'm here. and I'm happy. I am. I'm happy. I've made the most of the Christmas season. Remember how I had 8 scarfs....haha well now I only have four. I know, I know. That's still a lot. But I thought I'd trade them for ties - but I needed this other Elder (Elder Alvarez) to do it because I knew I'd just give in and trade for an ugly tie. So I gave him my scarfs to go and trade. I got one golden tie from this kid in my zone. Several districts make up a zone. My district is all of the people I always talk about aka Elder Draper, the hermanas, etc. I live on the international floor so we have people from Tonga, China, and South America. It's crazy and they have some nice ties. But before I knew what was happening I gave all my extra scarfs out for free. They needed them way more than I did. And now I see them walking around with my scarfs and it makes me smile. Merry Christmas to them.
Also mom, I think the Christmas card and letter look GREAT! I'm impressed. Was that photoshop? or did you use a different program? I like all the photos used and the letter was fantastico tambien. Miss the fam. I opened the box, because I wanted to preview the gifts you got for Elders Draper and Foster. and then I couldn't help myself so I looked in my stocking. and I love all the ties you got! Seriously, the one thing I wanted was more ties, we wear them everyday so it gets to the point where I feel like I just wore the one I'm wearing, thankyou! --- I got three! Mitchell's is so cool and the slim ties are the best. But I feel like I can't give Elders Foster and Draper ties, without giving Elders Bray and Soelburg ties. So I'm keeping them all for myself. Yes! Five new ties! Haha, just kidding. I really had to think for a while on this one, because I really liked those slim ties, but I'm giving one to Elder Bray and one to Elder Soelburg. So we'll each get a tie. Christmas. The time of giving. Also, I've split up all the twistables - so everyone will get 5 or 6. and I'm giving the hermana's the stockins filled with some candy. They like that sort of thing. And I'm giving my stocking filled with some candy from the district to our teacher Hermano Buseth, and I bought a 'thank you' card and we're all going to sign it. And I'll probably write a card to Hermana Alanis and give her some twix or something. You gave me so much I feel like it's not fair to not share it. That statement goes beyond my christmas gift. Meaning the gospel and the reason I'm here. "Train up your child the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it" Merry Christmas.
Ok, funny stories that have happened this week. Elder Draper. Dot. Dot. Dot. Roll my eyes and go. My district has this re-occuring joke that this one girl is my "twin" because she wears glasses. She also wears this turquoise jacket that is the exact shade of one of those skinny ties you got me. aka we're twins. So, at every meal or every time we see her - we point her out. I laugh. "haha, yeah that's my twin" but Elder Draper takes it to the next level. He'll literally point her out. Like point at her. Pointing. With his finger. Ahhh. So rude! I tell him to stop everytime but he doesn't think it's rude, so he continues. Well. Yesterday, we're eating and Hermana Davenport, who's sitting across from me says, "Don't look now Elder Poirier but Elder Draper is on his way over and he's bringing your twin" Whhhhaaaattttt. Lo and Behold - I turn around and there is Elder Draper with Sister Romero. She's super nice and laughed the whole time - and then we planned on getting a photo together after dinner. Elder Draper said that he was getting food and she came up behind him and he thought, "Oh man - here's my chance and told her all about how she's my twin, etc." She said she could see it. We both laughed. I got the photo and now we wave to eachother whenever we see eachother.
I think I told you that Elaine S. Dalton came and spoke to us. That's been my favorite devotional by far. My Branch Presidency - surprisingly - gave us all christmas cards and cookies. Sister Towsey - the Second Counsler's wife told us that David Archeleta is coming to the MTC after January 1st. hahah. But that's so cool right?! He's famous! kind of...but still. I love Sister Towsey because I can tell she feels the same way about President Evans that I do. That's he's unnecessairly strict and mean. For example, after devotionals like with Sister Dalton, we go back to our district classroom and talk about the things we like, struct us, etc with a memeber of our branch presidency. We had the Towseys and they're supposed to leave at 9 to go to a meeting, but one of our hermana's wasn't done and President Towsey was like, "we have to go, they want us both" and she said "no, she's not finished - I want to hear what she has to say and I want to add something" So she stayed and then told us about David Archeletta. hahah. That's so something mom would do.
Sometimes I do weird things like Cassie. Her "Roommate" laugh. I can't help it. I'm stuck together with the same people all day so I'm like 7x more sarcastic and 100x more weird. I love to make people laugh though. During volleyball - we have gym everyday and I play volleyball - hahah I know, right but my left leg has been giving me problems it hurts when I wake up and when I run but - everyone takes the game so seriously - and then there's me. Cheering on everyone - shouting out nicknames. "What's your name?" "Elder Thorolin" "Yeah, I'm gonna call you Thorwillow" --- It's not funny to you. But I've made so many laughs. I want people to think about me and think, "yeah, I liked him - he was super nice." I am. I'm really friendly. I wonder what Elder Foster and Elder Draper write home to their families....weird Florida kid.
Also for Christmas for my district, I wrote out 100 things slash memories about the time we've had thus far in the MTC and I wrote a nice letter to each of them along with the list. Since the temple is closed today and we ususally go do that, I have a ton of extra time...so I'm going to type out the list? I hope you don't mind. It's good. Elder Foster and Draper are taking naps and I'm on splits with Elders Bray and Soelburg and we're at the computer lab so...
1. The day we first me.
2. When we met our Branch Presidency. dun. dun. dun.
3. Just kidding. that wasn't that bad.
4. The day we met President Evans. DUN. DUN. DUN.
5. "Fue una broma"
6. All of a sudden it's Christmas
7. All of a sudden we have three weeks left.
8. Elder Slowburg.
9. When Elder Barroteran was in our district.
10. "Vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol..."
11. Araceli.
12. "You lied to me! and whatture you --- a sheep!"
13. Do you guys want to what Jonny Lingo?
14. No.
15. When we saw Elder Christensen from the district in the cafeteria.
16. You just got Franced!
17. The cafeteria's orange juice...
18. specifically what it did to Elder Draper....
19. Hermana Davenports endless widsom and knowledge.
20. Pablo Sanchez.
21. That time Elder Foster prayed for "Pedro Sanchez"
22. When we walked into our room and the Avanzados were sitting in the dark reciting some poem they memorized.
23. Nevermind that was just me and Elder Bray.
24. Coquetear...you guys....
25. Elder Bray's coquetear historia...rude....
26. Elder Soelburg's "MP HP" story.
27. "Your mom has more FB friends than you!"
28. My mom always says, "You wil DIE!" --- Hermana Lucero.
29. Elder Bray's window seat....
30. That day I didn't get a letter...wait...nevermind....
31. When Elder Draper tripped on the stairs.
32. Elder Soelburg making us late for our temple session.
33. Seeing Hermana Bingam (our teacher) in our session and meeting her husband.
34. Being glad Soelburg made us late.
35. Nariz Cafe.
36. When Elder Soelburg laughed during Elder Draper's prayer.
37. "You know - I'm pretty sure they sell shovels at the bookstore..."
38. High Priest Group aka God's waiting room.
39. Elder Foster and the chulula incident.
40. "OH YEAHHHH!" deep, raspy Elder Draper voice
41. "Study time"
42. That day my companionship was late and had to take all the trays...
43. Those 17 other times we were late and had to take everyone's tray.
44. My twin.
45. "Hogwarts Hoggy Woggy Hogwarts"
46. Quiet dignity.
47. Your super cool totally awesome, radical gnarly haircut described in the santa biblia blanca on P day.
48. Our classroom.
49. Sitting in my corner I can stare at everyone without moving my head.
50. Half Way! 50 more nice things to say. I can do it!
51. Asking Hermana Davenport everything aka source of all spanish knowledge.
52. Playing volleyball together.
53. When the first group of Avanzados left...
54. Viitanen and Guzman.
55. When Ohara, Alvarez, and Hermana Read left.
56. When Hma. Davenport told us her roommate was named Hermione Granger.
57. "I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed, or worse --- expelled!"
58. "She needs to sort out her priorities."
59. When Hermana Franc ran 3 miles on the track!
60. "You go Glenn Coco!'
61. When we learned to pray in spanish.
62. Getting frustrated with Pablo.
63. Doodleing...or that was just me...and Elder Foster too!
64. Making "Michael Scott" and "Dwight" signs to Elder Bray.
65. Seeing Hma. Franc and Hma. Davenport on the screen during Tueday night devotionals (they're in the choir
66. Elder Foster and Soelburg too.
67. When we taught Maria aka Hma. Lucero aka disaster.
68. When Hma. Lucero was our teacher.
69. When Elder Foster and Draper missed our District meeting....
70. Hermana Alanis.
71. When we sang "A Child's Prayer" in parts.
72. Nosebleeds.
73. "Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this stupid drought --- useless and disappointing!"
74. Yer a wizard 'Arry.
75. God speaks so we can understand, he speaks to our hearts.
76. By this shall men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
77. Most people are about as happy as they make their lives out to be.
78. God is love.
79. When district 55E surprised us with new desks!
80. Era una Broma*
81. When Pablo committed to be baptized (with a date)!
82. Crayola Twistables.
83. All our temple walks.
84. Hma. Franc passing out napkins at every meal --- thank you!
85. TRCs
86. Also I have determined all of our HP characters.
87. I am Harry Potter.
88. Elder Bray is James Potter. Athletic, funny, good at Quittich, etc.
89. Elder Soelburg is Professor RJ Lupin. Intelligent, knows he's scriptures, a werewolf, tall.
90. Elder Foster is Sirius Black. Likes to make people laugh. Good sense of humor. Can transform into a dog, you know.
91. Elder Draper -really is Peter Pettigrew, but being nice is - Ron Weasley. Blunt, sometimes insensitive but a good friend and trustworthy.
92. Hma Davenport is obviously Hermione Granger. Suuuuper smart. Knows all her spells - the sorthing hat's new song?! Spanish. The hair. Come on!
93. Hma Franc. Humble. Way nice. Witty. Funny. Yes, you guessed it Harry's loyal, spirited owl: Hedwig.
94. When Hma. Bingam left us and we had slash are having every other spanish teaching in the MTC.
95. TALL aka Mormon.org messages.
96. When we got our missionary name tags.
97. The moment our calling as a missionary 'hit' us.
98. Running back from our Temple walks trying to be on time for our district meetings--- plural because it's happened almost every time.
99. Hermana Davenport's knowledge. Hermana Franc's smile. Elder Draper's jokes. Elder Soelburg's laugh. Elder Foster's caricatures. Elder Bray's friendship.
100. You guys -- excuse me, you Missionaries, we've had our days. We've shined, we've cried, we laughed, and we've become great friends. I'm grateful you are my MTC district. You're going to become great missionaries and change the lives of many. Merry Christmas.
Well. You probably won't get all of our jokes. But the point is - I love my district. We're crazy and we get annoyed with each other all the time, but we're in this together. It's killing me to wait to give them their gifts, I just want to give it to them now!
Family and Friends, I wish you the merriest and happiest Christmas. I hope you think about our Savior and his love for all of us. There are so many great scriptures that decribe his love and his sacrifice that I've found and love.
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" 2Ne 25:26.
"I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: that he lives!" D&C 76:22
He is the way, the truth, and the life. He lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer. Merry Christmas.
Mom and Dad, I love you.
Aleksi, enjoy the beach. Jump in the ocean one extra time for me.
Cassie, I love you sister, kiss chesney for me. I'm proud of you. I know it's hard being the only one at home. Bear with patience thy affictions for this shall be but a small moment. Such a small moment.
Mitchell, Merry Christmas. January 24th we will officially be missionaries in the field together!
Friends and Family, enjoy the blessings of the season. I love you!
-My Favorite Christmas song, "Carol of the Bells" ---Those aren't the words, but that's never stopped me before so...I sing it all the time. I've heard it a few times, which has definitely lifted my spirits. Once it was on my way to lunch and someone was playing it on the piano, amazing.
Family,
I love you. MERRY CHRISTMAS. Merry, Merry Christmas. Thanks for all the emails and letters and updates. It's week five slash six at the MTC. I can now officially read spanish well, en voz alto y tambien puedo entender muchas palabras cuando leo. Es buenisimo! Estoy muy animado. Tambien puedo entender cuando mis maetros me hablan...Did you all understand that? haha.
Well. It is COLD here. It's snowed a few times but it goes away by the end of the day. A snow flake landed on my jacket one day - it was crazy. It was so defined and detailed. Simple pleasures. Mom, I started writing all the quotes you send me down in a little notebook. Combined with all my favorite movie quotes, HP, etc. And I have a new favorite scripture, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" It's found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. But it's so beautiful, right? It's something Dumbledore would say. I think this Christmas I've realized how many treasures I have. Not treasures of five pairs of glasses or a few nice watches...but simple treasures. Having my family. A dad, who honors his priesthood and respects his wife. A mother, who's raised her family to be independent, strong, and intelligent. Sisters, who honor their virtue, are smart, beautiful and funny. and a brother, who's the example of charity and obedience. Friends who really care about me. A dog, who will always love me. A warm Home, filled will memories and laughter. Family, I miss you a lot this Christmas. It's hard being away from home. Hard not being there to help clean or wrap presents, or go to the beach, or sing christmas carols. But I'm here. and I'm happy. I am. I'm happy. I've made the most of the Christmas season. Remember how I had 8 scarfs....haha well now I only have four. I know, I know. That's still a lot. But I thought I'd trade them for ties - but I needed this other Elder (Elder Alvarez) to do it because I knew I'd just give in and trade for an ugly tie. So I gave him my scarfs to go and trade. I got one golden tie from this kid in my zone. Several districts make up a zone. My district is all of the people I always talk about aka Elder Draper, the hermanas, etc. I live on the international floor so we have people from Tonga, China, and South America. It's crazy and they have some nice ties. But before I knew what was happening I gave all my extra scarfs out for free. They needed them way more than I did. And now I see them walking around with my scarfs and it makes me smile. Merry Christmas to them.
Also mom, I think the Christmas card and letter look GREAT! I'm impressed. Was that photoshop? or did you use a different program? I like all the photos used and the letter was fantastico tambien. Miss the fam. I opened the box, because I wanted to preview the gifts you got for Elders Draper and Foster. and then I couldn't help myself so I looked in my stocking. and I love all the ties you got! Seriously, the one thing I wanted was more ties, we wear them everyday so it gets to the point where I feel like I just wore the one I'm wearing, thankyou! --- I got three! Mitchell's is so cool and the slim ties are the best. But I feel like I can't give Elders Foster and Draper ties, without giving Elders Bray and Soelburg ties. So I'm keeping them all for myself. Yes! Five new ties! Haha, just kidding. I really had to think for a while on this one, because I really liked those slim ties, but I'm giving one to Elder Bray and one to Elder Soelburg. So we'll each get a tie. Christmas. The time of giving. Also, I've split up all the twistables - so everyone will get 5 or 6. and I'm giving the hermana's the stockins filled with some candy. They like that sort of thing. And I'm giving my stocking filled with some candy from the district to our teacher Hermano Buseth, and I bought a 'thank you' card and we're all going to sign it. And I'll probably write a card to Hermana Alanis and give her some twix or something. You gave me so much I feel like it's not fair to not share it. That statement goes beyond my christmas gift. Meaning the gospel and the reason I'm here. "Train up your child the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it" Merry Christmas.
Ok, funny stories that have happened this week. Elder Draper. Dot. Dot. Dot. Roll my eyes and go. My district has this re-occuring joke that this one girl is my "twin" because she wears glasses. She also wears this turquoise jacket that is the exact shade of one of those skinny ties you got me. aka we're twins. So, at every meal or every time we see her - we point her out. I laugh. "haha, yeah that's my twin" but Elder Draper takes it to the next level. He'll literally point her out. Like point at her. Pointing. With his finger. Ahhh. So rude! I tell him to stop everytime but he doesn't think it's rude, so he continues. Well. Yesterday, we're eating and Hermana Davenport, who's sitting across from me says, "Don't look now Elder Poirier but Elder Draper is on his way over and he's bringing your twin" Whhhhaaaattttt. Lo and Behold - I turn around and there is Elder Draper with Sister Romero. She's super nice and laughed the whole time - and then we planned on getting a photo together after dinner. Elder Draper said that he was getting food and she came up behind him and he thought, "Oh man - here's my chance and told her all about how she's my twin, etc." She said she could see it. We both laughed. I got the photo and now we wave to eachother whenever we see eachother.
I think I told you that Elaine S. Dalton came and spoke to us. That's been my favorite devotional by far. My Branch Presidency - surprisingly - gave us all christmas cards and cookies. Sister Towsey - the Second Counsler's wife told us that David Archeleta is coming to the MTC after January 1st. hahah. But that's so cool right?! He's famous! kind of...but still. I love Sister Towsey because I can tell she feels the same way about President Evans that I do. That's he's unnecessairly strict and mean. For example, after devotionals like with Sister Dalton, we go back to our district classroom and talk about the things we like, struct us, etc with a memeber of our branch presidency. We had the Towseys and they're supposed to leave at 9 to go to a meeting, but one of our hermana's wasn't done and President Towsey was like, "we have to go, they want us both" and she said "no, she's not finished - I want to hear what she has to say and I want to add something" So she stayed and then told us about David Archeletta. hahah. That's so something mom would do.
Sometimes I do weird things like Cassie. Her "Roommate" laugh. I can't help it. I'm stuck together with the same people all day so I'm like 7x more sarcastic and 100x more weird. I love to make people laugh though. During volleyball - we have gym everyday and I play volleyball - hahah I know, right but my left leg has been giving me problems it hurts when I wake up and when I run but - everyone takes the game so seriously - and then there's me. Cheering on everyone - shouting out nicknames. "What's your name?" "Elder Thorolin" "Yeah, I'm gonna call you Thorwillow" --- It's not funny to you. But I've made so many laughs. I want people to think about me and think, "yeah, I liked him - he was super nice." I am. I'm really friendly. I wonder what Elder Foster and Elder Draper write home to their families....weird Florida kid.
Also for Christmas for my district, I wrote out 100 things slash memories about the time we've had thus far in the MTC and I wrote a nice letter to each of them along with the list. Since the temple is closed today and we ususally go do that, I have a ton of extra time...so I'm going to type out the list? I hope you don't mind. It's good. Elder Foster and Draper are taking naps and I'm on splits with Elders Bray and Soelburg and we're at the computer lab so...
1. The day we first me.
2. When we met our Branch Presidency. dun. dun. dun.
3. Just kidding. that wasn't that bad.
4. The day we met President Evans. DUN. DUN. DUN.
5. "Fue una broma"
6. All of a sudden it's Christmas
7. All of a sudden we have three weeks left.
8. Elder Slowburg.
9. When Elder Barroteran was in our district.
10. "Vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol..."
11. Araceli.
12. "You lied to me! and whatture you --- a sheep!"
13. Do you guys want to what Jonny Lingo?
14. No.
15. When we saw Elder Christensen from the district in the cafeteria.
16. You just got Franced!
17. The cafeteria's orange juice...
18. specifically what it did to Elder Draper....
19. Hermana Davenports endless widsom and knowledge.
20. Pablo Sanchez.
21. That time Elder Foster prayed for "Pedro Sanchez"
22. When we walked into our room and the Avanzados were sitting in the dark reciting some poem they memorized.
23. Nevermind that was just me and Elder Bray.
24. Coquetear...you guys....
25. Elder Bray's coquetear historia...rude....
26. Elder Soelburg's "MP HP" story.
27. "Your mom has more FB friends than you!"
28. My mom always says, "You wil DIE!" --- Hermana Lucero.
29. Elder Bray's window seat....
30. That day I didn't get a letter...wait...nevermind....
31. When Elder Draper tripped on the stairs.
32. Elder Soelburg making us late for our temple session.
33. Seeing Hermana Bingam (our teacher) in our session and meeting her husband.
34. Being glad Soelburg made us late.
35. Nariz Cafe.
36. When Elder Soelburg laughed during Elder Draper's prayer.
37. "You know - I'm pretty sure they sell shovels at the bookstore..."
38. High Priest Group aka God's waiting room.
39. Elder Foster and the chulula incident.
40. "OH YEAHHHH!" deep, raspy Elder Draper voice
41. "Study time"
42. That day my companionship was late and had to take all the trays...
43. Those 17 other times we were late and had to take everyone's tray.
44. My twin.
45. "Hogwarts Hoggy Woggy Hogwarts"
46. Quiet dignity.
47. Your super cool totally awesome, radical gnarly haircut described in the santa biblia blanca on P day.
48. Our classroom.
49. Sitting in my corner I can stare at everyone without moving my head.
50. Half Way! 50 more nice things to say. I can do it!
51. Asking Hermana Davenport everything aka source of all spanish knowledge.
52. Playing volleyball together.
53. When the first group of Avanzados left...
54. Viitanen and Guzman.
55. When Ohara, Alvarez, and Hermana Read left.
56. When Hma. Davenport told us her roommate was named Hermione Granger.
57. "I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed, or worse --- expelled!"
58. "She needs to sort out her priorities."
59. When Hermana Franc ran 3 miles on the track!
60. "You go Glenn Coco!'
61. When we learned to pray in spanish.
62. Getting frustrated with Pablo.
63. Doodleing...or that was just me...and Elder Foster too!
64. Making "Michael Scott" and "Dwight" signs to Elder Bray.
65. Seeing Hma. Franc and Hma. Davenport on the screen during Tueday night devotionals (they're in the choir
66. Elder Foster and Soelburg too.
67. When we taught Maria aka Hma. Lucero aka disaster.
68. When Hma. Lucero was our teacher.
69. When Elder Foster and Draper missed our District meeting....
70. Hermana Alanis.
71. When we sang "A Child's Prayer" in parts.
72. Nosebleeds.
73. "Waiting for you is like waiting for rain in this stupid drought --- useless and disappointing!"
74. Yer a wizard 'Arry.
75. God speaks so we can understand, he speaks to our hearts.
76. By this shall men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
77. Most people are about as happy as they make their lives out to be.
78. God is love.
79. When district 55E surprised us with new desks!
80. Era una Broma*
81. When Pablo committed to be baptized (with a date)!
82. Crayola Twistables.
83. All our temple walks.
84. Hma. Franc passing out napkins at every meal --- thank you!
85. TRCs
86. Also I have determined all of our HP characters.
87. I am Harry Potter.
88. Elder Bray is James Potter. Athletic, funny, good at Quittich, etc.
89. Elder Soelburg is Professor RJ Lupin. Intelligent, knows he's scriptures, a werewolf, tall.
90. Elder Foster is Sirius Black. Likes to make people laugh. Good sense of humor. Can transform into a dog, you know.
91. Elder Draper -really is Peter Pettigrew, but being nice is - Ron Weasley. Blunt, sometimes insensitive but a good friend and trustworthy.
92. Hma Davenport is obviously Hermione Granger. Suuuuper smart. Knows all her spells - the sorthing hat's new song?! Spanish. The hair. Come on!
93. Hma Franc. Humble. Way nice. Witty. Funny. Yes, you guessed it Harry's loyal, spirited owl: Hedwig.
94. When Hma. Bingam left us and we had slash are having every other spanish teaching in the MTC.
95. TALL aka Mormon.org messages.
96. When we got our missionary name tags.
97. The moment our calling as a missionary 'hit' us.
98. Running back from our Temple walks trying to be on time for our district meetings--- plural because it's happened almost every time.
99. Hermana Davenport's knowledge. Hermana Franc's smile. Elder Draper's jokes. Elder Soelburg's laugh. Elder Foster's caricatures. Elder Bray's friendship.
100. You guys -- excuse me, you Missionaries, we've had our days. We've shined, we've cried, we laughed, and we've become great friends. I'm grateful you are my MTC district. You're going to become great missionaries and change the lives of many. Merry Christmas.
Well. You probably won't get all of our jokes. But the point is - I love my district. We're crazy and we get annoyed with each other all the time, but we're in this together. It's killing me to wait to give them their gifts, I just want to give it to them now!
Family and Friends, I wish you the merriest and happiest Christmas. I hope you think about our Savior and his love for all of us. There are so many great scriptures that decribe his love and his sacrifice that I've found and love.
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" 2Ne 25:26.
"I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: that he lives!" D&C 76:22
He is the way, the truth, and the life. He lives. He is our Savior and Redeemer. Merry Christmas.
Mom and Dad, I love you.
Aleksi, enjoy the beach. Jump in the ocean one extra time for me.
Cassie, I love you sister, kiss chesney for me. I'm proud of you. I know it's hard being the only one at home. Bear with patience thy affictions for this shall be but a small moment. Such a small moment.
Mitchell, Merry Christmas. January 24th we will officially be missionaries in the field together!
Friends and Family, enjoy the blessings of the season. I love you!
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