Dear everyone, :)
Crazy stuff this week! Well, first of all, Christmas was amazing! To start off the week, we got to go caroling with all the missionaries in our zone; we rode in the back of a trailor while some Elders went running around knocking on people's doors. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were both great. We went to a member of our Stake Presidency's house on Christmas Eve, and he had a lot of nonmembers there. At the end of the night, we all sang Christmas carols around the piano. I felt like I was in a Hallmark movie. :)
We woke up Christmas Day to new snow--Sister Thatcher's first white Christmas!! It snowed all day and night that day. We got to skype at our Bishop's house, which, of course, was amazing. :) Oh, and for the first time, I got to see, "Frozen!" Super cute! <3
Christmas night, all three YSA wards put on a free Christmas dinner for all those who were still going to be here but without a place to go. We didn't have a ton of people come, but there were a few. Our new investigator, Bryan, came...!! (actually we found out yesterday that he has already been baptized into our church AND given the Priesthood...? I don't think he really fully understands what that means, though.....)
So as I told you last week, Sister Thatcher's visa came....!!! Her flight leaves today--she's really excited. :) So Saturday afternoon, we spent some time packing her stuff. Then at 8:00, we got a call from President Brown, who told us, "Both of you pack your bags, you're coming down here to the mission home tomorrow!" I was a little surprised--I really thought they would just put me in a tripanionship with the Sisters I lived with for the week. It's crazy and complicated, but one of the Sisters in this ward is going home a few days before the transfer, so right now I 'm in a tri, but for the last few days of the transfer, I'll be in a regular companionship. Oh, and did I mention--I'm back in Fort Collins again for the week!! (different ward, though... :)) Who knows what will happen this Tues for transfers...?
I just want to leave you all with my testimony that this truly is the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored to the Earth by Him. I am grateful beyond anything I can express for who He is and for what He has done for me. I know that He loves us so much, and He understands everything about us. Take comfort in that--I have felt it.
Love,
Sister Budge
p.s. we visited these less actives who had a pet snake and were pet-sitting this skunk...! (don't worry-it was desensitized... :)) more pics on the way!