Sister Madsen's Mission Blog: Christmas and Transfer Call (Week 12)

This week has gone by so fast! It has definitely been a slow week with the holidays but still good nonetheless. On Christmas Eve, we had dinner with Sister Haefner, one of the ward missionaries. She is so kind and fun to talk to. We had ham, potatoes and green beans with pumpkin pie for dessert. While we were waiting for dinner, we put together a puzzle. She even sent us home with one to do together.

On Christmas, we had breakfast with the Warmbrodt family. We had biscuits and gravy with fruit and muffins. It was so good. Then we got to see them open all their presents. With all their family there, they have lots of little grand kids with mental disabilities. It got a little loud sometimes but it was really neat to see how they manage their Christmas day. They are such a neat family and they even gave us missionaries some gifts. They gave us each a Chinese fan and a small Russian doll. The fan was so that we would remember their adopted daughter from China and the doll was to remember their adopted son from Russia. Those gifts I will keep and cherish for years to come. Their family sacrifices so much for others and they care so much for countless children who have disabilities. It was touching.

We then went over to the Bradley's house to skype our families and eat lunch. It was such a blessing to be able to see them and talk to them. I loved it. After lunch we went back to our apartment, put the puzzle together (all of it), ate dinner, painted t-shirts and went to bed early.

The rest of the week was very slow. We did get transfer calls and both Sister Gunter and I are staying!!! We were so surprised. Not only will she be my trainer, but my follow-up trainer as well. It is so rare that companions stay together for more than 1 or 2 transfers, but we will be together for 3! I am excited to see the changes that we can continue to make in their area. I has been a challenge but we know that we can make this new year great.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful gifts and cards that you all have sent me. It was so nice to open them all on Christmas morning and I felt loved. May your new year be great and filled with positive change. Love you!

I'm sorry to say that I can't send any pictures this week. We normally email at the local college which has free internet and printing and we have no trouble getting pictures to send. But the last couple weeks, that college has been closed for the holidays and so we have to go to a library to email. Their computers are not able to register the pictures for some reason. The college library should open up again next week and I will send lots of pictures then.