What the...

...Gladsome Tidings?

Feliz Navidad, mis amigos y mi familia! Les quiero Mucho!

What a wonderful time of year. Lights on the houses, trees in the windows, Salvation Army workers ringing bells. Warmth and Sunshine every time you walk outside. Oh wait, that's just here in Florida.

However, we are still having a "white Christmas" because there was a baptism yesterday! The Elders' investigator got baptized! Yay! and even better (for me), two investigators were there to see it! Both Catholic, too. But not for long! Scott is getting baptized on the 31st! Happy New Year's Eve! (as long as he quits smoking by then (which he will (because he is progressing awesomely)))

Anyhoo.

This week was very exciting. We had exchanges on Tuesday. The West Palm Hermanas (Sister Sobkowicz and Sister Carnes) came down and we went on splits to practice an improved Harvesting approach. I went with Sister Sobkowicz (who is from Canada and is pretty much the best missionary ever) and we blessed 8 people/families in one hour! We invited two people to be baptized, one said yes. We blessed a woman who speaks only French/Creole and a man who only speaks Spanish. On the same street. We only met one white woman and she said we were arrogant, then let us pray with her, said "bless you, child" and then slammed her door on us. We got lots of return appointments and only got rained on a little bit. It was fantastic. The other two sisters met some great people also and we now have several new investigators because of it. Harvesting is so great!

Then on Friday, there was Specialized Training for all those in leadership positions (District Leader, Zone Leaders, Trainers). So Sister Hawkes went to that and I went with Sister Carnes and Sister Lake. We worked up in West Palm for the day. The area is pretty different from ours, but also similar. They have a lot of trailer parks. The first place we harvested was mostly English speakers (although I felt more at home when we found a woman from Haiti). Then we went to a trailer park to teach a lesson. Leave it up to the three newest sisters to teach a lesson entirely in Spanish. Good thing Sister Carnes is amazing now and Sister Lake has only been out of the MTC for 3 weeks. They were awesome. I said nothing. As usual when Spanish People are around. They did awesome and committed the investigators Brother to read the Book of Mormon. In the last trailer park we went to, we met more Spanish speakers. I was forced to do an approach entirely in Spanish and leave a Blessing in Spanish. It was pretty rough, but the older man on his bike was really nice and felt the Spirit. I'm sure that's the only way he could have known what I said.

We had an interesting experience this week. Right after Specialized training on Friday, we went to an appointment with an investigator who we've met with once and has a baptismal date. She hadn't read in the Book of Mormon, so we went through the introduction with her and then set up a calendar of the things she needed to do before baptism. She was really excited and even prayed at the end that she would be ready for that day. Then the next day, we got a text from her that said she didn't want to read about two different bibles. We responded that the Book of Mormon supports the Bible and they are both the word of God. Despite our efforts in trying to contact her (texts, phone calls, going to her house), she has not yet responded or allowed us to help her understand. I guess she didn't understand what we had been saying about the Book of Mormon, but hopefully we will be able to talk to her soon. We have used the calendar for two other investigators and it has helped them to feel more comfortable and motivated to be ready for their baptismal date. I know it can be an excellent way to keep them committed.

Our ward had a Christmas party this past Saturday. It was celebrations from around the world. We had tons of food from different places. None of our investigators could come, but there were lots of non-members there that we were able to talk to. Then there was a little program going along with the theme. Brazil had an exciting song and dance number that had a lot of unexpected participants (I just wouldn't expect the High Priest Group Leader, Bishop, Relief Society Presidency and others to dance. At all. It was pretty funny). We learned some about Christmas in Haiti, sang some songs and then the RS sang a song in Spanish. Then it was the missionaries' turn. We had prepared a musical number of "Once in Royal David's City" for Mission Conference, So we sang that. But first, I was coerced into playing a fiddle song. So I played "Bile 'em Cabbage Down," the old standby. It was pretty fun. Then we sang/played our practiced number.

Last night, we pulled over to the side of the road to make a phone call and decide where we were going when Suddenly a big black man appeared next to our car. Sister Hawkes freaked out and drove off. We were both pretty shaken. Then a few minutes later we get a phone call from one of our investigators, "that was me you all drove away from!" We were shocked. We felt really bad for not talking to him, but we were very startled by the sudden appearance of a dark figure. We apologized profusely, then laughed a ton. I still can't believe that happened. *shakes head in shame*

I hope it is a wonderful week. Don't be stressed about Christmas, that is totally not the point of the holiday. Christ is. Don't forget the wonderful things He has done for you and can do for you now.

Love and best wishes!

Sister Sheffield