TERESA - Happy Christmas!
I had the BEST Christmas ever! It was an amazing time for us missionaries. First off we had our Christmas Tri-Zone Conference, the theme was Unity. I thought that was so smart of the mission to do at this time. With the merge and everything, the work has sometimes been thrown in all different directions! But it was helpful. We focused on how to begin teaching investigators from Preach My Gospel. Let me tell you, I'm going to read that more everyday of my mission! Because I want to become a Preach My Gospel missionary! Also at the conference Sister Daines, Sister Doyle, and I all sang “Angels We Have Heard on High”. We were all so nervous but it worked out, we got some good feedback so that's always a good sign, haha. Then we had this Christmas feast, it was so delicious! And then they surprised us by showing us the movie Remember the Titans! It was a lot o fun! We then read a Christmas story about the 4th wise man and then packages were given out. And let me tell you, boy did I feel loved! I got sooo many packages, I felt so spoiled! I think only one other missionary got as many as I did! But thank you sooo very much for everyone who sent me something! I LOVED it all!! It was an amazing day :)
We went to Bishop Murray's home on 23 of December. His wife, Tina, is Swedish and that's when they have their Christmas Eve. It was an amazing dinner and I LOVE spending time with them in their home! They are just so fun and loving. But on our Christmas Eve, the 24th , we went to Sister Julie Williams' home with the older missionary couple, Elder and Sister Ripplinger. It was a blast! The Williams' daughter Zooey, 19, is visiting and she is so great and totally funny! We had a great Christmas Tea! And then we went to the Christmas Eve Carol Service at the Stake Center. And of course, all us missionaries were asked to sing a song! We sang “Once in David's Royale City”. It went ok :) Then again, more people kept handing us little gifts. This ward is just sooo nice and generous!
Which brings us to Christmas day! We woke up and got ready and then opened all our gifties! What a fun time we had! Thank you again to everyone who sent something! It really made my Christmas that much more special, thank you! The Elders and us then went over to the Murray's again and watched Ice Age 3 and had a very tasty breakfast. Then they surprised us yet again with more presents from the ward! Geesh, the whole time I was thinking how spoiled us missionaries were!! Then we went to Clair and Lee Thomson's house and played Guitar Hero World Tour! It was totally awesome! Man, I hadn't played that game in ages! Then we went to Dennis and Avril Campbell's and they prepared an excellent Christmas Day Dinner for us all. And they also gave us stockings! She hand knitted me mittens! How nice! I've been really needing a pair too, and these are top quality made with love :) After that, we went to The Williams again and played board games while some of the missionaries talked on the phone. I was the last to speak and let me tell you, it was absolutely wonderful to talk to my family again! I don't think I realized how much I needed that. I talked to Mom, Dad, Steven, Sheila, and Erika first for about a half hour. (Already, not enough time! haha) It was great to hear them again and to get advice from them! I love you all so very much and I am sooo eternally grateful that every one of you is a part of my family! It would not be the same if even one of you were missing! Thank you so much for loving and supporting me in this experience!
Then, here comes the BEST part of the day..............talking to Rach!!!!! Man, that was everything to me to be able to do that! I love my sister so much and to be able to speak to her was unreal. It felt weird but at the same time it didn't, like we've never been apart. Talking with her helped me a lot to focus and try a lot harder on being a better missionary! Thank you so much Rach for inspiring me to be the best I can be! I love you!
After the phone calls, we all watched Toy Story 3 (which was amazing!). Let me tell you, we were all so worn out by the end of the day. I felt so loved by my Heavenly Father by Him giving me a loving and caring ward that takes care of their missionaries. I really felt like we were apart of their families that day. And also for giving me the best family ever back home and of course, Rach in Chorley! I love them with all of my heart and I know I am the person I am today because of their wonderful examples and influence to me. Thank you sooo much! I am so BLESSED!!
On Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, (big deal here in the UK) some of our Zone did service. Only 8 of us were there because others were too far away to come. We went to a Care Home. We shoveled and swept their driveways and car park and sang Christmas carols to the residents there. It was a lot of fun! You could see how much they enjoyed it by all the smiles on their faces and they were all singing along as well! It was a great feeling to know we brightened their day, even if it was just a little bit! And honestly, it took no time at all. So I encourage you all to try it some time, it is extremely rewarding! Then we went to Grant and Sara Campbell's for dinner. It was another Christmas feast! How wonderful! And since it was Boxing Day, the rules are different again so we watched a bit of The Singles Ward! My all time favorite Mormon movie! What a good day :)
Yesterday, We had a Zone Development Meeting till noon, which was really good. We centered our teaching all on the Book of Mormon and how we can use it more in our teaching. It was, as always, really helpful! Then we had a Zone Activity where we went to Burger King and then played Volleyball at the Church. Then we went out finding and had a lesson with Angie with the Shorts later that night! My oh my, what an exhausting fun few days it's been!
So we were ready and rearing to go! We are committed to being better missionaries and to find people! We are going to always look for ways to expand our teaching pool! Sis Daines and I are working on becoming Sacred Missionaries as well. My most lovely twin sissy sent me a copy of hers from her mission. And we just love it! It helps us and reminds us how we can be better always! I know that it is important to give it all you've got right now, because there won't be another time to do it. Like what Rach said, "I don't want to look back on my mission and regret anything." I want to know that I gave it all I had and more and nothing less. I am ready to work!
Thank you for all the love and support Rach and I have received from everyone! I love you all.
Love Always, Sister Teresa Kullick