December Days

 ~Stake Conference Day~

The Sister's ward and our ward went to church together

so they rode to church with us and we came home together.
Afterwards, we took pictures.

Usually the Sisters go to church first, so we don't see them much on Sunday.

 

 I had never heard of Maxfield Chocolates, but while

I was out shopping the night before, I came across a box, so I got it

for Sister Maximum....just for fun!
She wanted it in her picture.

 

 This past week the Sisters were without a car.

On Saturday we did a Christmas Workshop with the Grandchildren

and were not available to give the Sister's a ride....

Here they are heading out to a some appointments on foot.

It was cold and raining. I felt so bad sending them off like that...

 

 These Sisters are working very hard.

You should be so proud of them....

(I'm getting extremely attached to them...)

 

 They are working hard but they still find moments

to express themselves.

 

 I caught Hermana Red Baron trying to snap a picture

of Belle....
 

 And despite their hard walking week,

they still snuck in a few laughs.
 

They are so looking forward to talking to their families on Christmas Day!

They are happy as larks today because they got their car back!

They REALLY appreciate having wheels after their walking week.

 

 It is a beautiful sunny day today.

They are off to the library to write and read email.

 

Two more packages arrived for the Sisters this morning.

One for Sister Maximum and one for Sister RB.

Sister RB told me to report, "Tell my sister-in-law that it was open!"

(She loves the orange sweater.)

Packages Arrived last Monday....

 Early this week Mike and I went to the Nativity Exhibit...

 this is how we found our missionaries when we got back home...

 

 They both got Christmas packages on the same day.

 

 They both felt very loved by their families.

 

 They loved all of the little gifts you sent.

 

And so did I. 

Thanks, Sister Red Baron!

(Bryndy...your letter came on the same day and your 

Sister has been getting your notes each morning when she gets up)



Thanks Dad

Yesterday we had a minor emergency.

A shower was in progress when the hot water handle

fell off with the water still running.

There was no way to turn off the water!

This caused quite a stir because Brother Whitley

was gone to do security guard duty at the Nativity.
There were frantic cries (mine), furrowed eyebrows,
and frowns of worry and bewilderment.

I didn't know how to fix it.
The roads were icy....
 and Mike couldn't leave his post anyway.
Oh no! What would we do?
Sister Red Baron sprang into action.

She knew which tool to use to turn off the water.

She knew which tool to use to put the handle back on.
She even knew how to use them.

She was my hero!!

She happily said, "My dad taught me how to use tools."

I've heard of boys being taught cooking skills for their missions,
but never of girls being taught "fixing" skills...until now.
Thanks Brother Red Baron,
without knowing it, you saved the day!

Crazy Weather Week in Texas

 On Monday I surprised Sister Red Baron with a 1/2 birthday since

she will be off her mission on her whole birthday.

 

She said her wish would be that she could find

lots of people to teach....

 

 We played a 5 minute birthday game.

They bounced balloons to see how many

lessons they would teach this week.

The count stopped when the balloon dropped to the ground. 

 

 The temperature was lovely on Monday....

 

 Notice the short sleeves....

 

The Hermanas had a Zone Meeting (after the b'day).

Sister Padlock was there!

They took this picture so she could make a

reappearance on the blog.

I miss her!

 

 This was taken on Tuesday morning.

The temperature was 80 degrees on Wednesday.
Thursday the temperatures dropped steadily all day long.
The freezing rain started around 6 p.m.

 

 This was taken around noon on Friday.

 

 

As you can see, everything is covered with ice.

 

 

The Hermanas got a call telling them not to go out to work today.

The college was closed for the day so I was home, too.

 



We went outside to take pictures for you.

 



The Hermanas decided to make cookies for the investigators

and members they have been working with.

 

They made Snickerdoodles.

 

 



The new companionship
seem very comfortable together.

 



And they are working well together.

 



Sister Maximum was trying to shake salt into the measuring spoon.

I got a good laugh out of that....

I asked her to do it again.

 

They have had a full day at home on this cold, icy day.

Here they are making a poster for the bulletin board at church

to encourage the members of the ward to

help them with missionary work.



Thanksgiving 2013

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

 

This picture was taken the day a package arrived...

This cheery sign has been hanging on the Sister's bedroom wall.

 



 As I was preparing our turkey and dressing this morning,

the Hermanas were hard at work in their bedroom studying.

They came out looking like pert missionaries,

so I followed them outside for a picture.

Today was a typical, cool, clear, crisp, perfect
Texas Thanksgiving Day!

 

The Hermanas had a "working Thanksgiving."

They went out in the late morning contacting people.

They are working hard to meet their mission goals.

They taught a couple of lessons on doorsteps...

then went to Thanksgiving dinner at 4 p.m. with some

members of their ward. They came home a little early, to plan...

because Thursday is their planning day.
Then after our family was gone and their planning was done,
they came out and told us about their day.

Hermana Maximum survived her first holiday away from home

and Hermana Red Baron is now a seasoned veteran missionary.
They both had a good day.



"I'm Warm Mom!"

Package arrived this morning!!

Sister Maximum is drinking a chocolate shake for lunch 

while wearing her warm scarves & mittens from home....
(I didn't have to work today, so I surprised the Sisters with lunch from Braums)



Sabbath Day

Today was an extra special day for the Hermanas

because "the engineers"  were baptized!

(That's what they called them when they first met them.) 

Sister Red Baron and Sister Padlock

had been teaching and fellowshipping them for several

months before she was transferred. Happily, Sister P was able to come back

for the special day. What a wonderful thing.

 

The baptism was supposed to take place

in the evening, but winter storms were predicted, so the time was moved

up to be held during the 3rd hour of their regular meeting block.

The Hermanas said the room was packed,

so the newest members of the ward received a warm welcome.

We are all so happy that Lilly & David took the first step

of the happy journey as members of Christ's true church.

This day will bless their lives forever!  

 

The winter storm never materialized, but it is frigid.

The Hermana's are off to brave the cold.

Sister RB and Sister M have dressed in layers...

they say they are wearing at least 2 pairs of everything

to keep warm as they look for people to teach tonight.

(We found some gloves for those bare hands just after this was taken)

They are very dedicated to the work of the Lord.

It has been a wonderful Sabbath Day! 

Weather Report

Sister Maximum and Sister Red Baron are cold!

Yesterday the temperature was 73 degrees.

It dropped 20 degrees in less than 2 hours last night. 

 

Sister RB is eating ramen noodles for breakfast.... 

 She says warm feet are essential!

 

 The Sisters are trying to eat healthy...

 

 

 (Does this make up for the half gallon of ice cream they ate in 4 settings?)

They are watching their training video this morning

while they make pumpkin bread to take to their

investigators.

 

Baking is a good way to warm up on a cold day....

 

 Such is the life of a missionary!