Christmas 2015

Happy day!!
This week has been wonderful as usual. We had a ton of fun with
Christmas and all the activities that come along with it. We had our
south zone mission Christmas devotional on Tuesday this week. I saw
sister Johnson and Sister Sorensen at the meeting- it was a little MTC
reunion. There was lots of singing and a beautiful testimony meeting
after. President and sister Marston recited the living Christ. It's
been great trying to memorize it over the past month.

For Christmas Eve we went to the Vargas' house for dinner- they served
tamales (this is their Christmas Eve tradition dinner). They were
super yummy! After we went over to President and Sister Marston's
house for more food and other Christmas fun. Lots of the missionaries
in the south part of the mission came over to sing songs and catch up
with other missionaries. At the end of the evening the Marston's
placed all their German Christmas decorations on the living room table
an lit the candles underneath. The heat from the candle spun the
wooden fan at the top. With all the lights out and the Christmas
decorations lit up it really was a beautiful sight! We sang a few
Christmas songs together, it was wonderful. I couldn't have thought of
a better way to spend a Christmas Eve.

Later that night around 11 pm we found out our trio was becoming a
quad for a period of time. It was fun having sister Duncan around for
Christmas Day. On Friday evening we got our transfer calls early! My
transfer predictions were correct except the timing of everything was
way off. Transfers are set for the fist week of January so this was a
bit unexpected. There needed to be a switch up in companionships so
our trio was split up (becoming a duo) and two other sister
companionships in our zone changed. Sister Canann ended up being moved
to the Rocklin YSA ward with sister Chicos. I was so so sad!!!! It's
quiet in our apartment without her. I'll be with sister Sheffield for
her last transfer in the mission or in mission lingo I'm killing her
off haha!! President said he needs me to stay in GB2 because I'll know
the area pretty well by the end of next transfer when sister Sheffield
goes home. Sometimes there needs to be changes in companionships for
the work to move forward. I'm sad to see sister Canann go but she will
be a great help to the YSA ward.

We did a lot of present wrapping for service this week. You will be
happy to know that my awful wrap skills are slowly improving. It's a
blessing to have two Christmas seasons in the mission because I'm sure
that by Christmas 2017 I'll be a pro. The Marston's let us help them
and they do present wrap to the extreme - bows, ribbon, string and
fancy name cards. I didn't know what to do with it all at first. A few
days later we wrapped for 2 hours with one of our less active members.
I've had my fill for the year ha!

Christmas Day was amazing! I loved having the opportunity to be in
lots of different homes. We couldn't go out door knocking so we just
visited people in our ward. I wanted to be out working- it was weird
sitting and visiting for so long.
The Hansen's had us over for breakfast. I loved being in their home,
all the kids were so excited. Their family reminds me a lot of a
family I love from back home, the Lehr's. Sister Hansen made Christmas
morning special for us by preparing stockings for us. She spoiled us
with lots of little presents. They gave each of us a beautiful gold
California necklace, a sparkly journal, a Christmas book to read to
our future kids, lip gloss, nail polish and lots of other little
things. Y'all know I love presents! I was in heaven haha! We got to
see the Manzers, and then went to the Furguson's for dinner in the
evening. The members spoiled us. I have felt so much love from our
ward over the past month. Granite Bay 2nd really supports the
missionaries. I'm grateful for their efforts because I know not all
wards are like this.
Even with all the presents my truest joy came from taking time to
reflect on our Saviors birth. I am beyond grateful for his sacrifice
and love for each one of us.
My highlight was talking with my family! I was so happy to Facetime
with them- I felt so excited - kind of like the feeling you get before
a first date. Nervous excited haha! I was super happy to hear their
voices and see their faces. I cried tears of joy! It's hard to believe
that almost 3 months have passed.

Last week was so busy on P Day with bowling, shopping for sweaters and
groceries I had to send my last few emails to the outbox because the
wifi was hit and miss where we were. I thought we would make it back
into a strong wifi connection before 6 pm so they would send. Our
plans changed and we hit wifi again after p day was over. So don't you
worry- I'm being an obedient missionary ha! Hope you all got them :)
P Day is supposed to be a time to recenter you for the coming week. I
always have fun but it usually turns into a crazy busy day.

A simple joy of this week was our weekly planning session- it was the
best one I've had while on the mission. We have a solid week ahead!!!

Okay I have to get going. I'm super excited for the new year coming
up. May 2016 bring you great adventures!

Ponderizing scripture for this week is alma 41:10
"Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration,
that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto
you, wickedness never was happiness."

I like this scripture! After we die and are resurrected we know that
event won't change our hearts and desires. People talk about
reincarnation and restoration but those two things are so different.
To be reincarnated is to become something else but restoration refers
to renewing what once was. Wickedness never was happiness. It's true -
bad choices lead to unhappy consequences... Not always right away but
eventually. Choose to be good today!!

All the best!
-SIster Taylor