Merry Christmas!

HELLOHOHOHO. 

We have had an insanely busy week. But then again, whats new? We are always busy. First and foremost, I have a new companion!! Sister Foster, from Washington/Idaho. She is just the cutest thing and is an AMAZING missionary. Like, amazing. I am so lucky to be her companion! And I am just super excited to be with her for the next seven weeks at least...hopefully longer. (: 

We have a new investigator named Vernon. He actually should be going to the branch, but nobody is at the branch right now because school is out, so after school comes back in we will have to hand him over to the UGA sisters. He is just super prepared, we found him when we were walking down a street one day and he had just moved here about a week ago. He is the sweetest thing and came to church on Sunday and absolutely loved it! He hit it off with the elders too. which is great. But if the elders are thinking of taking him away from us... nope. not happening. Anyway, he is on date for baptism the beginning of February.(:

We went over to Sister Schildknecht's home (a less-active member) and we just did the Christmasy-Christmas activities. We made Gingerbread cookies and decorated them, we had hot cocoa, listened to Christmas music (MoTab. Don't worry.) and decorated her home. It was the funnest thing ever. I just love her and Christmas, so it was a good combination. 

We have still been getting a lot of headquarter referrals for free Bibles, So we have been filling our days with delivering those and sharing the Book of Mormon as well. We have been getting a lot of new investigators from this, and we feel so blessed to be here at this time, knowing that there are so many people being prepared. As we were walking down the road one day, after delivering a Bible we ran into a man named Charles. He stopped and talked to us and told us his whole life story. Seriously. His WHOLE life story. He can talk. haha but he had actually met with Elders before when he lived in New York and actually got really close to baptism. But when he moved here, he didn't have any way to find the church. He was the kindest person, with so much faith. We are lucky to have found him. And it just showed us that even when the referral doesn't want to learn more, you are there for a reason.. we just have to go find that reason. 

I can't believe that it is already Christmas, the days seem to go by so fast. But I am extremely grateful to be sharing the message of Jesus Christ's restored gospel at this time. I do know that He loves us. I know that He listens to our prayers and He answers them. I know that He was born for us. It was the greatest act of love. I love this gospel. How lucky am I to be here at this time? Goodness. (: I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. I hope ya'll have a very merry Christmas!!

I love y'all!

Love, Sister Merritt