Hola mi gente! Como estuveron su navidad?
Our Christmas was so random and so great! We started out
having breakfast at our wonderful Stake President Craig's house and it was so
fun to be with the other missionaries! I had a blast talking about competitive
cheer with Sister Craig and their two daughters who are doing it! One of the
random parts of our day was when we went home to "open presents" (
which I had none because I accidentally opened mine on Sunday night and the
night before-whoops!) and I looked up at Hermana Sticklin and I told her how
much fun I was having with her and how happy I was but how guilty I felt
because the other missionaries didn't look like they were having that much fun
that morning! Why are we so happy?? We called ourselves to repentance and made
a list of ways we could be more obedient and be better missionaries. I was like
crying because I was so conflicted. I know how ridiculous this sounds, believe
me! We ended up calling President Andersen about it and he just started
laughing and asked us if we were teaching lessons..yes..if we felt close to
Christ...yes...he then told us that our whole mission isn't going to be like
this- it's going to get harder and we're going to have other companions that we
don't get along as well with and so we should be enjoying our happiness while
it lasted! He told us that the adversary will be sending us trials soon so we
need to appreciate this time where we just feel so at peace and happy with
everything. President spoke a little too soon because an hour after our call we
walked into the Kinley's home for Christmas dinner and the dog they were
watching bit Hermana Stricklin! It was so scary turning around and seeing this
German Sheperd clenching onto her thigh! The Kinely's felt horrible and covered
her hand and thigh in tea tree oil. We got to talk to our families right after
which made us feel 1000% better!
I had SO much fun talking to my family! I have the best
family ever! It was such a treat to see little baby Gwen for the first time! I
can't wait to have her in my arms! I especially l loved watching my nephew
Connor walking across the screen in his underwear- best kid ever! Once I
realized I only had a few minutes left on Skype I lost it and started
blubbering- I don't ever remember what I was telling them! I love my family and
am so grateful for their love and support!
We had little Christmas party with Sister Carlisle
afterwards and it was marvelous! She cooked a lovely dinner and we played
charades and did a white elephant gift exchange with the other missionaries! I
am so grateful for the members here that take care of us and make us feel so
loved!
We had 4 investigators at church on Sunday and it was
awesome! We had our friend Jesus come but in exchange we had to go to Catholic
Mass with him afterwards. The Catholic chapel here is so so pretty! I have
never been to mass before so it was definitely something new! A lot of standing
and kneeling! I think that the Catholic church is beautiful and I appreciate
their traditional beliefs. While we were sitting there I was so grateful to
know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church
and the Spirit confirmed that to me while we were there. One of the priests
there was just visiting for the day and he was so nice. He knew about our
church and thanked us for the work that we do and wished us luck.
One cool story I wanted to share was actually about Jesus
and his roommates. So, we've been teaching Jesus and his roommates Leopoldo and
Alsombro. We went on Christmas eve to sing them a song and wish them a Feliz
Navidad and this guy I have never seen before answered the door. He invited us
in to sing and I looked down at his hand confused- then he looked up and asked
who we were- when he told him he was like "That's so weird! I just picked
up this little booklet about something called the Plan of Salvation, is that
from your church?" And we were like yaaaaaaa! He said he always asks his
roommates what the Book of Mormon is and they never tell him! Those little
punks! We sat down and explained what it was, gave him a copy for himself and
left him with Alma 7 to read about Christ's birth and the Atonement. He took
the book and went straight to his room to read it! We had a follow up
appointment yesterday and it went great, he loves the Book of Mormon so far! He
isn't religious so when we asked him why he had a desire to read the BOM he
said because he wants happiness and for some reason he feels like he'll get it
from this book. Fermine is so amazing!
I got a bit of a cold going on so I've had a rough time
getting up and staying out all day. It's so hard being sick as a missionary
because you really need time to sleep and get better but there is no time! I've
been pushing myself the last few days to just make it through the days but I
finally wore myself out and we went in at 6 last night and I just slept
forever. It's so frustrating being sick because I would much rather be out
visiting with people I love here!!!
So, I need to tell you about our dear friend Archie. The day
I moved into the apartment here I heard a tap tapping on our bedroom window. To
my surprise it was a little finch. I named him Archie. I thought it was
adorable that he would spend his whole day, everyday, flying from the tree
branches to our window and tapping to tell us hello. Well after a few weeks, it
began to be less and less cute! At one point Hermana Carrell and I were trying
to sleep and all I could think of was the movie Failure to Launch and Zooey
Deschanel's character! I can relate to that character so perfectly! I just want
to get a BB gun and shoot little Archie- but just enough to scare him so he'll
stop! But I could never do that because I would feel guilty for the rest of my
life! He is such a smart bird- the second we wake up at 6:30- THE SECOND- he
starts tapping away! Then he'll stop for a little while and you'll go to lay
down and nap during lunch and the second he realizes you're trying to sleep
he'll start tapping away! Does anyone know why birds do this? I think he's just
a little coo coo! We opened our window one day to see if he wanted in and he
was about to fly in until he realized what was going on and backed himself up
and started tapping on the other window! What does he want! I gave him bread
the other day and he looked me right in the eyes, took a piece, ate it and then
went right back to pecking on the window! He's crazy! I love him but he's
crazy! The past couple of days he has had one feather sticking out of his head
sticking straight up and he just looks so crazy! He's such a good example to me
of persistence and diligence!
I am so excited for New Years! It's our only full whole day
off! We will be at the Kinley's place for breakfast because they're the best
and then we're watching the Disney movie "Monster's University!" Party! We're also going to the
church to play games with our zone- it should be a fun day!
Well, I love all of you so much and I want you to know that
I LOVE being a missionary! I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ that has been
restored in it's fullness is the only thing that will bring us lasting and true
happiness. The gospel is what gives us strength and hope through Jesus Christ.
I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer.
Hermana Knight
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