Hello Utah! (And everyone else who may be reading this)
How is everything going? I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Christmas in North Carolina was pretty great!
This week was very interesting. Many of our appointments fell through which was no fun. Monday
was my first P-day in the mission field. It really enjoyed getting to
email everyone. So all my companion's mom wanted for Christmas was a
picture of Sister Alldredge with Santa Claus! So we went to the mall and
she took a picture with Santa....it was super awkward!! We waited in
line with all of the little kids. That night we had dinner with a family
in the ward and they made us Cafe Rio!!
Tuesday
was a lot of fun because we went out to lunch with Sister Parker (a
ward member who goes out with us each week) and Joyce. Afterwards we
went back to Joyce's house and taught her about the Ten Commandments.
Our lesson ended up turning into a discussion on covenant making and we
were able to help Joyce figure out what has been keeping her from being
baptized! We really hope that this week we will be able to help her get
over what's holding her back and hopefully set a baptismal date. That
night we had dinner with Sister Diaz who actually converted to the
church a little over a year ago. Her conversion story is amazing!!
Wednesday,
we had our weekly District Meeting. We learned how to teach the lesson
on Priesthood better. It was really great because we were able to find
several new scriptures that will hopefully help us to teach it in a
clearer way. That night we had dinner with Brooke Lopshire! Brooke and I
went to junior high together so it was really nice to see a familiar
face! After dinner, we met with Robert. The Brooks (Senior Missionaries
in our Ward) came with us. When the Brooks come they always bring a
different Spirit into our lessons. We ended up discussing baptism with
Robert and he wants to be baptized! He is just hesitant because he wants
to make sure the Bishop is ok with it and this Sunday he is meeting with the Bishop so we can't wait!!
Christmas
Eve was very interesting. In the morning, I still had not received any
of my Christmas packages because they had been sent to the mission home.
Sister Alldredge was not happy about it and had prayed for a Christmas
Miracle. I was just really excited to Skype so I knew that it would be
ok! That morning our District leader asked if we could meet up with him.
Guess What?? He had my packages!! It was so exciting!! That evening, we
definitely had a redneck Christmas Eve. A member in our ward took us to
her non-member daughter's house. They served us pizza and oyster soup.
The whole night was really awkward. Luckily, the member took us home
just as they began to pull out the alcohol. So, when we got home, we
needed to get into the Christmas spirit. We put on the Joy to the world
movie, made hot chocolate, put up Christmas lights, and made Christmas
Cards.
Christmas in the mission field was very
exciting!! After studies, we opened our presents!! For lunch, the
Mitchell's had us over and made delicious waffles. After lunch, we got
to Skype home!! Skyping with the family was really fun! I was so
grateful for the time that we had. It really helped give me a much
needed boost. That night, we had dinner at the Miller's (Bishopric
Counselor's Family). They fed us ham, rolls, stuffing, pies, and FUNERAL
POTATOES!! It was delicious! Brooke was there as well and for Christmas
she gave me and Sister Alldredge flashlights because we had been
talking with her about how it can be scary tracting in the dark!! After
that we went over to a lonely lady's house in our ward. She was really
happy that we came and gave her some company on Christmas. I am so glad
we were able to serve her. It really made me feel like I was losing
myself in the service of others!
Saturday,
all of our appointments cancelled and we were out of miles to drive. It
was a rough day. However, that night, Brooke was really kind and took
us to and from our dinner appointment! After dinner, we stayed in the
member's neighborhood and did some tracting. We were able to find 4 new
potentials so everything worked out in the end!
Well
that is about it for this week! I hope all is well for everyone!! I am
so grateful for all of the love and support that I have felt. It's crazy
to think that after this week, I have been gone for a whole month!!! I
love you all so much!!
Love,
Sister Paynter
Merry Christmas! (mission-style)
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