Merry Christmas!! (12/23/2013)

Hey Everyone!!

So this past week was pretty good/fun!!  We had two lessons this past week. One of them was with Shawnessy! She's a nine year old little girl that's going to get baptized in January! Her mother is a less active in the ward that's returning :)  We taught them about tithing. The lesson went really well and I think it was really good for her mom too!  We committed them both to start living the law of tithing :)  Then later in the week we had a lesson with Erin. We covered the lesson on service and how service on her part can help her to gain happiness and overcome the trials that are in her life.

Erin has a lot of issues though that she has to deal with being that she is a 20 year old single mother. These trust issues are blocking her from progressing. She hasn't been to church since I have been in the area. So we are trying to work super hard to help her over come these trust issues so that she'll come to church. 

So this past Saturday we were able to go to the ward Christmas party and have a lot of fun! They did a talent show and had a lot of musical talents. My favorite one though was the Teacher's quorum. For those of you who remember the TV show "Between the Lions" and the "Smarty pants skit" they used to do?  Well, they did something similar to that. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up on YouTube because its to hard to describe.  Ha.

There was great food and treats and music. It was super fun :) Then, the best part is that we were able to drop off presents to those in our ward that needed them most :)

Sorry, this one is going to be suuuper short this week. We did a lot of less active and member work and it was mostly just getting to know them and building a relationship with them before the end of the year. (see last email).

Well I love you all! I hope you all have a great Christmas week and have a Merry, Merry Christmas!

-Elder Gold

The 4 Amigos! Elders Lanham, Manning, Gold and Bates

Missionary GQ

Sharlene Wells-Hawks came to speak at a Christmas devotional.  Ironically enough, Mark has a picture with Sharlene Wells and his companion from his mission.  I guess she is still making the rounds 25 years later.