Christmas is Coming...

Family!

Guess what? I get to talk to you soon! I just realized that! Anyway, we'll talk about that next time.

Life is great. :)

Last Saturday we had some members set up a last minute lesson with their friend for us. We went and taught him and had no time, and it was actually pretty awkward. He's single and in his late 20's. We'll have the elders teach that one. But it was still cool that the members would make the effort and help out the missionary work--and were willing to share the gospel with their friend. Even though we are not the right fit for him, the spirit was in the lesson. It was good.

Kris, our miracle new investigator, forgot his appointment this weekend. He called us later and felt really bad--he had been at the movies with his 9 year old autistic niece. We couldn't be mad at him. But he came to church on Sunday in his best jeans and a shirt that had a collar and buttoned up. He even took out his earring! We were so proud. Everyone was so nice, and he had a great time. At first he looked a little anxious, but he calmed down and had a good time. He even participated in class, and apparently the bishop caught him the hall and had a chat with him after elders quorum. Twenty minutes after church, Kris called us just to say he had a great time and he was so excited about everything and thank you. It was awesome.

Then we saw him again yesterday and taught him the Plan of Salvation and the Word of Wisdom. It went great. He just really gets it and is super excited about it. He really glows. It is so weird because I never thought I would connect so quickly with a guy with tattoos and earrings, but we are friends. I can't even really describe it because he is just 25 (he looks 19), but we just can teach in a way he understands and I just feel the Saviors love for him.  It is funny because things were so awkward with the members' friend, but things are not awkward at all with Kris. He's awesome. You'll have to meet him someday when he's a member and we come to visit my mission. I just know that both Sister Harding and I together were the ones who were supposed to teach him.

Monday was another awesome day. We had an appointment with Kylee, our other investigator that is married to an inactive member. It was the best lesson we have ever had with her. The Plan of Salvation again--now one of my favorite things to teach. Before it was intimidating, but now it is my favorite.

Then we had dinner with members, and this member is awesome. She was doing anything she could to get any of her neighbors to meet us or come to dinner with us. Finally her neighbor just randomly called after she came home from a trip and agreed to come to dinner. Her name is Nebraska, and she is awesome. I think she is coming to the Ward Christmas party this week.

THEN, we went to contact a headquarters referral. It took us forever to find it, and then he didn't live there. But the lady that did live there pointed us across the street to a man by that name that used to live there.

When we knocked on the door, the man that answered looked super surprised to see us, but went to get Carl because he did indeed live there. Carl came out and he was definitely only wearing boxers. No joke. Big beer belly, too. He looked shocked to see us and stayed standing behind the couch for decency. His friend finally got him a jacket to put on, but he just left it hanging open. We didn't let it get to us, and taught him anyway. It turned out he lives here, but works in Lawrence Kansas and stays there half the week. Last week he ran into elders out in Lawrence when he was drunk, and they gave him their number on a card--he showed it to us. What a coincidence. But he didn't recognize the name of the person that sent the referral. A member had called it in to the mission office (not the elders), but he didn't know a Lorraine. So we don't know how we found him. But we taught him about the Book of Mormon and he was interested, so we invited him to the Ward Christmas Party and set up a return appointment. So I have now found a new investigator in his underwear. Cool.

This week is going to be a good one. Tonight we are doing our Secret Sister gift exchange, and I still have to buy mine. Oops. I drew Sister Godfrey, one of the senior couple missionaries. We also have the Visitors' Center sisters musical night tomorrow when we are preforming. It should be good. The Ward Christmas Party is on Saturday, and I already know that there are going to be a ton of nonmembers there, so we are excited.

Transfers are next week, and I am just praying that Sister Harding will stay! I don't feel finished training her! I think she will stay. We'll see. I am almost positive that I will stay. Probably for the rest of my mission. Next transfer the new Visitors' Center director comes out (like a new mission president) and I really want to help him transition (because my position is like Assistant to the President to the Visitors' Center Director and I will be able to help a lot). Exciting things!

Well, I am out of time, but I love you. Thanks for your short email, mom. :)

I will talk to you soon enough! And I will have Thursday P-Day next week unless I get transferred (not likely).

I looooooooooooove you!

Love,

Sister Atkin