This week was an awesome turn-around for me. The beginning of the week was like the last 3 weeks – me trying my best to be kind, sincere, and loving toward my companion, but in return it felt like I was getting annoyance, dislike, and disobedience to the rules. I prayed many times to know what was wrong, and what I was doing to contribute. Wednesday came around and it all went down hill. To keep it all short, after getting some help, everything went to neutral ground and I tried harder to have a good relationship with my companion because I knew we needed to get along and work hard together. As I did this, I realized that because I was so focused on showing love and sincerity, I had forgotten to be myself and just have a little fun with him. The rest of this week Ive worked on just being normal (but continued being kind) and everything has flipped 180. We have been having a great time, laughing, joking, and working hard together. Everything is great. The Lord answers our prayers in ways we wouldn’t think (and sometimes ways we dont want him to) But Ive learned a great lesson.

We had some great experiences with Brother Nottingham (who is preparing to go on a mission). He stopped us and said, “We should talk to that guy” *pointing down the street* We didnt even see the guy, but Bro. Nottingham felt prompted to go talk to him. As we approached, 3 people got up and went inside, but 1 remained. Mike had no problem talking to us and was thankful for his new gift of the Book of Mormon. He said he’d love missionaries by, and we sent the referral to the Killeen elders.

Rufus again did not read from the Book of Mormon. He said he was sick and the other half of the week he was working. We were thinking, “Clearly, if we can stop by any night and you will let us teach you, YOU HAVE TIME!” But of course we didnt say that (even though I totally wanted to). Instead, we said, “The reason you haven’t been reading is not because you’ve been sick or busy. It is because you have a hidden concern or problem with something. What do you think that is?” and after a while and an itch of the head, he answered and said, “I just dont know if I can give up [some things]!” (We hadn’t gotten to the Word of Wisdom or law of chastity yet – someone else apparently told him about it) He thought that if he found the Book of Mormon was true, then that means the revelations of WoW and LoC were true and we would have immediate leverage to get him to stop everything immediately. We told him to focus on the Book of Mormon first. “If you find that the Book of Mormon was true, then the church is true – focius on that for now!” We committed him to read a chapter and pray about it and the spirit directed us to say he would gain an answer that night. Then he showed up to church! We are going to follow up tomorrow.

Sylvie still is having a hard time finding hope still. We taught her about the Atonement and tried to help her see that Christ can take all of these feelings away from her. We plan to read the Book of Mormon with her.

We were able to meet with Luis and read with him from the Book of Mormon and he said that it cleared up a lot of concerns he had about it and that since we started, he is going to continue! He is a cool guy and super sincere about the whole thing.

We had our Mission Presidents Christmas Devotional on Thursday and it was awesome! I received the letters that Mom and Dad sent and Im very grateful! We watched, “A Christmas Carol,” ate some brisket sandwiches and President Ames served us food. It was even combined with my old zone, so I knew literally every missionary in there! Twas great. President Ames wrote a Christmas story for us just using scriptures. Ill attach it and I invite yall to read it!

President had a phrase he made up when he was on his mission. When going through hard times, he would think, “Fire burns wood, but tempers steel, I am made of steel.” They handed us these cool little keychains with this quote on it.

We went caroling with the Sisters at a nursing home and it was awesome! Sister Eaton said, “You’re not down to sing, ‘Joseph Smith’s First Prayer’!” I am one to take a challenge, so we all did! it was awesome to bear testimony of the first vision through hymn to them.

We had the MOST LEGIT ward council of my whole mission yesterday!! Our new bishop used to be the high counselor over missionary work in the stake – so he knows whats up! He put us on the agenda first (something President wants us to try to get to) and as we talked about our investigators, he ASSIGNED the High Priest Group Leader to find someone to come with us to see Luis this week, and ASSINGED the EQP and the RSP to find a couple to visit Luis during the week and invite him and his wife to church! “Next!” Bishop says. We went through our appointments for this week and he made sure we were supported. It was “So totally wicked!”

Today for Pday Activity we are going to play, “The firey darts of the adversary” AKA Nerf war with the PVC pipes like dad does. If any of them have lungs like Dad, Im scared!

Well family, I love you loads! Merry Christmas!

I will be Video-calling yall between 3-3:30pm Texan time using Dads URL thing!

Elder Householder