When we come down the mountain we are going to roll...

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas! 

Sister Ylisaari and I were so spoiled by the members and our family. I wish that we could have taken a picture of all the treats that were given to us but we tried to just take a nibble and then pass it on to someone else. If we had kept it all it would cover our whole counter! Those typical New Year's resolutions will be mine and my companion's so that we don't roll down the mountain haha Sister Ylisaari received so much Finnish chocolate and it was so good. She also received many variations of this salty black licorice and she loves it but it's disgusting. I had to spit it out. I told her I'll just stick to eating the chocolate. 

It was a rough week for proselyting because people were so busy, out of town and with their families but it was still a really good week. We had some good lessons with the Furbush family. They, especially Amelia were really looking forward to the 6th of January for their baptism but we still need to cover some things and really make sure they are ready. Right now we're talking about the 16th and think they'll be ready by then :) In one of our recent lesson Chris said "I think it would be really cool if one day Amelia is a missionary" that was so sweet!

This week we visited with the family that is returning twice and had good lessons. Their son who is almost 9 is so smart and we've really enjoyed teaching him and the family the gospel. They've been coming to church and reading scriptures and all that good stuff.  We're so happy for them. 

Tuesday night we performed in the community live nativity again and on Christmas Eve we went caroling with our district to our less actives and investigators. That was so much fun. The night of Christmas we went to a retirement home to play bingo. We had such a great time this Christmas! It's so fun to see different family traditions and spend time with different families. I love Christmas and I know that we always can have the spirit of Christmas if we strive to come unto Christ. I found this poem in the December ensign and really liked it 

Christmas is not a day or a season, but a condition of heart and mind.

If we love our neighbors as ourselves; 

if in our riches we are poor in spirit and in our poverty we are rich in grace;

if our charity vaunteth not itself, but suffereth long and is kind;

if when our brother asks for a loaf, we give ourselves instead;

if each day dawns in opportunity and sets in achievement, however small--

then every day is Christ’s day and Christmas is always near.

James Wallingford 

The most important goals we can set for 2016 are goals to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you all will reflect on what you can do this upcoming year! 

With love,

Sister Richards 

Christmas morning!

Baking with the missionaries on Christmas Eve!

My gingerbread house :)

Christmas Eve we went caroling with the Elders and Sisters and we stopped at Amelia's family's house! :) 

We did the live nativity in the community again on Tuesday night!

Christmas morning!

We had a sleepover with the sisters in Christmas Eve