Christmas Phone Call

What a treat to be able to talk to Michelle on Christmas Day! She and her companion were able to spend almost the whole day at the Dickson's home. They are a member family in the area where Michelle is serving. They had an Internet phone so I was able to talk to Michelle for quite a while, and it didn't cost anything. It was so great to hear her voice.

Michelle is doing wonderful in Anchorage. She is really enjoying the work. She says the pace is hectic, but she loves it. The weather has been really cold, but she isn't having any problems keeping warm. She says the people up there are really nice, even if they don't want to hear what she and Sister Hubbard have to share with them.

Christmas was special for her. A few weeks before Christmas I received an email from the Dickson's. They asked me what kind of things Michelle usually got in her Christmas stocking. They wanted to provide a little bit of home there in Anchorage for her. I told them the traditional treats that I always put in her stocking, and the Dicksons were able to get the items and have a special Christmas stocking from "home" for Michelle. That's so cool! Thank you Dicksons!

Words of Wisdom

Thanks Bobbi!

Merry Christmas

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." ISAIAH 9:6

In this Christmas season, our family wishes you and your family, the peace offered by the Only Begotten of the Father, Him whose birth we celebrate, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

Mail Call!

I received another email from Michelle today. She says she doing great! I asked her if she was having any problems staying warm. She said that they wear enough layers that she hasn't had any problems.

This Wednesday is the mission Christmas party. She is looking forward to that. I sent her a package to the mission home, so she would have a present waiting there for her. She's excited to open it.

The teaching is going well, and she and her companion are excited that they have some people progressing towards baptism.

It was a short email, but I could tell she was excited to be there doing the work.

Weather Statement

We've had a huge wind storm here in western Washington. They're calling it a 100 or 200 year storm. Over 1.5 million people are without power. It could be a week before everyone gets it back. It is our family prayer that everyone will be okay. We are fine and received no damage. We even have power. Just no broadband Internet. I'm using dial-up to post this. I'd make some jokes about how slow it is, but with so many people without power or heat, it's probably not very funny... Everyone keep safe. Our prayers are with you.

New Pictures!

I've added two new pictures to the Mission Photos link. One is Michelle with her Mission President and his wife. The other is with her companion and trainer, Sister Hubbard

Mail Call!

I received an email from Michelle on Monday. She's doing great. Here's an excerpt from her letter:

I'm glad you've enjoyed the pictures! I had so much fun at the MTC, I'm seriously considering applying to teach there after my mission-I think that would be such an awesome job! :D We'll see though, I still have 17 months to figure everything out. I had my first "click day" on Friday the 8th...whoo hoo! I don't know if you know what a click day is or not, but it's the day that you entered the MTC, so mine is the 8th of any month. Yay! :D lol.

Yeah...Elder Scott was AMAZING! :D Wow...

I'm not sure if I'm moving in January or not, but that's when Transfers are so I might be. Sister Hubbard thinks I probably will. I'll send you an email/letter a week or so before transfers to tell you to send stuff to the mission office until you get an address from me, that way things don't have to be as confusing. Transfers are every six weeks.

I haven't gotten your Christmas package yet, our big Christmas Zone Conference is on the 20th and that's when we should get everything.

Yeah, the guys are already after me...it only took me being here for 4 days...crazy. Exciting news regarding those investigators though-they have a baptismal date set for the twenty-third! :D

So,you got my package that I sent? Awesome! Feel free to put most of those pictures up on the blog-I'm still vain though so don't put any up where I look ridiculous.

You said that you got a letter from President Lewis, was that the one with a picture of Sister Hubbard and me, and the Lewis's and me? Those were taken our second day here in Alaska when we got our assignments and everything, so if I look a little overwhelmed that's why..lol.

Well, I'm gonna wrap this up so I can write to Caiti. I love you and I miss you guys! Tell everyone hello for me! :D

love,'chelle

New Pictures!

Check out the Mission Photos link!

Mail Call!

Finally, I received the much anticipated letter! Here's some of the details of her letter... It's cold! It actually warms up when it snows, but the snow is so dry, it won't pack to make snow balls. Her new companion and trainer is Sister Hubbard, who is from Idaho. She's been on her mission for almost 11 months. She and Michelle get along great and really seem to be hitting it off well. They both like to sing and are already scheduled to sing in church the end of this month.

Michelle and her companion have been teaching two people (investigators), who seem pretty interested in the gospel. They have since turned them over to the Elders because they wanted to go to the Young Single Adult ward. Michelle thought that was a good idea anyway, because one of the investigators had a crush on her and was disappointed the she doesn't date while serving a mission. Everyone is giving her a hard time (jokingly) because she's only been there for a week and already has someone crushing on her.

Right now Michelle is serving in the Chugach Foothills area of Anchorage. She'll be there until at least January, so if you want her address, check the address link.

Email!

So, I received an email from Michelle today! How exciting. Unfortunately, she was mostly just testing it and she really didn't tell me much. I still don't know where she is in Alaska! She did tell me that she mailed a letter today, so as soon as I get that I'll let you know how she's doing.

Anyway, here's the email address for Michelle:

shortnsweet164@myldsmail.net

It is good for the duration of her mission. I don't think this address accepts attachments. Michelle has also specifically asked that no "forwards" are sent.

As with the regular mail, keep it upbeat and remember that even with email, she still only has one day a week to read and write it. You may not always get a response. She's very busy on her p-day.

I will post this on the "Current Address" link, as well.