January 5, 2014

It’s just a little cold here.  The high today is like -5 so it’s no big deal :)  But I am EXTREMELY grateful for the feet and hand warmers Ange sent me.  We have been using them a lot and they are the best! 

This past week went by WAY fast.  We had two big meetings for yearly goals and all that and then we had New Years.  We ate Chinese at a members house and were still home by 9:30 and in bed before 10:30.  Supposedly they had fireworks at midnight, but I was so tired I didn't hear them.  New Year’s day was nothing too exciting.  Actually I don't even think I remember what we did :)  We have spent a lot of time at the Johnsons lately.  

The rest of the week was pretty quiet.  We have been trying to walk a lot so we can work off holiday food.  And as a result we meet a lot of people on the street.  One day we saw a lady walk out of an apartment complex and I asked Sister Martinez if we should talk to her.  She said well yeah and so I let her take the lead.  When we started talking to her she asked when they traded sisters.  She knew who we were!  This never happens!  Well she let us in and we met her fiancé.  Come to find out they are less active members that the ward has been unable to contact for the past year.  The Lord totally had a hand in helping us find them!  It is moments like this that I know why I am on a mission!  We talked to them for a little while and they still have a lot of concerns with the church and our bishop actually.  But they talked about us coming back.  It is hard to see so many people offended by little things.  Satan truly is strong in this area and we are constantly trying to fight him.  But it is all very worth it.

Then there was a big storm warning for the weekend as you have probably heard.  They canceled church on Sunday which was WAY weird.  It killed me because it was the first Sunday of the year!  So the year has started in quite an interesting way that is for sure.  The weather here is weird and the people here are so scared of snow.  Plus they do not know how to pave a road!  With storm warnings everyone rushes to Walmart and buys out milk, bread, and toilet paper :)  Then they all go into hibernation I swear it’s crazy.  We thought it would be beneficial for us, but they still didn't open their doors.  Anyway so the storm hit pretty hard and we were in the middle of it enjoying it.  We had to walk everywhere and we felt like pioneers it was awesome. 

I was reading in 1 Nephi when they are going to get the plates from Laban and I thought it was interesting that they were taking all of their Precious things to Laban to trade for them.  Here they are back home and instead of slipping some of their treasures in their pockets they give it ALL up in hopes to obtain the record.  So I was thinking what would I give up for the word of God?  How much do the scriptures mean to me?  I think this year as I continue to study them I will focus on their worth in my life.

Anyway there is a tidbit from my week :)  Good as ever.  God is with us and his work is slowing progressing in this area.  I love you guys and am so grateful for all you do!  Be safe and enjoy the weather :) 

Sister Calton (Whit)