Dec 18

Howdy,

It has been a real good week. Each transfer we have a meeting called Specialized Training (I don't know what makes it specialized), President Pingree comes to the area and teaches our zone about something nice. This past week we learned about the importance of setting goals and making plans. We figured out that every week we have 65 hours of proselyting time. That's a lot! 

On Christmas we're going over to a member of our ward's house for breakfast and then we'll skype there. I'm not sure what time I'll actually be able to chat but I'll figure it out and let you know. I got your Christmas "letter", I liked it a lot! You should just tell anyone that thinks its too short that every picture is worth a thousand words (or however that phrase goes). I especially like the picture of Jack, I miss him the most. Just kidding but it was a very cute picture of him. I also liked the picture of Harrison and Christian because neither of them are smiling or looking at the camera. Also, Harrison is wearing a bolo tie and Christian is wearing a bowtie - pictures really do speak a thousand words. I'm sure I'll love anything that you sent. I was actually thinking that I should send some Texas AM paraphernalia but now that football season is over it has been harder to find. I guess their basketball team is not as good? 

Its kind of weird being a missionary during Christmas. Actually, it is weird being in Texas during christmas - I never realized how much I associate the climate with the holiday season. It's not super warm here but warm enough to make Christmas seem like its still a few months away. Being a missionary is awesome during the holidays because people are more susceptible to feeling the spirit. We had a lot of people tell us that the work would probably slow down this month because so many people are on vacation but its been fairly busy. In the past three days we have received 5 referrals and that really does not happen very often. The referrals we have actually contacted are also actually interested in hearing more about the gospel. Lots of times people will just send us a referral of someone who they haven't even mentioned the gospel to.

Have I told you about Shelby? She's our main investigator but we're a little worried that her Aunt Darla won't allow her to be baptized. Shelby is pretty great. Neither of her parents have custody over her because they both struggle with drug addictions and the Aunt she stays with has drinking problems but Shelby is the most enthusiastic/optimistic 12 yr. old I've every met. So we hope she can get permission for baptism but even if she doesn't, I feel confident that she'll be baptized when she's 18.

Sometimes the hardest part about being a missionary is not getting discouraged. I know that this is the Lords work and everything is done in his time but sometimes I just want investigators to come to church. I think the mission, thus far, has taught a lot concerning how it really is not about what I want.  So I just got to keep reminding myself that. The less I look inward and more I look outward, the more the Lord can use me as an agent in bringing people closer to him.

My companions are real great. They remind me of you guys because they make fun of me a lot (in a loving way). I think Sister Gregson might get transferred soon but we hope she doesn't. I think I could probably spend most of my mission in Bryan because I love it here.

Well I guess I'll talk to you soon!

Sister Davis