LA HERMANA DEARDEN!! December 22, 2015

Hey y'all! smile emoticon

It's been a really fun week! I love this trio! Here's the fun facts on my 2 new companions:

Hermana Moss (co-trainer)
-has been on her mission for 5 months
-from West Point, Utah
-was VP of her class and friends with everyone
-loves cats
-is super hilarious
-has to have at least one milkshake a week

Hermana Rigby (trainee)
- from Idaho Falls, Idaho
-basically a real life disney princess
-plays the piano and sings really well
-loves cats even MORE than Hermana Moss
-won Miss Congeniality at a beauty pageant

Last week after Hermana Venegas left I was given a temporary companion and got to go visit the Bishop from my first ward here. When he opened the door he shouted, "LA HERMANA DEARDEN!" and was just so surprised and happy to see me. His wife was like, "What happened to you?! When you were here we could barely even understand you and now you speak spanish perfectly!" It made me feel so good and happy and loved. It was so fun to catch up with them!

Also on Sunday we did a musical number for Relief Society in sacrament meeting. I got to play my flute for it. It actually turned out really good! After one of the members came up and said, "what am I going to do when you leave? you have really become a part of the ward." It was so sweet! I love these people here so much!

We had a miracle on Sunday night. We were out caroling and not really feeling it. We got attacked by several dogs and that just made it worse! Then we went to a house and the lady, Angie, let us in! We taught her the message of the Restoration and she was in tears when Sister Rigby shared the first vision. She said that she had never thought about it but that it made so much sense. Some elders knocked on her door 20 years ago and she said that she wasn't ready then but she feels like she is now. She thanked us for coming and told us that we were her angels. It was such a real reminder to me that there really are prepared people out there and that miracles really do happen! It was a miracle for her and a miracle for us! I'm so grateful that we kept trying even after being rejected and attacked by dogs! It was so worth it.

I love this Christmastime and am so grateful for the time to reflect on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. His birth changed everything. He is the greatest gift that has even been given and the greatest gift that can ever be received. I am filled with gratitude and love. May we take a moment to reflect on the impact that the birth of the Savior has had on each of our lives.

With love,
Hermana Dearden