December 13

thanks for the email updates!

on our way to the cyber we just saw a moto accident, motorcycle that is, scary stuff........

so glad to hear that you have plans to go see the minnesota fam poppy and that auntie holly and the boys are going to come and visit mama, that sounds like a fun little trade. give them all my love okay??? its true poppy, aunnie and auntie marilyn are a HUGE blessing, dont know what we would do without them. how great is it to have family to take care grandma and grandpa. we went to an old folks home this week and sang some christmas songs and they were so happy!!!

okay okay now i understand the whole retirement deal... sounds like a pretty good plan you have going, but also sounds like you are retiring one job to work more in another... kind of kills the word retirement haha. mamas baking ahhhh!!!!! i miss the smell of the house with all her baking for the business at this time of year, enjoy it for me!!!

well today i officially have 7 months in the mission!!! wow the time passes so fast, each change goes by faster.

this past week was really good, we were able to do intercambios with the other two hermanas that we live with and i went with Hermana Enamorado in her area and the other, Hermana Puentes worked with my companion in our area for a day. It was SO good and I learned a ton, Hermana Enamorado is an amazing person and missionary. I really felt that that intercambio took place for a reason, i figured out so much by teaching with her for just one day.

My companion and i are continuing to look for new people to teach, we had some really great lessons this week and found some really great new people that are interested to hear more about our message. Its a fight to find people but it is such a good lesson of patience for me. I think i have been so used to things moving so fast in life that it has been hard to realize that we will be blessed if we can have patience. If i continue to do my part the Lord will do His, reminds me of a quote that says something along the lines of pray like it all depends on the Lord, but work like it all depends on you. I really feel that I am learning to trust in the Lord and His timing.

This friday we are having a mission Christmas conference, i am super excited!!!! The conferences are always great, and i am so excited to see my old companions as well of course!!

well earlier this week during my study i came accross a scripture that i have read plenty of times before, but that took a new meaning to me. it is in John 15 verses 1-13 really. but i am just going to quote a few of them. Jesus is comparing himself to a vine and us as the branches of the vine, it reads ¨abide in me, and I in you. As the branch itself cannot bear fruit itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ya can do nothing..... As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you : continue ye in my love.... if ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love.¨ wow oh wow i love this scripture, i was truly able to read it at just the point i needed to. I know that without Christ I am nothing and that if I put my trust in Him and do everything I can I will be able to bring forth fruit.

well i love you millions and zillions and trillions, love you so much and hope that you are all doing so well. xoxoxoxoxoxo- Jess