What a nice week! To be honest not much happened, but this week was a fun reminder that Christmas time is here!
I don’t have much time to write my email this week so I’ll keep things short by sharing just a few fun moments.
We finally set up the Christmas tree that’s been sitting out on the balcony and wrapped it in lights! One of the other Elders had the genius idea to put pass-along cards with pictures of Jesus on the branches as decoration and we then put all of our Christmas packages from home under the tree. It was a bittersweet reminder of family traditions and heartwarming memories, but a fun way to celebrate while in the appartment.
We also extended my first baptismal invitation to one of our progressing friends this week which was really exciting! What a blessing to be able to invite someone else to feel the blessings that come from making covenants with our Heavenly Father.
Another fun moment this week was receiving our housing inspection score for the transfer. After living in constant fear of this transfers suprise inspection, we finally received a text saying that we got a 100% score which doesn’t happen often!
The final thing I’ll share is from last night. After a long Sunday we got to have dinner with a really sweet member couple and watch the Christmas Devotional with them afterwards! I really enjoyed the second and third messages that were shared and it was comforting to hear both of those speakers talk about missionaries being away from home. It was nice to know other missionaries have felt the distance from family even more this time of year as well, but it was also a reminder of how blessed I am to be a part of my family. The devotional was also a reminder of the importance of focusing on the Christ in Christmas and sharing the gift God that gave us with all around us. What a perfect time of year to share the good news as the angels did that wonderful night so long ago!
That’s about all I can think to share, so I love you all and I wish you a very Merry Christmas season!
Sincerely,
Elder Whitchurch
3 Nephi 27:13-16
Fun Story:
We got a new district leader this transfer and, as a celebration of our first district council together, he and his companions showered us with some surprise confetti! It was a really fun way to kick things off and the council that followed was full of jokes, laughter, and overall good humor because of it.
