New York Utica Mission: The week before Christmas

This has been one of the best weeks of my mission!! Such a fun week!

Last Monday we did a lot of fun things like caroling, getting our nails done (by a friend), going out to eat, and shopping. Love p-days!

Tuesday we had exchanges with the STLs! They are so awesome. Love them. We had a busy day and had some cool miracles!

Wednesday was the Christmas Conference which was so fun!! I got to see one of my favorite people from my MTC district! They had really good musical numbers and speakers. The Spirit was so strong! That night we met this super awesome family (the parents are inactive and the college aged kids aren't baptized) and it was really fun talking with them.

Thursday we saw our investigators Joe and Carol. Love them. They are hilarious. Friday we did service at a place in the Elders area where they serve food to the less fortunate so we helped with that for a few hours and it was really fun. Some members from the ward came and helped too.

Christmas Eve we studied in the morning and then went to Beacon Point (a memory care facility) and went caroling with them. So fun! After we made a gingerbread house and then went to a less actives house and read a Christmas story with her. We hurried over to a recent converts house to help her get ready for Christmas and then went to the church to meet the elders to carpool. We went to the Smiths house and played games and had a yummy dinner then had hot chocolate floats (best thing ever) and read Christmas stories. Then from there we went to the Yates. SO FUN. Oh my goodness, I was crying laughing at one point. They had three college kids home and then two girls in high school and then the Andersens were over too and they are just hilarious. We had a talent show and everyone had to prepare a talent so me and Sister Reintjes decided to learn a missionary rap and it was rough haha but they thought it was funny. We sang a lot of carols and sang about Christ and watched the Nativity to end the night.

Then Christmas day we woke up and made cinnamon rolls and had hot chocolate and opened presents. Then went to church which was SO good. This ward is so talented oh my goodness. The primary kids sang and it was so cute! Then we went home and relaxed for a little bit and gave candy canes to our neighbors before going to the Bringhursts! We had a delicious dinner and then skyped home!! Loved seeing my family and can't believe that I only skype home one more time before going home! So weird! After being at their house we went to the Olsens and had pie and talked with them for a little bit. The members in this ward are the best.

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas!!

Love,

Sister Horne