Happy New Year!

We now know what a Vermont snow squall is.  I guess it’s in all of New England but we thought it was weird when we would get this weather warning on our phone and it would tell us about a “snow squall” that was coming through.  We were glad we got home before it hit.  A snow squall is a fast moving snow storm with winds that moves through really suddenly and fast.  Here’s what it looks like:  (I wish the motion on these photos would post but alas it doesn’t)

On New Years Eve Ken got an opportunity to golf.  I’ll let him post about that: For a new Years party me and two of the YSA's went golfing! There is a golf simulator here called GONZO's and it's really fun. We were able to pick from 100 courses and we picked Pebble Beach...the owner told us that most people make the same choice. You take your own clubs and the shots for me were just as hard and real as live golf. Jordan goes to BYH (Hawaii) and was heading back the next day so it was real good to see him.

L to R:  Stowe, Jordan and Ken

We had our traditional New Years Eve dinner of crab and added lobster, but it wasn’t quite as much fun without all of you.  I hope we can have a crab fest again one of these years! And I actually stayed up to usher in the New Year.  2020 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER!

I had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting the last week of the year.  I felt very inspired to speak about the Book of Mormon and the power that it can give us in our lives.  If you haven’t read the January Ensign you really should take a few minutes.  I have decided that more power in my life is something I truly need.  And while I may not need the power to move a mountain--it feels like moving a mountain just to get myself to do the things that I want to do to be a better person.  So I need more power in my life.  I have set some study goals this year on the study app of Gospel Library.  You should check it out because it works GREAT--at least so far it has.  And I feel more power in my life to do the things that I want to do and to testify of Jesus Christ.

I want to share a miracle we have had in the branch.  I won’t name names so as not to compromise anyones privacy  The very first baptism we had in the branch in October was a young woman who was SO happy and glowed with the joy of finding Jesus Christ in her life.  And then like often happens after we experience a great spiritual experience, she found herself facing a lot of trials.  She began missing church.  And then she stopped responding to messages and texts.  Then last Sunday in Branch Council we learned that she had decided to attend a different church.  I was heartbroken but recognized that it happens.  Well, when I woke up Monday morning, the first thing that came up on my facebook feed was a post from her.  She had met with the missionaries Sunday night--supposedly for one last time, and what do you know? The spirit was so strong with these young missionaries because they had spiritually prepared and this young woman wept and told them that it is only here in THIS church that she has felt that spirit and she decided to come back.  I cried I was so grateful.  I can still cry about it just writing about it.  I love being here and love serving with these young missionaries.  They are truly amazing.  I think I’ve said that a few times.😂

On Monday we got to have a special P-day with the whole district.  They voted to go bowling so bowlng we went!  Elder Swenson actually won--much to the chagrin of the Elders.  I actually bowled all 10 frames!  (I was sore later)  It’s so great to watch these missionaries having fun together!  

L to R: Elder Martin, Elder Hatt, Elder Edstrom, Elder Jensen, Sister Hendricks, Sister Worthington, Sister Harrison, Sister Campbell, Ken, Elder Stuart, Elder Elzinga

Elder Edstrom won his lane.  He wasn’t happy that Elder Swenson beat him😂

This was the posed shot after myy one and only strike!

Yesterday we drove to the Great Northern Kingdom (Newport and Lyndonville) to inspect missionary apartments.  The great Northern Kingdom (GNK) is actually what they call an area of northern Vermont.  It’s kinda cute.  And of course it was much more wintery than what we have here in Essex.  There are SO MANY ski resorts here!!  Every time we go around a corner we see another one!  Vermont is a relatively small state that has 20 ski resorts.  You guys should all come in the winter!  While we were there we drove around to visit some of our young adult branch members and came across this adorable covered bridge.

Millers Run Bridge
Built 1878
Restored 1935

I’m loving the mission more and more.  We are finding more ways to be useful and growing together spiritually.  This year we are reading the Old Testament together and we are already almost done with Genesis.  We are teaching “Pearl of Great Price” for institute and learning a lot doing that.  We had a huge group last week at institute because of so many kids home for the holidays. I fear that this week we will have a small group but that’s ok.  We love the ones who come and learn with us.  We hope you are all healthy and happy and that this year will be the best year ever for you!